North Delta Pirates Sweep Doubleheader Against Cloverdale Behind Stellar Pitching and Timely Hitting

NORTH DELTA, B.C. — The North Delta Pirates squad made a statement Sunday at Mackie Park, sweeping a doubleheader against rival Cloverdale in convincing fashion. Backed by dominant pitching, clutch performances at the plate, and flawless defense, the Pirates claimed an 8-1 win in Game 1 and followed it up with a gritty 6-3 victory in Game 2.

In the opener, Payton Harper was electric, going 3-for-4 with a trio of singles, while right-hander Noah Grant turned in a commanding complete-game performance. Grant struck out 13 Cloverdale batters across seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits. The Pirates wasted no time getting on the board, with Lucas Stebbings delivering a two-run double in the first. Cole James added a key double in the third to extend the early lead.

Harper, James, and Stebbings each drove in a pair of runs, with the Pirates pounding out 11 hits and drawing six walks in a patient, poised offensive display. North Delta played nearly error-free baseball, with Kesler Curtis anchoring the defense at catcher.

Game 2 proved to be a tighter affair, but the North Delta Pirates again found a way to get it done, this time late. After taking an early lead on a Connor Wilson RBI double, the North Delta Pirates saw their 3-0 advantage erased in the sixth when Cloverdale pushed across three runs. But the Pirates responded immediately in the home half of the frame, stringing together RBI at-bats from Stebbings, Wilson, and Noah Saunders to regain control.

Liam Jones battled through five and two-thirds innings on the mound, striking out six while giving up three runs. Eliaz Murti was sharp in relief, shutting the door with one and one third scoreless innings and three strikeouts, earning the win. Offensively, Wilson and Dakota Simicak each had two hits, while Harper, Stebbings, Wilson, and Saunders all recorded RBIs.

Defensively, the Pirates were close-to-flawless once again, committing just one error. Curtis remained a steady presence at catcher, notching another 10 chances in the nightcap.

The sweep moves the Pirates to 5-1 on the season as they prepare to hit the road next weekend for matchups against the Penticton Tigers and the Kelowna Sun Devils. With pitching depth, defensive consistency, and a lineup that’s beginning to click, North Delta is quickly emerging as a team to watch this season.