By Larry Read

The Edmonton Riverhawks brought out the offense as they lambasted the host Nanaimo NightOwls 15-4 to open up their final 2024 West Coast League regular season series. The game was played Monday (Aug 5) at Serauxman Stadium.

The Riverhawks (now 13-12 in the second half and 31-21 overall) scored seven runs in the eighth inning and pounded out 14 hits. Nanaimo’s slim post season chances were dashed with the loss in this one as they fell to 13-12 in the second half and 25-27 overall. The victory was the Riverhawks fourth in a row on their nine-game road trip.

Despite 15 runs and 14 hits, none of the Riverhawks runs came off home runs.

In that eighth inning, Edmonton sent 13 men to the plate. Offensively, the Riverhawks were led by # 25 Trey Dunn. Dunn was 4-5 with two runs scored and 3 RBI. #51 Royce Hale was 2-5 with two runs scored and 3 RBI. #12 Rex Waston was 3-5 with two runs scored and 3 RBI. While #1 Kaden Zarowny was 2-4 with two runs scored and 2 RBI. #25 Drew Rutter paced the NightOwls going 3-5.

Edmonton starter #18 Riley Barrett was very solid. He pitched four hit ball over five innings striking out nine, walking one and giving up no hits for his first victory of the WCL season. He was the first of four pitchers utilized by the Riverhawks. Nanaimo starter #48 Moosa Nonomiya was tagged with the loss. He went three innings giving up four runs, on three hits and striking out three. He is 0-1.

The teams will play game two of their series Tuesday (Aug 6). Opening pitch is at 7:35 PM MST. You can watch it free on https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv. The three game set winds up Wednesday (Aug 7).