Eight Duncan Masters hitters were issued free passes to first base, while only three Wheatsheaf batters were as lucky, but when the dust settled at Waldon Park after the Nanaimo Senior Men’s Fastball League game on May 16, walks were a non-factor and Wheatsheaf prevailed 9-4.
Duncan pitcher Sam Aldridge allowed only three walks, but unfortunately they all came back-to-back-to-back in the fifth inning, with a double on either side, and Wheatsheaf scored four runs on just two hits. That was Aldridge’s lone bad inning, but it ended up playing a major factor in determining the game’s outcome.
Trevor Gicas had the host team’s best outing at the plate, going 1-for-1 with a one-run homer in the third inning and walking twice, to finish with two runs. Dave Willey was 1-for-3, and Kevin Kolk and Ryan Kline were 1-for-4.
For Wheatsheaf, New Zealand import Jared Russell finished a triple shy of the cycle and knocked in three runs.
On the previous Thursday, the same teams met in Cedar, and Duncan won 8-6 despite being outhit 11-10.
Dave Devana led the Duncan attack, going 2-for-4 with two runs, while Jamie Gicas was 2-for-4 with one run. Also putting up 2-for-4 totals were Trevor Gicas and Willey. Tylor Branzsen reached base when he was hit by a pitch and walked, and scored both times. Pitching duties for Duncan were handled by Craig Snyder.
The Duncan Masters play at Waldon Park in Glenora every Tuesday at 7 p.m.