Pirates Tested by Adversity, Welcome Utsunomiya in Doubleheader Against Royals

MAPLE RIDGE, BC - May 30, 2026

The North Delta Pirates dropped both ends of a doubleheader to the Ridge Meadows Royals in Maple Ridge on Saturday afternoon. The Royals claimed the opener in dramatic fashion with a 4-3 walk-off victory before taking the second game 11-1 in six innings. While the results were not what North Delta was hoping for, the day highlighted both the challenges the club is currently facing and the resilience that has helped keep them among the top teams in the province throughout the season.

Injuries and illness have impacted several key members of the Pirates roster in recent weeks, forcing the club to lean heavily on its depth. Those challenges were evident throughout the afternoon, but one significant bright spot emerged with the return of longtime North Delta baseball product Jack Utsunomiya. After beginning the season with the Delta Blue Jays of the Premier Baseball League, circumstances led him back to the North Delta Baseball Association. Initially joining one of the organization's 18U AA Rays teams, Utsunomiya was called up to the Pirates and immediately made a positive impression.

The opening game showcased the Pirates' competitiveness despite the difficult circumstances. North Delta received four scoreless innings from starter Eliaz Murti and led 3-0 at the middle of the sixth after a Tyler Conway double scored Matthew Sarkessian, a Payton Harper single scored Tevin Bentley, and a Lucas Stebbings walk scored Conway. But Ridge Meadows answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth and walked it off in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 4-3 victory.

The narrow loss was disappointing for North Delta given Murti's strong start and the fact that they played relatively clean defensive baseball. Ultimately, Ridge Meadows capitalized on a few late opportunities, collecting 10 hits and edging North Delta in a tightly contested battle that could easily have gone either way.

Game two began positively for the Pirates when Harper delivered an RBI single in the opening inning to give North Delta an early lead. The Royals, however, responded immediately and steadily built momentum throughout the afternoon. Utsunomiya made his first appearance on the mound for the Pirates, showing flashes of promise despite the challenging result. The right-hander struck out three batters over two innings while also displaying athleticism on the bases, stealing two bags later in the game. Reliever Calvin Mattu provided valuable innings in relief as North Delta worked to preserve its pitching staff.

Although the Royals ultimately pulled away, there were still positive performances for the Pirates. Harper, Jack Riley, and Conway each recorded two hits, helping North Delta collect eight hits as a team. Utsunomiya's steady defence at third base in the first game and his willingness to take the ball in game two provided an encouraging glimpse of what he may bring moving forward. With the roster currently stretched by injuries and illness, his arrival could prove to be an important boost as the season enters a critical stage.

While Saturday's losses exposed some of the challenges currently facing the Pirates, they also served as a reminder of the character within the group. North Delta has spent much of the season proving it can compete with the province's best teams, and periods of adversity are often where that character is tested most. The Pirates will look to regroup, get healthier, and continue building momentum when they return to action against the Vancouver Expos on Sunday at Mackie Field. With more than half the season remaining, one thing is clear - this team's story remains far from finished.

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