BY TRUMAN BARTMAN ON JUNE 3RD, 2024. THE MAVERICKS.CA

Sunday afternoon was a day to forget if you’re the Mavericks. For the crew in black and orange, it was their most complete showing at the plate this year. 

Fort McMurray found a way to score 16 on the Mavs while only allowing 5. Their scoring touch was on full display in the top of the 7th when they tallied 12 runs.

It will be interesting to see if a pattern starts to take shape in terms of allowing a high volume of runs or if yesterday was just a small bump in the road. 

Keys for Medicine Hat

It starts with putting yesterday’s game in the past and using it to address some of the team’s struggles before they get out of hand. 

For Coach Kevin Mitchell having a connection with each player individually is super important “Each day I like to check in with as many guys as I can; it helps me gauge how they’re feeling, and whether or not I need to dig a little deeper.”

The Mavericks will need to play with some urgency but at the same time maintain a calm deminer, especially at the plate. Fort McMurray’s pitchers each had solid outings, but not without a few mistakes. Medicine Hat failed to get the job done with runners on early in the game. Hopefully for their sake that changes quickly.

Mitchell saw some value in yesterday’s loss and feels it can be somewhat of a building point. “A game like yesterday can be really valuable if we handle it the right way. We’ve got a talented group, and one game that goes heavily in either direction doesn’t mean all that much. However, it’s important to bounce back quickly and prevent a loss like last night’s from trickling into the next day, or a few days. Energy and effort will be high tonight”.

Keys for Fort McMurray

The Giants have played as their name suggests throughout their last three matchups. They have hit the double-digit mark in runs in all three. This has them second in the WCBL in runs and first in hits with 96. 

Fort McMurray should roll with the same lineup today, there is no reason to change things up at this particular moment in time. Out-of-division matchups are going to be almost as important as those within the division for the Giants. Teams like the Okotoks Dawgs and Sylvan Lake Gulls are perennial powerhouses and may be tricky to pick up wins against. 

Fort McMurray has to continue to put their faith in stars like Michael Buckley, Jun Ho Son and Jaden Wiley tonight and those who’re outside of the big three hitters will have to create traffic on the base path and allow them to pile on runs.

Bottom Line

With the potential for rain, the Mavericks will look to weather the storm against the Giants as they look to light up the scoreboard once again. The action begins at 7:05 pm from Athletic Park on Medicine Hat Little League night.