Hawks Win Tight Battle With TRU To Open 2019 NCBC Nationals

ETOBICOKE, ON: The defending champion Humber Hawks opened the 2019 NCBC Nationals by way of a 2-1 win over Thompson Rivers University, hosted by Humber College and played at Connorvale Park in Etobicoke.

The defending champion Hawks and the visiting TRU Wolfpack put on quite a show to open the 2019 Championship. If the ending of this game is any indication, there is a lot of excitement coming this way.  

The Wolfpack ran out to a quick 1-0 lead. After a dropped foul ball, the TRU squad put together back to back doubles, scoring one but leaving another runner in scoring position. Humber answered quickly, scoring one on a slashing single down the right field line off the bat of veteran Hunter Bisser. The Hawks added the eventual winner in the two innings later on a line drive double to the gap by Liam Sutherland, scoring catcher Jeff Siemms.

The top of the seventh is where the action hit highest and proved to be a "nail-biter" for the Hawks faithful. After a quick strikeout, the Wolfpack put together a Hawks error, a walk and a mental mistake to load the bases with one out. Riley Pollard, in relief of winner Cam Hibbs struck out a TRU batter on a tight 3-2 count. Just 2 pitches later, a pitch eluded cater Siemms but he was able to find it and throw a strike to pitcher Pollard to easily tag out the player on third trying to score to end the game.

WP: Hibbs
Save: Ri. Pollard
LP: Moskalyk