Adam McKillican picked up his fifth win of the season and Liam Janzen belted a bases-loaded double in a key sixth-inning rally Sunday as the Quality Foods Parksville Royals pushed their winning streak to three games with a 4-3 victory over the visiting Langley Blaze at Springwood Park.
The streak came to an end in the second game of the teams’ B.C. Premier Baseball League doubleheader, as Langley blanked the Royals, 10-0.
The Royals remain in Parksville this week for a four-game Canada Day weekend home stand, hosting the Nanaimo Pirates Friday and the Victoria Mariners Sunday at Springwood Park.
In Sunday’s opener, McKillican (5-5) scattered four hits and struck out five, but also walked four batters as he fell behind 3-0 while allowing single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings.
The Royals got on the board in a big way in the bottom of the sixth, though, parlaying a pair of walks and two Blaze errors into a four-run inning that gave them their first lead.
Thomas Green drew a one-out walk and, after Kiran Carcary reached on an infield error, Zach Waddington drew another free pass to load the bases. Janzen then stepped up and delivered a two-run double.
After Jaydan Saban was hit by a pitch to re-load the bases, Kieran Bowles reached on an error to score another run, and Robbie Dhut ground into a fielder’s choice, beating the double-play throw to first as Janzen raced home with the go-ahead run.
Aiden Brot came on in relief of McKillican and earned the save, allowing one baserunner on a walk and striking out one. It is Brot’s third save of the season, which is tied for the BCPBL lead.
All five of McKillican’s wins have come by one run.
In the second game, the Royals were limited to two hits by Langley pitcher Michael Stovman, singles by Dhut and Jamie Roberts. Alex McRae, the first of three Parksville pitchers, took the loss.
On Friday, the Royals host a Canada Day doubleheader against the Nanaimo Pirates, beginning at noon. They'll return to Springwood Park Sunday to host the Mariners in a pair of games, also beginning at noon.
— NEWS staff