Canucks U18 A Storm The Beaches In Come From Behind Victory
“Let’s (explicitive) go,” an excited Moose Jaw Canucks U18 A player shouted as he scrambled out of the dugout and onto the field for the seventh inning in a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood war movie.
In this case though popping out of an aging Ross Wells Park dugout instead of a hastily constructed trench.
“Hey watch the language,” a coach warned.
“Sorry,” the player said before heading onto the field.
But you could hardly blame the player.
The Canucks had just had one of the best innings of the season. A far cry from this past Sunday’s quiet and subdued play.
The bats were singing, the hits were massive and the Canucks had just come from behind to hold a 12 - 7 lead with three more outs to victory over the visiting Regina Athletics.
Canucks reliever Austin Kretsch came into the game to relieve starter Zack Phillipation at the three and two-third innings mark - MJ Independent photo
And the Canucks reliever Austin Kretsch had just hit an inside the park home run to score two runs.
The team was loud and proud a 180 degree turn from the lethargically relatively quiet double header they played this past Sunday.
“That is how you rally a ball game. That is how you harness the energy,” head coach Ethan La Rose told the Canucks players in their post game chat.
The mood in the coaching/players meeting was light and jubilant and not like a drill sergeant’s lecture in a forgotten yesterday.
Canucks starter Zack Phillipation during the first inning - MJ Independent photo
The Regina Athletics got to starter Zack Phillipation in the first inning scoring four runs.
The Canucks would reply with a single run in the bottom half of the first.
The hometown team was unable to capitalize stranding two base runners.
The second inning would see the Athletics score a single run.
Once again the Canucks stranded a base runner in scoring position.
The score after two innings was Athletics 4 and Canucks 1.
At the edge of the dugout - MJ Independent photo
The third inning saw the Athletics come to bat and the first two batters ground out.
The Athletics had a bit of a bump when a third routine ground ball was misthrown to first base allowing the runner to get to second.
The next Athletics’ batter would ground out.
The Canucks half of the inning saw them come alive.
Jaden Gerbrandt would hit a single scoring two.
A fly ball hit by Cohen Schlamp appeared a routine catch but an outfielder missing the ball made for a double.
With two out Colton Lacelle would punch a ground ball past second base scoring a run.
The game was tied 5 - 5 after three innings.
The fourth inning saw the Athletics pitcher Dominic K punch a single. He would immediately steal second base and a few pitches later steal third base.
With two out the Canucks had a pitching change when Austen Kretsch came in to relieve starter Zack Phillipation .
The Athletics would score two runs but left the bases loaded on the strikeout.
The Canucks bats seemed to come alive when Dominic Harvey punched a weak ground ball single that just bounced over a sprawling Athletics’ pitcher.
The next Canucks’ batter would punch a single making Moose Jaw have runners at first and second.
A pass ball would advance the runners to second and third where they would be stranded at the end of the inning.
The score at the end of five innings was Regina 7 and Moose Jaw 5.
Canucks bat catcher Brayden Wood (left) runs down an Athletics base runner who tried to grab home but changed his mind - MJ Independent photo
The fifth inning would see neither team score any runs but the Canucks’ dugout became increasingly loud as they cheered and encouraged their teammates.
The sixth inning saw the Canucks chatter go wild as they quickly retired the Athletics scoreless at the top of the inning.
The dugout became as loud as tornado as Canucks’ batter after batter tore apart Regina’s reliever.
Colton Lacelle would hit a single that turned into a double on a throwing error by the Athletics to first base.
A long double by Dominic Harvey would score Lacelle.
A triple by Kayd Halyk would result in two RBIs. The sixth inning rout was on.
With two out Austin Kretsch would have a massive hit to deep center field where he would earn an inside the park home run.
The inning ended with the Canucks would score seven runs in the inning making the score 12 - 7 for Moose Jaw.
Regina was unable to score any runs in the seventh inning giving Moose Jaw a 12 - 5 victory.
First baseman Gilbert Johnson loses his footing as he reached for a throw. The Athletics runner was called safe - MJ Independent photo
Canucks U18 A coach Ethan La Rose was ecstatic with the team’s play.
“It was a great game from the boys tonight. We went down early but you know historically we kind of get down on ourselves today they kept the energy high and kept their hopes up and it paid off,” La Rose said, adding “they had an insane comeback late in the game and closed it out.”
Asked to compare the team that showed up on Wednesday evening versus the team that showed up for the double header on Sunday he said “night and day.”
“This is the ball team I know I had at the start of the season. That other ball team was something of the past.’
Asked about the monster sixth inning when the Canucks bats and encouragement connected he said it was incredible.
“That sixth inning was incredible. You know we have guys not swinging too hard they were just putting bat on ball and generating singles.”
Canucks’ Kaden Gerbrandt (left) looks back at the Athletics catcher as he is about to be tagged out in a rundown after slipping on the wet ground - MJ Independent photo
A standout for the Canucks on Wednesday evening was reliever Austin Kretsch who for the most part kept the Athletics’ batters at bay while at the same time crushing the ball into deep centre field that resulted in an inside the park home run.
“It (the sixth inning) was a great inning for them. They kept the energy high the whole game and kept their hopes up I am really proud of them today.”
The sixth inning was an inning where everyone was hating for the team.
“They really took their approach seriously today. They were just swinging for the fences,” he saids.
Although some of the base runners were not the fastest when it came to running the bases they nevertheless came at the Athletics in waves.
“You know they were very smart base runners. Their approaches at the plate were very good. The first pitcher for Regina you know he was incredible and he is a very good pitcher so I’m proud they were able to weather the storm and bring it back.”
An Athletics runner touches first base as Canucks first baseman Gilbert Johnson is about to catch the ball. The runner was called out on the play - MJ Independent photo
The Canucks next home game is Thursday June 20th at Montgomery Field when they take on the Indian Head Rockets. Game time is 6:30 pm with the game getting underway at 6:30 pm.