Lack of Runs Stop Hawks From Backing Barrett’s Strong Start

2023-07-14

Losing 3-1 to the Falcons, the Riverhawks couldn’t make a rally happen

By Cody F. Schmidt

The Edmonton Riverhawks had an incredibly solid game against the Kelowna Falcons, but they just couldn’t muster the runs they needed for the win. Losing 3-1, the Hawks still featured a fantastic start by #18 Riley Barrett.

After a quiet first third of the game, fortunes favoured the Riverhawks as the scored their only run in the 4th. A two out walk to #12 Evan Overmars was immediately cashed in as #36 Jakob Poturnak nailed a triple, his second game in a row with a three bag hit.

It was an absolutely commanding performance on the mound by Barrett tonight. With multiple 1-2-3 innings, and a three strikeout 3rd, it seemed like the Falcons couldn’t do anything to get ahead of Barrett. Riley was economical with his pitches, working to induce soft contact and backed up by his infield defence. Passing the fifty pitch mark to start his 5th inning, Barrett tossed an 85 pitch game including single-digit pitches in the 1st and 5th. With an E6 interruption midway through his 4th, Barrett otherwise would have retired eleven Falcons in a row between the 2nd and 5th.

Riley’s first struggles came in the 6th, as a leadoff single was followed by an E1 that allowed the lead runner to advance to third. That runner would get home on a wild pitch to tie the game, then a sac fly would plate a second run tarnishing Barrett’s solid start. Coming back in the 7th, Barrett would only give up a hit before tossing three strikeouts in an inning for the second time in the game. Barrett’s final line would end up as 7.0 innings, with eight strikeouts, two runs, one of which was earned, four hits, and no walks. Even though the Falcons pulled ahead in the 6th, it was Barrett’s second incredibly strong start in a row after he held Kelowna scoreless for 6.0 his last time up.

Manager Jake Lanferman called on #33 Halen Knoll to make his now customary relief appearance between starts. Knoll gave up a one-out single, and the runner came around to score after steal and another base hit. It was an uncharacteristic inning for the normally locked-in Knoll, but he escaped the inning with only one allowed run.

While the Riverhawks couldn’t make it happen tonight, they’ll play again with Kelowna tomorrow, with a 7:35pm MST first pitch. You can follow along batter-by-batter at @RiverhawksGames or watch along on WCL Live. Follow the Riverhawks on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to see what’s coming in the next home stand, and come to RE/MAX Field after visiting tickets.gohawks.ca.