Canucks Defeat Regina In Chilly Evening Game
The weather may have been too cold to be called baseball weather but that didn’t stop the Moose Jaw Canucks A U18 team using hot base running to defeat the Regina White Sox 8 - 5 on Wednesday evening.
It was a close matchup with the Canucks holding a slim 6 - 4 lead at the end of five innings.
The Moose Jaw squad managed to score two runs in the sixth inning to cement the victory.
The game never went the regulation seven innings but was called after six innings as they ran out of time with darkness looming.
A FOUL BALL JUST ALLUDES CANUCKS PLAYER ETHAN VOLK
“It was a good game. They played how I knew they could play,” Canucks A head coach Ethan La Rose told MJ Independent in a post game interview.
“We had the odd mistake but they made up for it. They were aggressive on the bases. They were solid in the field. They were talking to each other so everyone knew what was going on,” La Rose said.
“Overall it was just a really good game from everyone. I’m proud of them today.”
The Canucks started the game strongly.
The team racked up six runs in the first three innings versus one run by the White Sox.
The Canucks scored one run in the first inning, two runs in the second inning and three runs in the third inning.
The White Sox scored their lone run in the first three innings in the first inning.
SAGE WESTERMANN OF THE CANUCKS TROTS BACK TO THE DUGOUT AFTER BEING TAGGED IN A RUNDOWN BETWEEN SECOND AND FIRST BASES
“There was always a couple of innings (when they are flat) but they were able to keep their momentum despite the mistakes. They were able to keep their energy high. They were able to keep the momentum. So I think that was the key factor for us.”
In the fourth and fifth innings the Canucks found themselves unable to generate any runs while the White Sox were able to score two runs in the fourth inning and one run in the fifth inning.
The top of the sixth inning saw the White Sox draw within one run of the Canucks.
But the Moose Jaw squad got their second wind in their half of the inning adding two runs.
Regina managed to capitalize on Moose Jaw mistakes in the infield to pick up extra bases either on hits or by stealing them.
A throwing error to first base on a hit saw the ball roll up to the fence and the White Sox player stretch what should have been a single into a triple that turned into a run.
Another solid play saw a Regina runner steal second base and then proceed to steal third base diving in a alluding the tag by Dominic Harvey.
A REGINA WHITE SOX PLAYER DIVES SAFELY INTO THIRD BASE AS DOMINIC HARVEY ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE TAG
“I was concerned but you know our players were making plays..,and you know sometimes they knock into each other. You know you hate to see it but it happens some times unfortunately,” La Rose said.
“We are doing pretty good,” he said discussing the teams three wins and two losses record so far this season.
Practice will see the Canucks work on communication with each other in the field.
They will also work on keeping runners from advancing bases and a lot of batting practice.
Asked about the team’s weak points on Wednesday evening La Rose said it was the team not being able to hold runners.
“Runners were able to gain extra bases and a little bit of focus issue but not nearly as bad as we’ve had in our past games. Overall it was a solid game,” he said.
On the plus side La Rose said the team’s strong point was its’ energy.
“Our energy, our defence, our base running is a huge strong point. We have a lot of smart base runners.”
Asked if he had anything else to add La Rose said the game showed “how the team can play and I’m hoping they can keep it up.”
ADAM SING WAS THE STARTING PITCHER FOR THE CANUCKS
The win puts the Canucks record over .500 as they sport a 3 - 2 record.
The record for the week was a heartbreaking loss on Monday to the visiting Balcarres Broncs and the victory over the White Sox.
This weekend the Canucks are in Southey on Saturday to take on the Eagles.