By Cody F. Schmidt

The Edmonton Riverhawks are now 2-0 when they transform into the Silver City Dragons, as this afternoon they beat the Victoria HarbourCats 5-2. This win puts the Hawks 9-5 on the season and gives them their first chance at a sweep this season.

It took just two batters for the Riverhawks to get on the board, as #3 Michael Soper led off the game with a stand-up triple, then #36 Jakob Poturnak golfed a single up the middle for an RBI. Sopers triple ran all the way to the corner in left, missing the outstretched arms of the HarbourCats’ diving left fielder.

In the 6th the Hawks added on some insurance starting with a leadoff HBP to #1 Kaden Zarowny. Stealing second base, Zarowny stumbled and briefly stepped of the bag to be called out. The ensuing confirmation from the umpires was enough to get manager Jake Lanferman ejected from the game. Emboldened, the Hawks kept pressing on the Cats, Soper was walked, then stole a pair of bags to end up on third, then Poturnak was also given a free bag. #15 Jonny McGill cracked a 2 RBI double to left field, scoring both runners, and then #35 Trent Lenihan foilowed up the runs by singling to right for an RBI of his own. Lenihan would steal second and move to third on a wild pitch so that #9 Mahidutt Tabata could send him home with a sac fly.

Starter #32 Vicarte Domingo established himself early, with a 1-2-3 1st and a pair of strikeouts. He continued through the 2nd setting the HarbourCats down in order, only allowing his first baserunner in the 3rd on a walk. Only allowing his first hit in the 4th, Domingo kept dealing for all 6.0 innings he spent on the mound. Buoyed by an early lead, Vicarte ended up tossing 7 strikeouts in the game. Only allowing a single hit, it’s the third strong start in a row for Domingo, establishing a name for himself as a Riverhawk.

After Domingo’s quality start, #46 Michael Yusypchuk made his Riverhawks debut. with a walk in the 7th he would end up doubling off the runner thanks to a slick nab at third by Poturnak and keep the frame clean on just ten pitches. Working even faster in the 8th, Yusypchuk tossed just seven pitches, striking out a pair. The final frame belonged to #40 Hayden Morrison

The final game of the home stand goes tomorrow afternoon, where the Riverhawks will aim for a Father’s Day sweep! Wearing retro Edmonton Trappers jerseys, the Hawks have their eyes set on the North Division lead, just behind the Wenatchee AppleSox. Get your spot for the dad’s day matinee or any other home game this season at gohawks.ca/tickets.