BY TRUMAN BARTMAN. THEMAVERICKS.CA
It took 10 innings to finish off yesterday’s game as the Mavericks once again got it done at home, winning 6-5. Saturday night’s game produced yet another pitching duel as Danny Retzlaff and Dylan Parton showed out for their respective squads. Retzlaff went 5 innings, striking out 8 batters, while Parton worked for one inning longer before being pulled. In what was a low-scoring affair, the Mavs finished the job in extra innings courtesy of a walk-off hit by pitch.
The Beavers now enter today’s game on a 5-game losing streak dating back to their previous home stand. Weyburn also sits 5 games back of the Mavericks in the East Division standings.
That being said, a few Beavers seemed to elevate their play last night in an attempt to end their winless slide. Ryan Dauphinee was a magnet on defence, snatching up several hard-hit grounders at first.
Away from the field, Trevor Dale had himself a night at the dish, hitting two clutch home runs and knocking home all 5 of the Beavers’ runs. Replicating a performance like yesterday’s isn’t something Dale can bank on; he will need support from his teammates if the Beavers want to leave Medicine Hat victorious.
A new face will be assigned the duty of shutting down Weyburn as the Mavs’ youngest player makes his Athletic Park debut. 17-year-old Gary Dornan didn’t expect to start this season, but after a strong showing in Swift Current, Coach Thornhill has given him the keys.
Batting-wise, the Mavericks will stick to a similar formula again today. Jeremy Freeman Jr. will be at the centre of attention, hitting in the lead-off spot where he has found his flow. The speedy outfielder has been killing teams on the basepath with 10 stolen bases already on his resume.
The combination of Yusei Uzawa and Freeman Jr has created a living nightmare for opposing defences. If there’s one trait that cannot be stopped, it’s speed, and the Mavs are fortunate to have two of the fastest players in the WCBL on their team.
The Mavs and Beavers are right back at it today as they close out their weekend series starting at 2:05 pm. It’s also Little League Day at Athletic Park as kids from all over the city gather with their teammates to cheer on the Mavs!