The West Urban Developments North Island Cubs started their inaugural season of U18 AAA baseball with three wins last weekend. The brand new team is comprised of players in Grades 10, 11 and 12, mostly from Campbell River, with one each from the Comox Valley, Powell River and Parksville.
Saturday at Bill Moore Park in Courtenay, the Cubs hosted the North Fraser Nationals in a double header. The locals kicked things off with a 10-0 win in the first game. Pitcher Dayton Ring threw a complete game shutout, allowing two hits. Second baseman Tyler Downey provided some valuable offence with a two-run home run over the right field fence in the third inning. Brayden McClary went two for two at the plate with a single and a double, while Brad Teasdale went two for three with a pair of singles. Singles also went to Austin Gurney, Robert Gurney and Ring.
The Cubs then lost 16-0 to the Nationals in Game 2. Logan Campbell had a double and Austin Gurney added a single in the loss.
Sunday’s double header saw the Cubs face the Cloverdale Spurs at Bill Moore. Game one had some exciting baseball with the local team winning 5-4 in extra innings. Starting pitcher Brayden McClary had a solid outing on the hill with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Rookie Jayden Smith came in for the close, striking out three batters in 2 1/3 innings. Leading the way offensively again for the Cubs were Teasdale and Austin Gurney with three singles each, while Robert Gurney and Ring had a pair of singles each. Downey and Ethan Taylor each had a single. The Cubs’ winning run in extras was scored by Campbell, who recently moved to the Island from the Cloverdale area. Using some smart base running he stole home on a catcher’s error, handing his old team a loss and providing his new one with a much deserved win.
Game two was a long and gruelling test as the locals out-duelled the Spurs for a 16-6 victory. Once again, Austin Gurney was 3 for 3 at the plate with three singles. Taylor was 2 for 2 with a pair of singles, and Ring was 2 for 3 with a double and a single. Matt O’Reilly chipped in with a single to round out the offence.
This weekend, the North Island squad hosts a Saturday double header at Highland Park in Comox at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Cubs face the COMBA Sun Devils at Nunns Creek Park in Campbell River at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.