The Howe Sound Cannons began the 2016 season with a boom, taking both ends of a home doubleheader Saturday against the Whistler Warriors.
The game at Laroy Watt Field kicked off the season for the North Shore Men’s Baseball Association, which features two new teams including Whistler.
On the scoreboard, the games were not close, as Howe Sound jumped out to a big lead in the second inning of the first game, scoring six runs from an extended bases-loaded situation.
Whistler almost looked like it would escape, having managed to get two out on force-outs at the plate. A costly error kept the inning alive, though, and Howe Sound brought in its first run when the Cannons’ Jeremy Galley was hit by a pitch. A couple of walks brought in two more.
Centrefielder Justin Kraznowski broke things open with a hard shot to left field that brought in three more runs.
The next inning was almost as tough for the visitors as they game up a walk and a hit-by-pitch. The runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on the next hit.
Meanwhile, Howe Sound was barely allowing base runners, let alone runs, in the early innings, as Galley held the Whistler bats in check from the mound, ringing up double-digit strikeouts and allowing only one run. Jack Thompson came on to pitch in the final inning to fan all three Whistler batters for the 10-1 win.
While the second half of the doubleheader was closer, Howe Sound was still in control, with Alex Wishy again keeping the Warriors’ bats at bay for a 6-1 win.
Again, Whistler made things more difficult for itself with a few too many errors, walks and hit-batters, although by the end of the game, the team was starting to hit the ball harder, putting together a decent final inning to get on the scoreboard.
For Whistler, starting against last year’s North Shore Men’s Baseball Association champs was a tough way to begin league play, especially as last year’s Howe Sound team has changed little.
“We pretty much have the same core back,” said the Cannons’ Jeremy Galley.
Despite the lopsided score, he said the Squamish team cannot expect to take Whistler for granted and that the difference-maker in what could have been closer games amounted to some defensive miscues that allowed the Cannons to keep their at-bats alive.
Had the defence been able to turn a play here or there, Whistler might have emerged from the tough innings relatively unscathed.
Galley also said the visitors’ pitching was solid and as the doubleheader wore on, their offence was starting to wake up.
“You could tell by the end of the game, their bats were coming alive,” he said.
Galley expects Whistler will be a stronger team as the season progresses.
The Cannons are on the road next weekend before returning to Laroy Watt Field May 14 for games against the Blue Jays and Warriors.
For more information on the Cannons, visit www.ballcharts.com and search “Cannons.”
