BY TRUMAN BARTMAN ON AUGUST 9TH, 2024. THE MAVERICKS.CA

After a stunning game one upset in which the Berries captured their first playoff win in franchise history. The Mavericks found their mojo on the road, claiming a 3-0 win to extend the series to a third game. 

Josh Landry had a career day on the mound in his second start as a Maverick. Landry was an ace in college, and that should be why he was placed in said role by throwing an 8-inning 12 strikeout game. 

Both offences were fairly quiet last night, which isn’t usually the case in a hitter-friendly league like the WCBL. Jaden Babiuk put the Mavs on his back offensively, cashing in 2 RBIs and also coming through in an 8-pitch at-bat versus Nick Nolan.

There’s nothing better than a win-or-go-home playoff game, and tonight at Athletic Park both teams will play knowing their season is on the line.

Keys for Medicine Hat

The Mavericks didn’t have their typical offensive slugfest take place yesterday, but good teams find ways to win games even when things are a touch off.

The Mavs saw their top half of the lineup have a silent night compared to previous games, but the bottom half of the lineup shined and pulled through enough to bring the series back to Alberta. 

It will be hard to keep the Berries at bay for one more game, so the bats will need to get going in today’s game. 

Brody Gardner is one player that you can expect to break out of his slump. In the regular season, he was one of the most consistent hitters in the WCBL but is yet to record a hit in the playoffs.

Outside of that, the Mavericks have Jack Novak available tonight. The question is whether he will come in as a starter or be used in relief. Novak has been a dominant piece of the Mavericks rotation this year with a craftiness that many pitchers do not possess.

Novak is a younger member of the Mavs, but he plays like he is a veteran and demands batters have caution when facing him.

Medicine Hat has a chance to advance to the second round for the 3rd consecutive year, and it will be the third year they will face the Moose Jaw Miller Express if they do take this one. 

Keys for Saskatoon

The Berries looked well on their way to finishing off this series after putting up 6 runs in game 1. They had a great opportunity to take over yesterday’s game early when they had the bases loaded with no outs. Josh Landry and the Mav’s defence shut them down, churning out three straight outs and turning the game’s tables. 

Carter Beck was once again a powerful force for the Berries, but the support around his stardom was lackluster. The Berries have to take a chunk of momentum back and grab an early lead in this one.

The Mavericks have been a better team playing from behind, but that was during the regular season. The playoffs are a different beast, and for Saskatoon pressure, especially on the road, is something that they can use to their advantage.

According to sources, it will be Mattias Trondson from Toronto, Ontario, on the mound for Saskatoon, trying to help them acquire their first playoff series win in franchise history. 

Trondson enters tonight’s game with a 1-1 record over the 10 games he has appeared in. It is important to note that he started all 19 of his career appearances at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M from 2022 to 2023, so he is more than capable of handling the role.

Bottom Line

The stage is officially set for game 3 between the Medicine Hat Mavericks and Saskatoon Berries. One team will leave the ballpark with their championship still alive; the other will leave knowing that their season is over. 

There is lots on the line for both teams, but a lot to look forward to for the team that moves on through the first round of the WCBL playoffs to face the 4-seeded Moose Jaw Miller Express.