Two wins, tie for local teams in Rambler Park fastball
It was a rare pitching duel in Rambler Park fastball action on Thursday night at Memorial Field – even though it looked in the early going that a lot of runs were going to be scored.
Moose Jaw Canadians pitcher Dean Holoien gave up a first inning home run to Standing Buffalo Dakotas shortstop Ernie Goodwill but settled down from there, striking out 13 in settling for a 2-2 draw.
Dakota’s pitcher Dwayne Redman also gave up a first inning run – Dane Roy led off with a single and then scored on a double by Holoien – and didn’t have the number of ‘K’s Holoien did but was effective nonetheless, keeping the ball in the park and putting his fielders to work. In other recent league action, the Canadians took a 5-1 victory over the Pasqua A’s, while the Moose Jaw Giants downed the NB Petro Hawks 8-3.
The Canadians remained undefeated and hold down first place in the Rambler Park league with a 5-0-2 record, while the Giants hold down fourth place with a 4-2 mark.
Canadians 2, Dakotas 2
The Dakotas took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth when Arlen Yuzicappi singled, went to second on a fielders choice and scored on a error.
That lead wouldn’t last long – Kent Barber led off the Canadians half of the fourth with a solo home run to once again tie the game.
The Canadians had a chance to win the game in the fifth with runners on first and third, but Redman managed to get a double play off the bat off Barber to escape the inning.
The Canadians finished the game with five hits, the Dakotas three.
Canadians 5, Pasqua 1
Xavier Tremblay and Holoien combined to hold the A’s to a single run on four hits to earn the win.
The Canadians scored three runs on a Holoien home run and three hits in the first inning before putting a pair of insurance runs across the plate in the sixth.
Brad Deconinck was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored to lead the Canadians.
The Giants scored six runs in the final two innings to blow open a close game and take the commanding win. With the game tied 2-2 through four, the Giants scored three runs on three hits before repeating the feat the next inning.
Joe MacDonald went 3-for-4 with three runs scored for the Giants, while Todd Whitehead was 3-for-4 with a run and a pair of RBI.
Derek Ross got the start and gave up two runs on three hits in five innings work; Tim McCaig closed out the contest, surrendering a run on two hits.