The Coquitlam Reds swept a double-header from Vancouver Cannons Sunday to improve their standing in the B.C. Premier Baseball League's crowded playoff picture.
The Reds scorched the Cannons 11-6 in the late game after opening with a 5-2 win to wrap up their regular season at Vancouver's Queens Park. The Reds finish the regular season with a 28-20 record, and will enter the playoffs in anywhere from fourth to sixth spot depending on this week's other results from around the league.
"I have three teams I have to prepare for. I don't know which game to watch (Tuesday night)," said Reds head coach Kyle Williams.
Austin MacDonald got the win for the Reds in Sunday's twilight game, while Curtis Taylor struck out six to take the opener for the Reds who needed three runs in the eighth. Dalton Anderson powered the Reds' offence on Sunday, going 5-for-6 with four runs scored and an RBI.
The Reds opened the weekend with a 5-4 loss to the host White Rock Tritons on Saturday afternoon. Mark Trimble took the loss on the mound, while TJ McCullough (2-for-3) and Hayden Jaco (2-for-4) were steady at the plate.
"We dropped the first game that we never should have dropped but we responded with intensity. It was a whole different competition level on Sunday," said Williams, calling it a good sign for Saturday's start of the playoffs.
He said infield defence and strong performances from the club's big hitters will be key to the Reds' chances for playoff success.
"In the playoffs you don't get five or six chances to score. You might get two or three and you have to make the most of them."
In junior league action, the Coquitlam Redlegs split a double-header with the North Delta Jr. Blue Jays Sunday at Mundy Park, dropping the opener 6-3 before responding with a 7-1 win in the late game.
Manager Bill Green said pitching was the story behind Sunday's mixed results.
"We walked 11 guys (in the first game) and we haven't done that all year. There were a lot of soft runs as a result," said Green. "It was not a good all-round performance, but baseball is a game that starts on the mound."
Drew Horton went the distance for the Redlegs in the win, scattering five hits with five strikeouts and two walks to push his record to 11-5. Cole Nightingale went 1-for-2 with three RBIs, while Ryley Leoppky was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs. Josh Mickelson took the loss in the opener, while Horton went 2-for-2 at the plate and Thierry Parker was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. The Redlegs stand in third place with a 22-14 record with eight games remaining in their season.
