Pirates Finish Strong at North Island Cubs Summer Classic with 15-0 Mercy Win Over Layritz

COURTNEY, BC - July 5, 2026

The North Delta Pirates closed out the North Island Cubs Summer Classic on a high note Sunday afternoon, overpowering Layritz 15-0 in a four-inning mercy-rule victory in Courtenay. While the tournament as a whole did not unfold quite the way North Delta had hoped, the Pirates left the Island with momentum after finishing their weekend with back-to-back wins and a 2-2 record. On a warm and sunny afternoon, the Pirates looked every bit like the dangerous club they believe they can be as the regular season heads toward its final stretch.

North Delta wasted no time taking control. The Pirates erupted for seven runs in the opening inning, immediately setting the tone with a relentless mix of hard contact, disciplined at-bats, and aggressive baserunning. Payton Harper got the attack rolling with a two-run double, Lucas Stebbings followed with an RBI double of his own, and Paul Stringer added a two-run triple as North Delta quickly built a commanding lead. Jack Riley later drew a bases-loaded walk and Connal Grant capped the inning with an RBI single, giving the Pirates a 7-0 advantage before Layritz had a chance to settle in.

The Pirates kept the pressure on in the second. Stebbings delivered again with an RBI single to centre, and Jack Utsunomiya added another run with a productive groundout as North Delta extended its lead to 9-0. With the bats already humming, the Pirates never allowed the game to drift, continuing to force the issue both at the plate and on the bases. North Delta swiped eight bases in the contest, a sign of the energy and confidence the team carried throughout the afternoon.

If there was any doubt about the outcome, the Pirates erased it in the third inning with another offensive surge. North Delta sent six more runs across the plate on six hits to blow the game wide open. C. Grant highlighted the inning with a two-run triple, Noah Grant drove in another with a single, Scott Ormston added an RBI knock, and Stringer capped the frame with a run-scoring single. By the end of the third, North Delta had piled up 15 runs on 15 hits and had fully turned the game into a statement performance.

While the offence drew plenty of attention, the work on the mound was just as impressive. C. Grant and Ormston combined to keep Layritz off both the scoreboard and the hit column in a no-run, no-hit outing over four innings. C. Grant earned the win with two and one-third strong innings, and Ormston closed things out to preserve the shutout. Behind them, the Pirates were clean and composed defensively giving Layritz little room to generate any momentum.

The offensive production was spread throughout the lineup, another encouraging sign for a club that has been looking to find consistency heading into the final weeks of the season. Stebbings, Harper, C. Grant, N. Grant, and Stringer each recorded two hits, while C. Grant led the way with three RBIs in a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate. Stringer continued his strong weekend with two stolen bases, and Tevin Bentley was steady defensively, leading the team in fielding chances.

In the end, the Pirates may not have left the Summer Classic with the tournament finish they envisioned, but they did leave with something important: momentum, confidence, and a reminder of what they can look like when all parts of their game are working together. North Delta now turns its attention to a crucial four-game stretch next weekend against the Cowichan Valley Mustangs and North Island Cubs. If Sunday’s finale was any indication, the Pirates are heading into that challenge with their bats alive, their pitching staff sharp, and their focus renewed at exactly the right time.

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.

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Matt Grant
Director with the North Delta Pirates
northdeltapirates@gmail.com