An error in the bottom of the eighth inning eliminated the Coquitlam Reds from the BC Premier Baseball League’s junior provincial championship the team is hosting at Mundy Park.
The Reds lost to the Langley Blaze, 9-8 in eight innings, Friday afternoon, Aug. 2, at Mundy Park.
Coquitlam also lost its opening round game Thursday, Aug. 1, in the double knock-out tournament, 5-1 to the Victoria Jr. Eagles.
The error occurred when Reds’ pitcher Michael Bodell couldn’t cleanly handle a bunt by Langley Blaze batter Benjamin Balfour, allowing runner Christian Pighin, who’d reached base earlier on a walk, to score the winning run.
The Reds had taken a 8-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. But Langley scored three to send the game into extra innings.
Each team had 11 hits.
The Reds expended four pitchers while the Blaze used three.
The tournament, featuring the eight top junior baseball teams in the province, continues all day Saturday, Aug. 3, at Mundy Park and Whalley Stadium.
The championship final will be played Sunday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m., at Mundy.
