WolfPack split with Coyotes, retain first place

Taylor Van Ham slides for third during the April 4 meeting between the WolfPack and Coyotes. (via TRU Athletics)

The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) WolfPack outscored the Okanagan Coyotes 18-4 in yesterday's doubleheader, but the top teams in the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference (CCBC) split the series to keep the race for first tight.

The WolfPack drubbed the Coyotes in the early afternoon, ending the game in the seventh inning on a mercy call. TRU led 16-0 at the time, thanks to a three-RBI day from Liam Shibata. Taylor Van Ham and Liam Rihela both had two hits and two RBIs for the WolfPack as well. 

Pitcher Tyler Hodder got the win, throwing seven innings of shutout ball and striking out six.

In the second game of the night, Okanagan's bats got off to a much better start, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first. 

The WolfPack would tie things up in the fifth inning, thanks to a solo-shot from Zac Comeault, his first home run of the season. Adam Filmon also hit an RBI single. 

In the top of the ninth, the Coyotes rallied for two more runs, to take the game 4-2.

Tyler Moskalyk got the loss for TRU, throwing a complete game, surrendering just two earned runs, striking out 11 and walking three batters.

This was the second mid-week split between these teams this season.

At 14-4, the WolfPack are still tops in the CCBC, leading Okanagan by a game with two weeks remaining on the season. TRU is back in action this weekend, hosting the University of Fraser Valley at Norbrock Stadium on Sunday (April 21).