Dawgs edge Mariners at Canadian College World Series

By Lethbridge Herald on May 18, 2023.

Prairie Baseball Academy’s Koby Smith is forced to go airborne in order to throw the ball to first base and complete the double play, as Vancouver Island University Mariners’ James Joyce slides into him during Canadian College World Series action at Spitz Stadium on Thursday. Herald photo by Justin Seward

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The eighth-seeded Vancouver Island University gave the first place Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs all they could handle in both team’s opening games of the Canadian College World Series at Spitz Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

However, it was the Dawgs who had some strong pitching and clutch hitting late in the game to edge the Mariners 4-2 after both teams were tied 2-2 heading into the eighth inning. 

“You know what, it happens a lot at this tournament,” said PBA coach Todd Hubka.

“ You come up and you’re tight to start with and I thought we were a little tight starting the game and we kind of  loosened up as the game went on. And hats off to VI, they played a hell of a game and executed when they had to. You know (VIU) played really well on both ends and glad we came out on top.”

Hubka was proud of his pitching staff.

“You know our pitching staff has been strong all year and they showed again today,” said Hubka.

“They keep is in ball games when our bats are a little quiet. So hats off to them too.” 

With the win, PBA will not hit the field again until Saturday.

“Yeah you know what, enjoy tomorrow and watch some great baseball and you know it’s good,” said Hubka.

“Our bullpen guys, our two guys (Liam Bilodeau-Minty and Colby Snider) that threw tonight, you know they’re key pieces to our puzzle and you know they get to rest for a day before they go back out on Saturday.”

Snider solidified the Dawgs with one hit, one walk and two strikeouts in seventh and eighth innings.

“Well I’ve been doing it all season with the guys here,” said Snider.

“But I don’t know, the first one of the (championship), it’s always pretty tough to get out there. (The) heart rate is always going (and) adrenaline.” 

Snider felt once he settled in he started making pitches and getting ahead of batters.

PBA’s starting pitcher Max Benton threw six innings while giving up two runs on five hits and striking out 12 batters.

PBA will play the winner of University of Calgary and TRU Wolfpack on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Spitz Stadium.