Day 3 of the 2016 World Baseball Challenge in Prince George ended in wild fashion thanks to a thrilling 13-9 victory for the Thurston County Senators over the Kamloops Sun Devils.
The offensive fireworks started early for the Senators with a 5 run 2 out rally started by Keone McKee followed by three straight singles from Connor Bensen, d’Aundrey Van Slyke, and Omar Maldonado III to make it 6-2 after two complete.
Kamloops would then respond with two runs of their own thanks to a bases loaded walk and a hit by the pitch sequence making it 6-4.
Thurston County opened up the game in the bottom of the 5th with five more runs to extend their lead to 11-4.
The Sun Devils would not go away quietly however with a 5 spot of their own in the top of the 8th thanks to a 3-run homer from Erick Herbranson followed by a 2 run moon shot from PG product Brandon Hunter.
Senators Catcher, Omar Maldonado III says the team was determined to rebound from a tough loss to Sidearm Nation on Saturday. “The guys came out and they wanted it. They wanted to swing it and believed we’re not going down but the Sun Devils swung the bat well too.”
Hunter says Thurston County believed Thurston County did a good job of putting the ball in play. “They came out first pitch fastball and were swinging so the ball is going to fall when that happens so you just have to take care of it.”
Hunter is one of six Prince George products playing for Kamloops during the World Baseball Challenge.
He currently has a .556 average with 1 home-run and 2 RBI’s in 2 games.
Bryan Lounsbury picked up the win on the mound for the Senators while Brandon Marklund took the loss for Kamloops.
Thurston County improves to 1-1 while the Sun Devils drop to 0-2.
Senators return to action on Tuesday.
Kamloops is back on the field at 8PM tonight against Japan at Citizen Field.