Burnaby Falls a Game Short Losing 12-5 to White Rock & 3-0 to Tri City

The Burnaby Braves lost two games Sunday at the Baseball BC Provincial Qualifier and missed on an opportunity to qualify for the provincials in Kamloops. In the opener, the Braves took a first inning lead on a Michael Briglio single; however White Rock would claw runs back and held a 3-2 lead after four innings before opening the game up in the fifth and coasting to the 12-5 win. Daniel Martin was effective on the mound, giving the Braves a chance to stay in the game. The loss put the Braves up against the Tri City Indians with the winner advancing to Kamloops. The game was scoreless into the 6th; however, the Braves would make three critical defensive mistakes and the Tribe would score three runs over the final two innings on only one hit to secure the 3-0 win. Kaz Kada was outstanding on the mound, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing only three hits, no walks, and struck out five. The Braves only managed one hit in the game and five on the day, certainly not enough to get it done offensively. That said, the nine and half man club gave everything they had all weekend and put themselves in a position Sunday to acheive their goal, something the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th placed clubs were unable to attain. The Braves will play an exhibition game against Vancouver Community Wednesday and take the rest of the week off before ramping up for the BC Minor Provincial Championship in Nanaimo. The Braves appreciate the attendance of AA player Tim Ellen who sat on the bench most of the weekend in case of an injury or ejection to the nine man squad.