More North Island Royals have made commitments to play collegiate ball in the United States.
Pitcher and centre fielder Corby Nohr will be joining his brother Rylan to be a Teton at Williston State College in North Dakota next school season. The Campbell River product has turned into a solid two-way player for the Royals and has become a a pillar of consistency for the team.
Nick Saflin, a versatile athlete who plays second base, left field and centre field has also committed to play for Williston College in September. Saflin has been a proud member of the Royals for a number of years and a former award winner of the coveted Tyler Phillips award for best first-year player.
Pitcher Milo Coghill will head to the Lower Mainland to join the University of British Columbia JV Thunderbirds. He has developed into a consistent player with the Royals for more than four years. His pitching skills and ability to work smart are assets that can help the Thunderbirds next season.
Two more Royals will be going to California to join teammate Hayden Robbins with the Post Grad Grizzlies. Courtenay's Josh Tobacca and Coombs' Caden Morrison have committed to attend the college as well.
To date the Royals have eight players that are going to college in the U.S. They are still waiting for one more commitment waiting to be confirmed, said manager Mike Parlow.
"If that comes through, it will be the largest draft class we’ve ever produced in the past 32 years," said Parlow.
In B.C. Premier Baseball League action, the Royals dropped two closely contested games against the visiting Victoria Eagles at the Inouye-Wallace Field in Parksville on Wednesday night, Juiy 3.
The Royals faded down the stretch in both games to lose 2-1 and 4-3 to the BCPBL's fourth-ranked Eagles, who have a record of 22 wins and 17 losses.
In the first game, pitcher Trevor Holme started for the Royals. In seven innings of action on the mound, Holme only gave up three hits and surrendered two earned runs while striking out six. Unfortunately, the winning run was scored in top of the seventh. Two wild pitches allowed Eagles' Ethan Snihurowycz to advance to scoring position on third. He eventually made it home on a fly ball to put the Eagles ahead 2-1, which ended up to be the final score.
Later in the afternoon, the Royals got off to a flying start scoring three runs in the first inning to lead 3-0. Robbins started for the Royals, going two innings. Milo Coghiil took over and did his best to silence the Eagles' batters. But the Eagles hitters began chipping away on the Royals' lead, closing the gap 3-2. In the top of seventh, the Eagles turned the tables around with two runs to take a 4-3 lead, which they never relinquished.
The Royals are in 11th place in the league standings and are still within striking distance of eight place, which would earn them a spot in the post-season round-robin stage. The top four teams will then advance to the semifinals with the winners battling it out for the title.
Meanwhile, on July 9, the Royals are hosting an ID camp for all prospective Junior PBL and Senior PBL players. This is for any player entering the Grade 10 in September up to those that just graduated high school this year. Any player wishing to play at the highest level in B.C. and in one of the top leagues in Canada can attend this ID camp. From this camp, top players will receive a personal invite to selection camp in August.
Anyone in catchment area of Oceanside, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Campbell River, Tri-Port, Powell River as well as open catchment (PG, Trail, Cranbrook) are welcome to register at https://northislandroyals.pointstreaksites.com/view/northislandroyals/
