DALLAS — The Seattle Orcas produced another spirited performance on Friday afternoon but fell just short against MI New York, losing by 17 runs at Grand Prairie Stadium in a contest that showcased the squad’s fight and resilience.

After being asked to bowl first, Seattle's attack once again rose to the occasion against the defending champions. Captain Marcus Stoinis delivered one of the finest individual bowling performances in Major League Cricket history, claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul that repeatedly halted MI New York's momentum. Ottniel Baartman continued his outstanding campaign with two important breakthroughs, while Ali Sheikh also chipped in with a wicket as Seattle restricted the defending champions to a competitive total despite several threatening partnerships.

Chasing a challenging target of 180, Tim Seifert once again led from the front with a superb 88, producing another high-class innings that kept the Seattle Orcas firmly in the contest. The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter combined positive stroke play with composure, giving Seattle every chance deep into the chase. Contributions from the middle order helped maintain the momentum at key stages, but the target ultimately remained just out of reach despite the team's determined effort.

The match once again highlighted the balance within the Seattle lineup. Stoinis' brilliance with the ball, Seifert's outstanding knock at the top of the order and another disciplined performance from the bowling unit reinforced the quality that has been evident throughout the campaign. The fielding group also maintained its energy and intensity, supporting the bowlers with sharp work in the field during another competitive outing.

Personnel Changes As Team Still Competes For The Postseason

Although the result did not go Seattle's way, the team left the match with plenty of positives to build on heading into the final game of the regular season. The Seattle Orcas now return to Grand Prairie Stadium on Saturday evening for a must-win matchup against the San Francisco Unicorns, with first ball scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PDT. Seattle will be without Dasun Shanaka and Ottniel Baartman, who have departed for national team duty, while Matthew Breetzke will also be unavailable from Sunday because of international commitments. Evan Jones and Shashwat Kohli have joined the squad ahead of Saturday's matchup as the Orcas look to overcome this loss and finish the regular season on a winning note with a Major League Cricket postseason berth still within reach.