The teams split the first two games of the best-of-five semifinal series in the New Brunswick Junior Baseball League at Memorial Field in Charlottetown on Saturday. The Islanders cruised to a 10-0 victory in Game 1, which was shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule, but the Royals rallied for four late runs to pull out a 4-3 win in Game 2.
Games 3 and 4 are scheduled to be played in Fredericton on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m.
Islanders 10 Royals 0
Winning pitcher Spencer Horne gave up only four hits and no walks while striking out four in five innings.
The Islanders scored six runs in the first inning to chase Fredericton starter Josh Lyons, and never looked back.
Dom Ryan went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Islanders while Darcy Affleck chipped in two hits.
Royals 4 Islanders 3
The Islanders took a 3-0 lead into the top of the sixth inning behind starter Brett Hicken, but with two outs P.E.I. committed four straight errors that led to four unearned runs.
Hicken and relievers Jayden MacLean and Connor Jones only allowed five hits and one walk, but were let down by the Islanders’ defence. Fredericton starter Jordan Drier went the distance, allowing only three runs despite granting eight hits and seven walks.
Corey Kavanaugh had two hits for the Royals.
Riley Gallant and Kyle Pinksen each had two hits for the Islanders.
Jr. Islanders, Royals split first two games of playoff series
CHARLOTTETOWN – The P.E.I. Junior Royals and Fredericton Royals are headed back to New Brunswick all tied up.
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