The Gibsons Jays opened their new season with a 9-4 road loss last Sunday to the Twins at Queens Park Stadium in New Westminster.
Gibsons played well for the most part, but some costly errors and too many walks and some hit batters were the difference in the game.
Zach Ruggles pitched well in the first four innings, giving up three runs. He also led the Jays at the plate with two hits, including a long double and two runs batted in. Brandon Elsdon also collected two hits. New catcher Evan Murphy played a good game behind the plate and threw out two base runners attempting to steal in one inning, something that many catchers would love to have on their record.
Gibsons was playing short-staffed with two players working on the day and without the benefit of three strong players not yet back from university.
The Jays first home game of the season is at Ryan Dempster Field this Saturday, May 7, at noon. The Jays hope that many fans on the Sunshine Coast will come out to support them in their home opener.
Dempster bombed again
Ryan Dempster is probably really happy to see April behind him.
The Chicago Cubs right-hander from Gibsons finished the month with a record of 1-3 with a pair of no decisions, and was bombed in his final start of the month on Thursday night, April 28, as the Cubs lost 11-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dempster lasted only one-third of an inning, throwing 40 pitches and allowing seven runs on four hits, including a first career grand slam to Stephen Drew, and walked four. His ERA ballooned to 9.58 on the season. The outing was the shortest in Dempster's 14-year career.
Mountain biking
Elphi and Chat racers continued to burn up the track last Wednesday (April 27) at Blair Range in race number three of the high school series.
According to Elphi coach Mark Goerzen, conditions proved to be very muddy and wet, but that didn't stop Matthew Clough as he continued his dominance of the senior boys, finishing first with Forest Riesco third and Harrison Duxbury-Sleep in seventh. Josh Mcleod, Reece Champagne and Henry Telfer also had strong races.
As of now, Matthew and Forest are sitting first and third in the overall standings for senior boys, which puts Elphi in contention for winning the regular season banner.
Emily Duncan-Hansen and Jessica Marquis were the top finishers for Chat, each claiming top spot in junior and senior girls respectively. Laren Pudek was third in juvenile girls, Kirsten Calder-Sutt was third in junior girls, and Eric Dillon was second in juvenile boys. See the sports ticker on page 46 for complete results.
High school golf
Elphi is still looking for its first win on the links after a 4-3 loss on April 28 against Mulgrave. The Cougars are 0-5 on the season.
Chat has a record of 3-3 after a 7-0 loss to Balmoral in exhibition action on Monday, May 2. Both teams have two matches left before the playoffs start in two weeks.
Ultimate
Chat is 4-2 in ultimate league action after a 13-8 win over Carson Graham on April 29. Chat had one game left this week before the North Shore championships today (May 6) in North Vancouver.
Roller derby
The Sunshine Coast Roller Girls will tangle with the Sea to Sky Sirens this Saturday in Gibsons.
A practice scrimmage is set for the Gibsons and Area Community Centre from 4 to 7 p.m. Spectators are encouraged.
