57’s finding their way
The Swift Current 57’s won two of three games last week as they begin to climb the Western Major Baseball League standings with more consistent pitching and defensive play.
Wednesday, the 57’s took advantage of four errors to defeat the visiting Edmonton Prospects 12-2 in a rematch of last year’s WMBL championship series.
The top three batters in the 57’s line-up combined for nine hits, seven runs, and four runs batted in.
Ethan Hunter scored on an error in the third inning of the first run of the game. Will Baker scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning to double the lead.
The 57’s combined four hits with three errors to score four runs in the sixth inning to break the game open. Baker had the only RBI when he singled home Myles Miller, who had reached on an error.
The 57’s added two runs in the seventh inning when Ben Komonosky doubled home Hunter and Mcclintock.
The Prospects got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The 57’s responded with another three runs in the eighth inning when Hunter singled home Baker and Mcclintock doubled home two more runs and then Miller hit a sacrifice fly to score Hunter.
Carter Buuck got the win after holding the Prospects to six hits and two runs with no walks while striking out eight over 7.1 innings.
Michael Gahan took the loss after allowing eight hits, one walk, and six runs, only three that were earned, over six innings.
Thursday, the 57’s were no match for the league leading Weyburn Beavers.
The 57’s made four errors in an 8-2 loss as Weyburn improved to 14-1 on the season.
The Beavers put the game out of reach early with a home run in the first inning, followed by a four-run second inning.
Third baseman Jerad Dokey hit a home run for the 57’s in the fifth inning.
Chase Thometz earned the win after holding the 57’s to two hits, two walks, and one run, while striking out five over six innings.
Sunday, the 57’s, bolstered by the return of Blake Adams, hit four home runs in a 10-1 win over the host Brooks Bombers.
The reigning WMBL Rookie of the Year finished two-forfour with a home run, three runs scored, two runs batted in, and a stolen base in his first game of the season.
The 57’s got off to a perfect start when they got back-toback home runs from Adams and Komonosky.
Adams was pivotal in a tworun third inning as well. He singled home Hunter, stole second, and scored on a Mitch Dean single.
The 57’s added to their lead in the fifth inning with a solo home run from Bo Mcclintock, his ninth home run in only 19 games.
They added two runs in the sixth inning when Anthony Stewart singled home Dokey and then scored on a wild pitch.
Jered Binfield added a solo home run in the eighth inning. Adams was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning and scored on a Dean sacrifice fly. Alex Orenczuk doubled home Komonosky to close the scoring.
Garrett Hawkins got the win as he allowed two hits, two walks, and one earned run while striking out eight over six innings. Spencer Koelewyn and Aaron Pugh added scoreless relief appearances.
The 57’s improved to 9-10, while Brooks remained last in Western Division at 4-13 after their eighth straight loss.
The 57’s are scheduled to play five games in seven days this week. They are in Lethbridge on Thursday and Friday for games against the Bulls. The 57’s will also visit the Medicine Hat Mavs on Sunday.
The 57’s only home game this week will be on Monday when they host the Moose Jaw Miller Express. They also visit Moose Jaw on Tuesday and the Regina Red Sox on Wednesday.