North Delta Pirates Show Resilience, Class in Gritty Provincial Run
MAPLE RIDGE, BC - July 27, 2025
The North Delta Pirates entered the 2025 provincial championship tournament with high expectations and a deep, talented roster. But after a tough opening loss to the North Island Cubs, they found themselves down early in a tournament with an unforgiving format. What followed was a run that, while falling short of the championship, showcased the Pirates’ resilience, character, and unrelenting commitment to compete at the highest level.
Saturday’s must-win game against the Kamloops Riverdogs proved to be the defining moment of the tournament for the Pirates. Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, North Delta staged a dramatic walk-off comeback that sent the dugout into a frenzy. The 3-2 win not only kept their season alive, but also demonstrated the Pirates’ poise in pressure situations.
With the win, North Delta found itself in a three-way tie atop Pool A with Cowichan Valley and North Island, all posting identical 3-1 records. The tie-breaking formula — based on runs allowed per defensive inning — narrowly placed the Pirates second behind North Island (0.3636 vs. 0.3333), setting up a rematch with Cowichan in a Sunday morning tiebreaker.
Unfortunately for the Pirates, Sunday’s magic didn’t mirror Saturday’s. In the 8:00 a.m. showdown against a vocal Cowichan Valley squad, North Delta struggled to generate offense, ultimately falling 5-0 at Hammond Park in Maple Ridge. Despite the loss, the Pirates displayed strong fundamentals and professionalism — they committed no errors and played with composure throughout the contest.
Starting pitcher Kesler Curtis gave a determined effort on the mound, striking out three over four innings of work. He scattered six hits and battled through traffic, keeping his team within striking distance for much of the game. Cowichan, however, found their stride in the fifth inning, stringing together five singles to break open a scoreless deadlock.
Offensively, North Delta was limited to just two hits — one each from Lucas Stebbings and Dakota Simicak — as Cowichan’s pitcher tossed a complete-game shutout, striking out seven. Despite the lack of runs, the Pirates continued to battle at the plate, drawing four walks and making Cowichan work for every out.
Defensively, the Pirates remained sharp. The team’s clean fielding throughout the tournament was a reflection of the disciplined, detail-oriented approach that defined their season.
Though their run ended earlier than hoped, the Pirates walk away with heads held high. Finishing with a winning record against some of the province’s top programs, North Delta proved they belonged in the championship conversation. Their walk-off win, pool tiebreaker qualification, and classy performance in defeat spoke volumes about the culture of the organization.
The tournament concluded with Tri City defeating Penticton to claim the provincial crown, but for the Pirates, the journey was a testament to teamwork, growth, and grit. The coaching staff, players, and families represented North Delta with class, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in Maple Ridge.
As the Pirates look ahead to future seasons, this run will serve as a foundation to build upon. Their performance over the weekend wasn’t just about wins and losses — it was about competing with integrity, rising to challenges, and representing their community with pride.
For more information about the North Delta Pirates, visit www.northdeltapirates.ca. Follow the team on Instagram (@northdeltapirates), Facebook, and Twitter (@piratesnd) for exclusive content and updates throughout the season.
To become a team sponsor or for media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Matt Grant
Director with the North Delta Pirates
northdeltapirates@gmail.com
