Kelowna Falcons

Falcons Host Pippins

For the first time in franchise history the Falcons will host the Yakima Pippins for a three game series beginning tonight at Elks Stadium.

The Falcons (6-9) are coming off a 5-2 win in Corvallis on Sunday afternoon, concluding a six game road swing in which they finished 3-3.

Scotland Church tallied nine hits on the road trip and now leads the club with 21 on the season, second most in the West Coast League.  Church also is tied with Kevin Biro with seven RBIs.

Speaking on Biro, the UBC junior is starting to swing a hot bat.  He collected five hits on the trip and hit .363 during the Corvallis series.

Trey Kamachi recorded four hits in the last two games against the Knights along with two RBIs and is now hitting .271 on the summer.

This series with the Pippins (6-6) will be another good test for the Falcons hitters.  The visitors own the second best ERA in the WCL at 3.09.  They have allowed the second least amount of hits (96) and third least amount of earned runs (36).

That said the Pippins have played just 12 games, the fewest in the league and are 5-5 in their last 10.

On the flip side the Falcons pitching staff will need to settle in early.  The staff currently leads the league with 95 walks and their ERA is sitting at 6.20.  They do however have 113 punch outs, fourth most.

Kevin Flemer will get his second start of the season and makes his home debut tonight.  The Oregon State Beaver has a lot of excitement around him this summer.

The Falcons pitching staff will be in tough against the Pippins offense.  Their slugging percentage is fifth highest at .764, and they hit .262 as a team with 15 doubles and seven homers.  Reid Martinez leads their club hitting .400 with 14 hits and six RBIs.

The Pippins have won four of their last six games, all of which against the Klamath Falls Gems who have the worst record in the WCL.  They are 3-3 on the road this season.

First pitch tonight is at 6:35pm.  Game 2 goes Wednesday, the first 150 fans will receive a complimentary autographed baseball.  Thursday night at 6:35pm is the Fire Burn Night with members of the Kelowna Fire Department on hand, along with the Costco Kids Corner filled with bouncy castles and face painting. Then following the game a huge fireworks display.  All ticket sales will be donated to the BC Fire Burn Fund.

Scotland Church photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

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