The Vernon ANAF Diamondbacks started with hot bats, and finished with the brooms, as they swept the Penticton Pirates this past weekend. The Diamondbacks took advantage of mistakes made by the Pirates defence, got clutch hitting, and great pitching for the 4 game sweep.  The first game of the weekend was one of the most explosive offensive performances the D-Backs have ever had, a 23-0 Victory.  Josh Wade lead the way going 2-4 with a double and a triple, driving in 5 runs.  Tyler Amiel also had a good day at the plate, driving in 3 runs. Geoff Cleavely added 2 RBI, and Oggie Ortman, John McInnis, Aaron Himelson and TJ Novakowski all had RBI's as well.  Lost in the Offensive outburst was the start by Kevin Cross, who pitched 4 innings of no-hit baseball, striking out 8. Jeremiah Allison would come on in the 5^th, also allowing no hits, to combine with Cross on the first no-hitter in D-backs history.  McInnis took the mound for game #2, tossing 4 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits. He would give way to Kyle Anderson in the 5^th, as Anderson would throw 3 shutout innings of no-hit ball, with 6 strikeouts, to save the 5-1 victory.  Wade would continue his hitting assault, going 2 for 3 with another triple and another RBI.  Peter Ortman, Novakowski, and Oggie Ortman added RBI's.

The D-backs would come home Sunday to sunny Marshall Field, and take another pair from the hands of the Pirates.  Peter Ortman would get the ball in game 1, pitching 4 innings, allowing a single hit, and 2 runs. "It took a while to get used to the new mound, being so high up in the air like that," Ortman said, "once I got my breathing regulated at altitude, I was alright." The ANAF crew would chip away all day at the Pirates starter, scoring single runs in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd inning, before adding 2 in the 5^th. Jeremiah pitched a strong 1 1/3 innings, with Cross returning to get the last 4 outs for the save.  Ryan Boe and McInnis each had an RBI.  Game 4 turned out to be another battle for the D-backs, who held a 1-0 lead through 3 innings. After shutting them down in the top of the 4^th, the D-backs would explode with 2 outs, scoring 5 times in their turn at bat.  Oggie Ortman had an RBI, and Boe added a 2 RBI double. Penticton did not go away, scoring 3 runs off D-Backs starter Mike Patitucci in the 5^th. Patitucci would pitch 4+ innings, giving up 2 earned runs, and allowing 4 hits, while striking out 4.  Jarred Sochan would play set-up man, throwing 2 innings, and picking up his first career OMBL strikeout in the process.  Cleavely would make an outstanding diving catch with the bases loaded to end the 5^th inning, after coming off the bench as a defensive replacement. "I just saw the ball off the bat well and got a good jump, I just figured it was time to end the inning." Cleavely responded about his game saving catch. Anderson would get the call again in the 7^th with a 6-3 lead, striking out 2 to pick up his 2^nd save.  Next up for the Vernon ANAF Diamondbacks is a doubleheader against the same Pirates, May 8^th at Marshall Field. Game time is 1:00.