Owen Csada and Cameron Beisal combined to toss a no-hitter – and were only two batters off a perfect game – as the Canucks rolled to an 11-0 win over the Regina Buffalos in action at Andrie Diamond.
Csada got the start in the contest, going three innings and using 44 pitches to strike out five and give up a single walk. That free pass, and an error in the second inning, would mark the only times the Buffalos would reach base on the night as Csada was untouchable throughout.
The pitch-limit-counter forced the Canucks starter to the sidelines for the fourth inning, but it mattered little, as Beisal would need only 17 pitches to get through the final two frames, striking out a pair to close out the contest.
It certainly didn’t hurt that the Canucks offence gave their pitchers all the support they’d need, and early at that.
A four-spot in the first inning gave the local squad a quick 4-0 lead, and they’d tack on two more in the fourth and a final five in the fifth to invoke the mercy rule.
Max Simmons had a stellar night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a pair of runs batted in, while Beisal helped out his own cause with a 2-for-3 showing that included a pair of runs and three RBI.
Noah Thul was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, Riley Cushway 2-for-2 with a pair of runs. Kale Pratte had a single hit but ended up putting the ball in play each at bat, finishing with three RBI.
The Canucks – holders of first place with a 13-5-1 record – will close out the regular season and gear up for the playoffs on Tuesday when they travel to Regina to face the White Sox.
