It’s back to the drawing board for the Parksville Royals as they try to find a way back after four losses last weekend.
Trying to stay focused — and not get too down about their luck — the Royals were back at practice this week, working on the details to help break their current five game losing skid.
It’s not for lack of effort though, according to coach Dave Wallace, as the team has been playing well in certain aspects, but struggle to piece it all together.
“We haven’t been consistent enough in all aspects of our game,” he said. “You have to make the plays you’re supposed to make at this level and we haven’t been doing that. If I break it right down, our hitting has been good, our pitching has struggled and our defense has really fallen off as of late.”
Sitting at the bottom of the B.C. Premier Baseball League, the young Royals team are getting more experience with each game and are learning the hard way that things don’t come as easy as they expect.
“Our younger players have been improving with each game, each time they step on the field,” Wallace said. “It’s been real nice to see it happening and you can see it in their games, they’re starting to gain more and more confidence each time out. They’re really getting a lot stronger out there and have exceeded my expectations so far.”
The Royals are home this weekend for two double headers. Saturday they host the Abbotsford Cardinals, who own a 10–15 record and have lost their last three games. First pitch Saturday goes at noon with game two kicking off at 2:45 p.m.
Sunday the Royals are back at Inouye–Wallace Field taking on the 11–13 White Rock Tritons. Game one on Sunday starts at 11 a.m. with the back end of the double header starting at 1:30 p.m.
Hoping to see fewer mental mistakes on defense and a little more consistency all around, the Royals will be looking to get back in the win column and improve on their 7–20 mark on the season.
Ethan Fox continues to lead the Royals with a .380 batting average while Keller Anderson and Parksville’s Andrew Evernden share the team lead with 10 RBI’s a piece.
Owen Kelly has been the top pitcher so far, having won three games this season while striking out 41 batters, good for team lead in both categories.
“We just need to stay focused and keep doing what we’re doing,” Wallace said. “You’re going to go backwards before you go forwards but you have to persevere.”
“Baseball is a game of failure, you’ve got to learn from your mistakes and hope that you don’t repeat them. The more you play, the more experienced you get and with that comes more confidence and consistency.”