Run production hit top speed last weekend for the Coquitlam Reds, who are quickly steaming upward in the B.C. Premier Baseball League standings.
The Reds blitzed the visiting Victoria Eagles by a combined 17-5 count to sweep a doubleheader Sunday at Mundy Park, giving Coquitlam six wins in its last seven outings.
The results improved the Reds to 16-15, good for a sixth place tie with Kelowna's Okanagan Athletics in the 13-team loop and in the 44-game regular season.
"We've won six of seven games and appear to be headed in the right direction," remarked Reds head coach Kyle Williams. "We need to continue to get consistent starting pitching that gives us a chance to win every game. Some of our clutch players are beginning to produce though, particularly in clutch situations."
Williams added there's always room for improvement, especially when it comes to swinging the bat freely.
"Our offence is leading the league in drawing walks but also in striking out," Williams said. "We're concerned that those stats are an indication we are taking too many pitches."
The Reds opened the twinbill with a 7-4 triumph, after building a 4-0 fourth-inning lead.
Rookie lead-off man Darren Honeysett sparked the Reds' offence with three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
Max Hollingworth, Brent Foreman and Steven Kandborg collected a pair of hits apiece for the winners, while Matt Trimble scattered six hits to pitch the win before Dylan Remenyk picked up the save in the final inning. Foreman also knocked in two runs.
In game two, the Reds rocked the Eagles by out-hitting them 13-2 and cruising to a 10-1 triumph.
Veteran outfielder Greg Labranche drilled three hits and had two RBI and scored twice to rally the Reds, who scored four runs in each of the first and second innings to take command early.
Tyler Yorko and Hollingworth slapped a pair of hits apiece for the victors while hurler Jeff Heidema tossed a brilliant two-hit victory over six innings of work.
Langley Blaze lead the league with a 25-7 mark, followed by the 19-6 Nanaimo Pirates and the 17-7 Victoria Mariners.
Williams believes there's no reason why his Reds can't rise above the rest of the competition by season's end.
"I think Langley, Nanaimo and the Victoria Mariners have shown they're a step ahead of the pack," Williams said. "But with having won six of seven, we're starting to look ahead rather than worrying about who's behind us. Personally, I think fourth or fifth is attainable.
"Our guys need to stay in the moment right now and, if they do, the results will take care of themselves."
Next, the Reds host the 11-17 White Rock Tritons tomorrow (Thursday) at Mundy No. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Coquitlam then hosts the 10-17 North Delta Blue Jays in a twinbill Sunday, 4 and 6:30 p.m.
