Everything Comes Together For Hawks To Finish Road Trip With A Win

2023-06-25

A huge 3rd inning helps as the Hawks take a 14-2 W

By Cody F. Schmidt

The Edmonton Riverhawks refused to head home without a win, buoyed by a seven run third inning and a stellar start on the mound from #33 Halen Knoll. The 14-2 victory over the Nanaimo NightOwls saw every member of the starting lineup not only get on base, but also come home as a run.

The first Hawks run came in the 2nd, as #9 Skyler Chang hit a sac fly to score #10 Jonny McGill. The real action came in the 3rd, as the Riverhawks sent out thirteen batters in the inning, with RBI for #15 Daniel Calabrese, #2 Jack Wheatley, #6 Brett Ott, and a huge three run homer for #42 Tom Poole. Combining for seven runs on three walks, six hits, and a hit batter, it was a fantastic inning for the Riverhawks which helped put the game out of reach.

The offence didn’t end there for Edmonton, in the 6th pinch hitter #36 Jakob Poturnak crushed a double to the left field corner, scoring Poole. In the 7th the Riverhawks hit double digits in the run column. With the bases loaded, McGill belted a double up the third base line, scoring Wheatley and #31 Christian Grino who had pinch hit earlier in the inning.

The Hawks weren’t done yet, driving up the score more in the 9th. The NightOwls walked the bases loaded, then McGill cracked a double to score Ott and Grino. The 9th should have ended shortly after, but a bobbled ball that was then overthrown by the Owls instead allowed #34 Nico Libed to come home for the fourteenth run.

Knoll added to his already impressive season with another 6.0 innings of work today. Limiting the NightOwls to only two runs and four hits, his ERA doesn’t take a hit as his 5th inning was only extended to allow runs due to an error. Knoll now has 33.0 innings pitched on the season, leading the league in IP as well as strikeouts with his twenty-nine tossed.

#16 Tylor Jans kept the pace as he carried the game, tossing 2.0 innings while only allowing a walk in the 8th. Key to the win, Jans has been one of the Hawks’ top arms out of the pen, capable of going multiple innings while also limiting opponent’s offence. #40 Shaun Atamanchuk finished the game up in the 9th with an easy inning, allowing just one hit.

This was a well needed win for the Riverhawks, as it stops a seven game losing streak, and brings the Hawks home with a win. The team returns to RE/MAX Field for a nine game home stand on Tuesday June 27. The Hawks will welcome the Bellingham Bells for a three game set that’s kicked off with a Delayed Dad’s Day game. Come down to the park by grabbing your seat at tickets.gohawks.ca.