The Prince George LTN Contracting Peewee Knights won three of five games, losing two one-run games, in a busy May long weekend trek to the Okanagan.

 

On Saturday, the Knights, the all-star team of 2000/2001-born players in the Prince George Youth Baseball Association, handled the Rutland Rays by scores of 16-5 and 19-2, both games ending after five innings.

 

Lefty Raymond Prive was the winning pitcher in the first game, with Zach Swanson earning the victory in the second game. Tommy Kreitz and Ryan Hampe, a pair of left-handed hitters, blasted home runs in the second game.

 

On Sunday, the Knights played two games against the Vernon Canadians, splitting the double-header. In the opener, the Knights won 4-2 as Ajay Nickolet of Mackenzie fanned seven, allowing just four hits and walking none, in six innings. Centre fielder Ryan Hampe was 2-3 with two runs driven in, a run scored, and two key catches in the outfield in the final inning with Vernon threatening.

 

In the later game, which ended in near-darkness, the Knights surrendered six runs in the bottom of the seventh to fall 16-15 in a slugfest that saw the Knights outhit the Canadians 15-11. Matt Siemens was the losing pitcher in relief of Ryan Hampe, Seth Lapre and Liam Campbell.

 

On Monday, in the last of the five games, a walkoff homer by Dawson Chase of Vernon gave the home team another come-from-behind win, 13-12. The combined seven walks given up by pitchers Quinten Astorino and Zach Swanson helped Vernon overcome impressive home runs by Ajay Nickolet and Brevin Gervais, the latter measured at 340 feet.

 

"We're happy we outhit the opposition in every game, the approach the kids have at the plate is much improved and we did a very good job offensively," said coach Jim Swanson. "Our defence was not as sharp as it's capable of being, no concerns there at this point because we know it's a strength, but our pitchers need to be ready to battle through tough stretches. Baseball is not easy, it's a tough game that you have to rise above adversity. Vernon is a very good team, a well-coached team, that has beaten some of the best teams in the province this year."

 

Nickolet ended the weekend with 12 hits, and Mikey Schwab had five extra-base hits and was perfect in six stolen base attempts.

 

The Knights are finalizing plans to have Vernon visit Prince George on the June 15-16 weekend, with details to be announced, but will likely mean two games Saturday evening and two Sunday morning, at Spruce City Stadium, a preview of the provincials later in the summer.

 

The next action for the Knights is a short turnaround -- in Burnaby this coming weekend at the prestigious John Main Memorial Classic tournament, featuring 16 of the best peewee teams in the province, including Vernon. The Knights face Vancouver Minor on Friday at 6 pm, then play White Rock at noon on Saturday followed by a 6 pm game with Newton, all games at Kensington Park. Pool winners advance to the playoffs.

 

The Knights are the host team for the AAA Peewee Provincial Championship, the crown jewel of the B.C. Minor Baseball Association championship series. That event goes Aug. 8-11 at Spruce City Stadium, the first time that park will have a mound installed.

 

Players on the Knights for this weekend were Seth Lapre, Ryan Hampe, Quinten Astorino, Mikey Schwab, Zach Swanson, Matt Siemens, Tommy Kreitz, Brevin Gervais, Liam Campbell, Raymond Prive and Ajay Nickolet. Brett Mero and Soren Erricson were unable to make the weekend series. Coaches are Jim Swanson, Denny Astorino, Brad Kreitz, Keith Hampe, Todd Schwab and Ray Siemens.

 

For more information, contact Jim Swanson, 778-349-0570, or see boxscores at the team website, www.ballcharts.com/PGpeeweeKnights   Stats will be posted following the John Main tournament.