Jr. Islanders open playoffs vs. Royals on Saturday

The P.E.I. Junior Islanders will host the Fredericton Royals in the first two games of the best-of-five semifinal series at Memorial Field in Charlottetown on Saturday. First pitch in Game 1 of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Fredericton outlasted P.E.I. 3-2 in a spirited five-game semifinal series last year, and this year’s series promises to be no less intense, notes a media release issued by the Islanders.
The two teams split six regular-season games. P.E.I. finished in second place at 16-8 (won-lost) to earn home-field advantage over the third-place Royals (10-14).

Starting pitchers
The Islanders will send Spencer Horne and Brett Hicken to the mound for the first two games. Josh Lyons and Jordan Drier are expected to get the nod for Fredericton.
The Islanders placed four hitters in the top 15, including Riley Gallant’s league-leading .520 average as well as Ryne MacIsaac (.366) and brothers Curtis (.354) and Conor McGregor (.353).
The Islanders’ Darcy Affleck, along with Dan Bertrand of the Royals, each hit a league-leading four home runs.
Catcher Corey Kavanaugh, who is coming off a length suspension and will not be available until Game 2, leads the Royals’ attack. Adam Estay and Corey Ouelette also swing key bats for the Royals.
Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 4 will be played in Fredericton on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Should a fifth and deciding game be required, it is scheduled for back in Charlottetown on Saturday, Aug. 12.