MIRAMICHI, N.B. — New Glasgow’s John Patrick (J.P.) Stevenson scattered five hits in five innings while striking out eight as the host Chatham Ironmen defeated British Columbia 4-1 Thursday on opening day of the Bigs Seeds senior men’s national baseball championship.
The lefty allowed a run on three singles in the first inning before tossing up zeros the rest of the way. He walked one. Andrew Case allowed two hits and struck out two in two innings for the save.
Kris Keating went 3-for-3 to pace the host team’s offence in Miramichi, N.B.
Justin Cormier walked and scored in the third on Michael McKay’s double to tie the game. McKay scored the go-ahead run in the fifth and the Ironmen added two insurance runs in the sixth.
St. Peters Bay resident Dillon Doucette played first base and hit fifth in the Ironmen’s lineup. He was 0-for-2 with a walk. Stevenson’s older brother Jordan, a right-handed pitcher, is also with the Ironmen.
Shawn Schaefer allowed two runs on four hits in five innings and was tagged with the loss while Brogan McDougall allowed two runs on one hit in relief. Three of the Ironmen’s runs were unearned as British Columbia was tagged with five errors.
The Fredericton Royals dropped a 7-3 decision to Quebec in their first game of the tournament.
The Royals scored single runs in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead before giving up five in the fourth. Cornwall catcher Logan Gallant is playing with the Royals but did not get into the game.
Tanner Banks, David Barr and Mike Washburn, the first three batters in the Royals’ lineup, each had two hits while clean-up hitter Corey Wood had a solo home run.
Ben Runyon took the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. Brook Saunders allowed two runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of relief.
Fernando Fernandez went 4 2/3 innings for the victory. He allowed three runs on seven hits.
The Royals play Manitoba (1-0) today at 10 a.m. and Ontario (0-1) at 7 p.m. while the Ironmen play Alberta (1-0) at 1 p.m. and the Sydney Sooners (1-0) from Nova Scotia at 7 p.m.
Related links:
• Four Islanders playing for New Brunswick teams at senior men’s baseball nationals