NorthPaws Sneak Ahead of Riverhawks in Game 1

2025-06-13

Despite back-to-back jacks, the Hawks bungle a lead to Kamloops

By Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC---

Friday the 13th proved to be unlucky for the Edmonton Riverhawks. The Riverhawks dropped a 5-1 lead and fell to the hometown Kamloops NorthPaws 8-6 in the opener of their weekend West Coast League series at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.

The NorthPaws scored twice in the bottom of the 8th inning en route to victory as they improved to 8-5 on the season. The Riverhawks, who outhit Kamloops 12-5 on the night fall to 6-4 on the year.

Edmonton scored three runs in the 1st inning. Leadoff hitter #6 Robert Phelps singled and scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring. #13 Grant Yzermans followed with a single of his own and crossed the plate on an RBI single from the red hot #35 Trent Lenihan. Lenihan would score the Riverhawks third run on an RBI single off the bat of #36 Mitchell Middlemiss. Middlemiss was 3 for 4 with an RBI on the night. Lenihan was 1for 5 with an RBI and a run scored.

In the 3rd inning, the Riverhawks hit back-to-back homers. #16 Kyle Yip got it started and was followed by the next batter #32 Jason Green. It was the second round trippers of the year for both Edmonton players.

The NorthPaws earned their first run in the bottom half of the 3rd making the score 5-1. Kamloops added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to 5-3.

The Riverhawks regained a three-run lead in the top of the 7th. Yip hammered a two out triple and later plated on a wild pitch to make it 6-3. Yip was 2 for 3 with two runs scored.

But things fell apart for Edmonton in the bottom of the 8th, Kamloops sent nine players to the dish in that inning. #2 Austin Egan came on in relief to start the inning for the Riverhawks. After #45 Mason Chien was hit by a pitch and scored tying things at 6. Egan promptly gave up a RBI single to the next batter, pinch hitter #5 Kalen Applefield which gave Kamloops their first lead of the ball game.

Egan was replaced by #10 Tanner Levba with the bases loaded. Levba wound up walking #1 Connor Clark who brought home #7 Cade Palkowski to make it 8-6. Egan was tagged the loss going a 0.1 innings, surrendering three runs on two hits and striking out one.

#31 Nolan Austin went 5.0 innings to pick up his first victory of the season coming on in relief of starter #13 Sawyer Jensen. Austin pitched a four hitter, striking out three and giving up a run. # 20 Julio Garcia came on in the 9th to garner the save. #55 Carson Latimer got the start for Edmonton. He pitched the first four innings. He gave up three runs on two hits, striking out seven and walking two.

With the decision Friday, The Riverhawks have an all-time record of 10-9 against the Interior BC squad.

The Riverhawks and NorthPaws will continue their series on Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium tomorrow night, first pitch is 7:35 PM MDT. You can watch the game live at https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/. The scheduled pitchers are # 44 Owen Combs for the Riverhawks while the NorthPaws will counter with #10 Landon Gutierrez. Combs goes to Mt. Hood Community College while Gutierrez goes to Ranger College.

Next home action for the Riverhawks is Tuesday, June 17th when the Bellingham Bells come in for another three-game set at RE/MAX Field. The opening pitch is 7:05 PM MDT. It's Life’s a Beach, Aloha Night. There will be Limbo contests, hula dancing, Jimmy Buffet jams, a special Hawaiian Hawk Tropic bevy. Teachers who show their ATA card at the box office will get a ticket to the contest for half price. It will also be Toonie Tuesday.

Head over to tickets.gohawks.ca to grab yourself a seat. Follow along with the game at @RiverhawksGames on X and keep up with everything happening with the Hawks on Instagram, Facebook, @EdmRiverhawks, and TikTok. See all the latest news at riverhawksbaseball.com.