Pirates Split Emotional Doubleheader as Stebbings Walk-Off Caps Marathon Thriller Against Rangers
NORTH DELTA - May 24, 2026
The North Delta Pirates wrapped up a demanding weekend series against the Cloverdale Rangers on Sunday by splitting a dramatic doubleheader, dropping the opener 14-3 before responding with a thrilling 3-2 walk-off victory in 11 innings. Much like the day before, the two contests could not have unfolded more differently, showcasing both the resilience and character of a Pirates squad that continues to hold firm in the top third of the provincial standings.
Game one belonged largely to the Rangers, who executed an aggressive small-ball approach that consistently put pressure on the Pirates defensively. Cloverdale found gaps throughout the afternoon and forced North Delta into difficult plays that resulted in several errors and extended innings. The Rangers broke the game open with a six-run fourth inning and never looked back, eventually securing the mercy-rule victory in six innings. While the Pirates made plenty of solid contact, hard-hit balls repeatedly found Ranger gloves, turning what could have been rallies into routine outs.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, North Delta still showed flashes offensively. Calvin Mattu drove in two runs, while Lucas Stebbings and Noah Grant each collected two hits. Eliaz Murti started on the mound for the Pirates, battling through three innings against a disciplined Cloverdale lineup that finished with 14 hits and 10 stolen bases. Cloverdale’s clean defensive effort and relentless pressure proved to be the difference as the Rangers bench cheered and jeered throughout Sunday’s double header.
If the opener was frustrating for the Pirates, the second game provided the perfect response … eventually. Sunday’s finale evolved into a classic pitcher’s duel between North Delta ace N. Grant and Cloverdale starter James Stendal. North Delta held a two run lead at the end of the fifty inning but Cloverdale responded with two in the sixth, setting the table for eventual extra innings. From inning seven on, every pitch carried weight as both clubs searched for the breakthrough moment.
N. Grant was outstanding once again for North Delta, delivering another marathon performance only days after throwing 119 pitches in his previous outing. The right-hander worked eight innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight and walking four over 118 pitches. Stendal matched him nearly frame for frame, striking out ten over nine innings and keeping the Pirates from capitalizing despite North Delta consistently putting runners on base.
The Pirates finally found their moment in the bottom of the 11th inning. After Liam Jones advanced into scoring position, Stebbings delivered the decisive swing of the day, driving a ball deep into the outfield over the heads of the Rangers defenders to score Jones and send the Pirates pouring out of the dugout in celebration. The walk-off double capped a huge afternoon for Stebbings, who finished with three hits, two doubles, an RBI, and five total bases while also handling 16 defensive chances cleanly in the field.
North Delta’s bullpen effort was equally important in securing the win. Jack Riley entered in the ninth inning and shut the door completely over three composed extra innings, allowing no hits, issuing no walks, and striking out two to earn the victory. The Pirates finished the game with 10 hits while holding Cloverdale to just two, a testament to both the pitching staff and a defence that rebounded sharply from the opener by playing error-free baseball in the finale.
By salvaging the split, the Pirates concluded the weekend with an impressive 3-1 record and now sit comfortably in fifth place in the provincial standings. More importantly, the club once again demonstrated the ability to respond to adversity — shaking off a difficult first game to grind out one of their most memorable victories of the season. North Delta now gets a short break before returning to action on May 30 when they travel to face the Ridge Meadows Royals.
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
