By Cody F. Schmidt

Behind the Kelowna Falcons early, the Edmonton Riverhawks turned the game around to end up victorious. In the 11-4 win, the Hawks combined for 12 hits and exploded for a ton of insurance runs in their final inning at bat. While the early couple of innings had a couple struggles for the pitching staff, relievers locked in in the back half to keep the Falcons off the board.

It was #7 Tommy Takayoshi with today's first Edmonton RBI, singling in the bottom of the 2nd, after #35 Jonny McGill walked and #35 Trent Lenihan was hit by a pitch. Takayoshi then came around to score as well, as #12 Rex Watson hit a ground rule double that sailed into the soggy warning track in left field. The Hawks would keep up the pressure to claim the lead, with a #3 Michael Soper single that sent home both Watson and #1 Kaden Zarowny.

Retaking the lead in the bottom of the 5th, Soper walked to lead off the inning, then was brought home on a #36 Jakcob Poturnak single and a #5 Bryce McFeely sac fly. The rally wasn’t over, as #15 Jonny McGill then belted a hit to right-centre, scoring Poturnak.

The Hawks were at it again in the 7th, with Soper leading off with a bouncing single, and Poturnak being held at second thanks to a warning track shot that was called a ground rule double. This time though, the Riverhawks were unable to plate any runs, unlike the 8th. In the penultimate inning, #47 William Vasseur started with a walk, followed by Watson’s single. After a pitching change another pair of walks loaded the bags, then sent home Vasseur for free. The Hawks continued to stack on the runs, a wild pitch scored Watson, then McFeely singled to send home Soper. The five-run inning finished with Lenihan singling to score a pair of RBI.

The Falcons struck first for the second game in a row, grabbing a trio of runs in the 1st off #41 Andrew Yusypchuk. Despite two quick outs to begin the inning, Kelowna dug in for a pair of ground rule doubles and three walks that put them ahead in the initial inning. Yusypchuk would be relieved after those three runs with 0.2+ IP. The 1st would be finished by #2 Austin Egan, who would work a swinging strikeout to let the Riverhawks bat. Egan would then have two more clean innings, finishing his appearance at 2.2 IP, one walk, two strikeouts and two hits.

Coming in after one out in the 4th, #8 Matt Ridsdale shut down the Falcons to end the frame. Then Ridsdale returned in the 5th with a pair of swift outs before a pair of singles and a hit batter got him into trouble. A walk to a pinch hitter tied the game, before the top of the 5th was shut with a groundout. #23 Brady Kobitowich got the 6th, and shut the door to have a 1-2-3 inning, then did it again in the 7th. Tossing the 8th #27 Brendan Loeppky walked a pair, but no one crossed home for Kelowna. #13 Kai Fyke finished the game off with a sterling 9th inning and a K.

The Riverhawks get an off day on Thursday, then are back in action with the last series of this home stand on Friday, June 14. Donning special Swifties jerseys, the team will celebrate a Taylor Swift dance party on the field after the final out. The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the YWCA during the game. Get your spot at gohawks.ca/tickets and come out to RE/MAX Field for a thrilling game against the Victoria HarbourCats, and then jam out on the field afterwards.