Game 1

It was an international delight for all who came out to watch. 

The MI Pirates took on a Select team from UDR Cuba. 

After all the pleasantries, handshakes and language issues...., there was still a game to play. And what a game it was. Littered by great defensive plays, timely hitting and good pitching...., the Pirates came away with a hard earned 3-2 victory. It brought back memories for Coach Rogers. 

"It was again fun to see the different styles from both teams."

The Pirates traveled to Cuba in 2014 and were introduced to the flair and passion Cuban players bring to the field. 

"They play with such passion, such joy, and they're always vocal, always yacking at each other, the umpires or really anybody within earshot. 

It's awesome!!!"

This Cuban group was no different. 

"I give our kids(Pirates) a lot of credit, as it's not easy playing against an older team, a Cuban team no less, especially having to hear story after story of how good Cuban baseball is. That comes from me. I've always been a fan of those great Cuban teams who dominated world baseball for so many years."

Tuesday's game saw the Pirates jump ahead 2-0 on a 2 run double from Duncan native and Taft College commit Brody Deverill. The Cubans tied the game 2-2 but could have blown the game wide open if not for a defensive gem turned in from another Pirate from the Duncan community. 

With the bases loaded and nobody out, the Cuban batter hit a deep fly ball to CF, easiest deep enough to score the runner from 3rd. Jackson Stephen, another US College commit(Presentation college in South Dakota) caught the ball for our number 1, then threw a perfect one-hop strike to 3rd erasing the runner trying to advance...., our number 2. The 3rd out was recorded easily and the threat was over. "That play gave us momentum and showed what repetition and hard work in practice can do for a player in game situations."

For good measure, Stephens made another great play in CF and launched a triple offensively. 

The Pirates broke the tie on, ironically enough, a passed ball. Deverill scampered home for what would turn out to be the winning run. 

"It was ironic in that the Cuban catcher was, at least in this game, their strongest player. Just one mishap and that did it!!! You just never know in this crazy game what can happen." 

Mack Homeniuk, Wyatt Dorman, Josh Hill and Colby Neff share the pitching duties and kept the Cubans bats relatively quiet throughout the game. 

The two teams do it all over again Fri, June 14th at Nanaimo historic Serauxmen Stadium. 6:05 start. 

There will be door prizes, a beer gardens and no loss of fan fare. 

"We'll have to be prepared for a big pushback from the Cubans. It'll be a fun night."

Tickets are $5, general admission with kids under 12(in uniform)admitted free. 

There'll be an autograph signing session after the game. Kids/parents bring a glove, hat...., something to be signed.