Hutchings Betters Snellenberg, Domingo and Antiporda Provide Timely Hitting; Expos Shutout Burnaby.

It was yet another sunny evening in East Vancouver, the Burnaby Braves took a trip to Nanaimo Park for an exhibition game to face the Vancouver Minor Expos. Both these teams clashed just a week ago in a light scrimmage game in the attempt to kick off some rust. Coming into today, both squads had played a few exhibition games and with just over a week to go before opening day all teams are itching to get the 2016 season underway.

Pitching and defence was the story in this one, Hutchings was given the start while Burnaby's ace, Sam Van Snellenberg (SVS) opposed. Hutchings struggled to find the zone to start the game but escaped out of a tough first inning jam with back to back K's with 2 runners in scoring position. SVS had no problem finding the zone and no problem mixing in a nasty breaking ball with a fastball sporting some serious velocity. The top half of the Expos lineup struggled to hit SVS as the first 5 outs were strikeouts courtesy of SVS. However, in the 2nd inning Baybay stepped up and took a high fastball mistake up the middle for his first base knock of the season and after stealing a couple bags Domingo with 2 strikes and 2 outs on him hit a clutch RBI opposite field single (advanced to 3rd on RF error) to score the first run of the game, not long after scoring on a pass ball to make it 2-0.

Hutchings managed to settle down after a high pitch count first inning, he not only matched Van Snellenberg's start today but bettered him, both starters going 4 innings a piece. The Braves and Expos both displayed brilliant defence throughout the entire game, the Expos committed 2 errors (none costly). Horino and Domingo followed Hutchings on the mound and both pitched well en route to a 5-0 win.

With regards to hitting, Antiporda had a clutch 2 out 2-run double while Baybay recorded a multi-hit night.

The Expos travel to Richmond for a 9-inning exhibition game on Saturday where they will face a very strong Chuckers squad who currently hold an ERA of sub 1, the 'Bos know they'll have to be at their best to compete.