Parksville's Gurr has been Grrr-r-reat

RHP Seth Gurrr (Lethbridge, Alta.) pitched a complete game victory over the host Mid-Island Pirates at Serauxman Stadium.

By Mike Parlow

The Parksville Royals entered the Best of the West Island qualifier coming off a second-place performance at the Zack Downey Memorial tournament earlier in October and looking to build on that success.

Throughout the tournament, the Royals showed off a balanced offensive attack including stellar base-running that gave their opponents more than they could handle once men were on base.

There were lots of highlights from the tournament, but the signature performance was certainly Seth Gurr’s complete game victory over the host Mid-Island Pirates in Game 1.

Gurr has been a revelation for the Royals on the mound this Fall. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander, came to the Royals after playing Alberta Legion Baseball in Lethbridge last season. Gurr was a force from the first inning to the last. With a dominant fastball, he struck out eight Pirates including two in the bottom of the seventh. He scattered five hits and two runs -- one earned.

Gurr’s performance added to a stat line in September and October that has seen the uncommitted senior allow just three earned runs in 23 2/3 innings. That’s an ERA of 0.90 with 21 strikeouts against two walks.

“Seth’s commitment and conditioning have really helped him show results this fall,” said Royals coach Frank Kaluzniak. “He’s fearless out there, throws strikes, and keeps our defence in every inning.”

The Royals would go on to earn a spot in the final against the Victoria Mariners. Bridesmaids for the second consecutive tournament, the Royals fell to the Mariners 10-8 in a back and forth battle.

Team highs for the boys in purple include lead-off man Breydan Riecker with four stolen bases, four runs scored and .525 tournament OBP. Ryan Deagle was the OBP leader at .555 with a .444 average and two doubles. Cody Jackson hit .385 to go with three stolen bases and four RBIs.

LHP Ethan Dean (Parksville, BC) is headed to the Victoria Golden Tide.

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It is college signing season and the Royals’ first 2021 commitment is pitcher Ethan Dean. Dean, 6-foot-1, 165 pound lefty, has committed to the Victoria Golden Tide of the Canadian College Baseball Conference. A senior at Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville, he has recorded 24 strikeouts, 17 of those swinging, in 21 innings and has an ERA of 2.00. An academic standout as well as an ace on the mound, he will study computing science at the University of Victoria.

“When I have saw him throw, I really liked his make-up and competitive nature,” said Curtis Pelletier, Golden Tide coach. “Ethan has great stuff and is very projectable. I also had some people I trust recommend him.”

The Golden Tide will play their home games at Royal Athletic park in Victoria. Both pitching coach Ethan Fox and Pelletier are Parksville Royals alumni.