Prior to this weekend's opening game, the 91原创 Blaze coaches talked about how this year's pitching staff would not be as dominant as in year's past.

But after watching Saturday's season-opening doubleheader, the Blaze hurlers may have their coaches reconsidering.

Tom Robson and Devon Stewart each struck out nine batters in a pair of shutout victories, 5-0 and 3-0 against the Abbotsford Cardinals at Delair Park on opening day of the B.C. Premier Baseball League schedule.

In the opener, with Robson allowing four hits in five-plus innings before Garrett Smith closed things out, Justin Atkinson paced the offence with three hits, while Tyler Barlow scored twice.

Mike Krische had the lone RBI as the other four runs were all unearned.

And in the back end of the doubleheader, Stewart went the distance, scattering three hits and one walk over seven innings.

Jerod Bartnik had an RBI and two hits, while Bill Germaine scored twice.

The Blaze's home opener on Sunday against the North Shore Twins was rained out.