As of early June, there’s no hotter 18U AAA baseball team in the province than the Penticton Tigers.
Entering a doubleheader on the road Saturday, June 3, against the Richmond City Chuckers, the team has won six out of their last seven games while sitting atop BC Baseball’s divisional standings.
Penticton (15-5 in league play and 18-8 overall) has outscored its opponents 48-5 during its current six-game win streak, including by way of an 11-1 victory against Tri-City Thunder on May 28, and most recently with an 8-3 win over rivals the Kelowna Sun Devils at home earlier this week.
“Offensively we are turning up the heat just like the weather,” said Josh Snider, the team’s skipper and lead player development coach at the South Okanagan Minor Baseball Association. “The hitters are putting in time and effort every day at practice and on their own and it is starting to show.”
When it comes to 18U AAA teams, Penticton’s +81 run differential is the best in the province.
Snider says that’s due in large part to the Tigers’ starting rotation, who’s combined to post an ERA of 1.56 in the early goings of 2023.
“Our pitching came out and dominated the first part of the year,” he said. “Every number we have called on has come into the game and filled up the strike zone.
“We are excited to see what they can continue to do and can not wait to see how they progress.”
The team returns home June 13, to host the Sun Devils, following road showdowns with Richmond, the Chilliwack Cougars and South Fraser Giants.
Penticton holds a slim one-game lead on Cloverdale, with just half the season remaining.
READ MORE: Trio of goaltenders Penticton-bound as Vees announce more recruits
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