The Windsor Knights have now completed their four game schedule with the Kenntcook Braves — a team that has vastly improved this year — and the Knights’ coach Paul Humphreys said the Braves gave the Knights everything they had as they split the four game series.
“The Braves are a better hitting team in 2017 and are coached much better and it shows because they are playing excellent baseball,” said Humphreys in an interview with the Valley Journal Advertiser.
Heading into the June 24-25 weekend, the Braves had a 4-6 record.
The Knights were going into a doubleheader on the weekend of June 24-25 with the league’s latest entry — the Truro Bearcats.
The Knights and Hantsport Shamrocks are presently tied with 5-3 records for 18 points apiece.
Humphreys said the Knights are looking to host the league’s championship tournament over Labour Day weekend and has high hopes they will.
He said they’re receiving great performances from players such as Alex Patterson, who is hitting .440 with 14 RBIs.
Humphreys said he believes “Patterson is one of the best hitters” in the NSIBL and “is an exceptionally good contact hitter ”
As for pitching, Humphreys commended Alex Sabean, who is 2-0 on the season after pitching 11 and 2/3 innings while striking out 11.
“Alex is a gritty and determined individual and if he is pitching weak and his defence lets him down, he is the kind of player who is not long in letting his teammates know because he is a team leader,” said Humphreys.
Matt Llloy, of the Hantsport Shamrocks, is also having an exceptional season. He’s pitched three of the Shamrocks’ five wins and currently has a 3-0 record after pitching 19 innings and has an ERA of 0.74.
Another player showing plenty of hitting power is Justin Beach, of the Braves. He has a .441 average and has driven in 12 runs.
The Noel Road Blue Jays presently have a 6-2 record and a +41 run differential and are looking forward to hosting the Windsor Knights on July 2 in Noel Road.
Upcoming games
July 2 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Windsor Knights at Noel Road Blue Jays
• Pictou County Royals at Hantsport Shamrocks
• Kennetcook Braves at Truro Bearcats
• Pictou County Albions at Serose Island Schooners
July 9 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Hantsport Shamrocks at Windsor Knights
• Pictou County Albions at Truro Bearcats
July 11 at 7 p.m.
• Noel Road Blue Jays at Kennetcook Braves
July 13 at 7 p.m.
• Noel Road Blue Jays at Kennetcook Braves
