Kelowna Falcons

Offence Silenced

KELOWNA, B.C. – The Kelowna Falcons couldn’t muster up any offence in a 2-0 loss to the Ridgefield Raptors to conclude their three-game series on Sunday night at Elks Stadium.

Pitching was the name of the game as both sides had their starter rolling throughout the first part of the game. Jonathan Clark made his second start of the season for the Falcons and tossed the ball well, striking out the side in the 2nd inning. 

Kelowna used a Dan Pruitt double in the first inning, coupled with a throwing error, to get him to 3rd base with two outs but was unable to be brought home. Left handed pitcher Cameron Benbrook dealt well for the Raptors, cruising through the first few innings as well before Ridgefield was able to get on the board in the 4th inning. 

Michael Hicks got on with a single and advanced to third base because of a pair of passed balls and gave a chance for Grayson Sterling to come up for a big two-out at bat as he grounded a single through the left side to give the visitors the opening run of the game and a 1-0 lead. 

The biggest moment of the night came in the bottom of the 5th inning as the Falcons were able to get the bases loaded with no one out on two base hits and a walk but could not find a way to cash them in. Brayden Merritt and Austen Butler struck out swinging while Matt Voelzke concluded the inning with a fly out to right field as Benbrook and the Raptors continued to lead. 

The advantage would be extended to 2-0 the following half inning courtesy of four straight singles, all coming with two outs, as Jonny Weaver drove home Hicks with a base knock to left field, which would be the end of the night for starter Jonathan Clark but despite allowing the two runs, he was brilliant. Going 5.2 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out nine batters while giving up just a walk. 

Connor Hurley came on in relief to get the Falcons out of the jam to close the 6th and continue his strong season in his second appearance as he went 2.1 innings of scoreless ball with four strikeouts. Unfortunately for Kelowna, the offence just couldn’t supply any run support and the Falcons dropped the series finale to the Raptors by a 2-0 score.

The Falcons (1-5) have a lengthy layoff of four days before getting back to action against their Canadian rival in the Victoria HarbourCats (3-3) at Elks Stadium on Friday night. Tickets are available at the Falcons website or at the gate ahead of the opening pitch, slated for 6:35 PM.

Photo courtesy of Cary Mellon

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