The Abbotsford Cardinals' offence showed up in the nick of time on Saturday, exploding in the back half of a doubleheader to salvage a split against the Vancouver Cannons.
The local B.C. Premier Baseball League squad fell 5-2 in the first game of the day at DeLair Park, as Cannons starting pitcher Connor Noble turned in a dominant outing. He struck out 10 Cards batters while scattering five hits over seven innings.
Abbotsford bounced back with an 8-1 win, led by a big game at the plate from third baseman Adam Revel, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Luke Cooke, Riley Salter and Zach Cardoso also notched a pair of hits apiece, while Jesse McGowen went the distance on the mound, allowing just seven baserunners (six walks, one hit).
The Cards are seventh in the BCPBL at 4-5, and head coach Corey Eckstein noted his team is still in the thick of things with the standings being as tight as they are.
"I'll feel much better once we get above .500," he said. "Adam Revel had a great day at the park (on Saturday), both offensively and defensively."
The Cardinals are on the road for the next two weeks. Their next home games are on Sunday, May 13, when they host the North Shore Twins in a doubleheader at DeLair Park (12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.).
PITCHING POWERS JUNIOR CARDS
The Junior Cardinals swept their weekend set with the Junior Cannons on the road, winning by scores of 9-0 and 2-0.
The pitching staff was lights-out in both games. Dakota Reimer and Graham Wiebe combined for the shutout in the opener, while Jordan Dobos tossed a complete-game one-hitter in the back half as the Junior Cards evened their record at 3-3.