57’s heat up at midway point
The Swift Current 57’s found a winning formula last week as they began their climb up the Western Major Baseball League Eastern Division standings with four wins in five games. The 57’s averaged almost nine runs per game during that stretch as they moved into third spot in the division.
Wednesday, the 57’s scored 10 unanswered runs to hand the host Weyburn Beavers their third loss this season.
The 57’s trailed 7-1 after only four innings. They flipped the game in the seventh inning when they combined four hits with four walks and three errors to score nine runs for a 10-7 lead and added another run for an 11-7 win.
Blake Adams led the 57’s with three hits, including a double, two runs scored, one run batted in, one hit by pitch, and one stolen base. Leadoff man Ethan Hunter set the table with two hits, two RBI, and one run scored. Jerad Dokey also had a two-hit outing, while Mitch Dean, Ryan Gross, and Will Baker each scored twice. Bo Mcclintock finished with one hit, two walks, one run scored, and two RBI.
Jack Ferguson picked up the win after allowing seven hits, one walk, and seven runs, only four that were earned, while striking out eight over six innings.
Matt Fiorini got the next four outs and Nick Hooper got the final five outs during three scoreless relief innings.
Thursday, the 57’s moved above the .500 mark for the first time this season with a 14-7 win over the host Lethbridge Bulls.
The 57’s knocked out 19 hits and put together four multiple run innings, capped by a five-run eighth inning to seize control of the game.
Catcher Ben Komonosky led the 57’s with four hits, three runs scored, and two runs batted in out of the cleanup spot. Anthony Stewart had a big night out of the nine-hole with three hits, including a triple, one run scored, and five RBI.
Myles Miller and Dean each finished with three hits, three runs scored, and one RBI.
Brock Gilliam got the win after allowing four hits, one walk, and one run while striking out five over 3.1 relief innings.
Friday, the 57’s continued to swing some hot bats as they doubled up the Lethbridge Bulls for a second straight night in a 12-6 win.
First baseman Bo Mcclintock continued his assault on Western Major Baseball League pitching with two home runs, one triple, five runs batted in, and three runs scored.
Right fielder Myles Miller had a night to remember in Lethbridge with six hits as he finished a triple short of the cycle with a home run, a double, and four singles in six plate appearances. He scored three runs, knocked two home, and stole a base.
Starter Joey Machado got the win after allowing seven hits, two walks, and one earned run while striking out four over five innings.
Sunday, the 57’s held off the highpowered Medicine Hat Mavericks for seven innings before losing 4-3 in extra innings.
The 57’s scored the first three runs of the ball game before the Mavericks scored three runs in the eighth inning to force extra innings en route to their 10th straight win. Medicine Hat scored the winning run when Colton Wright scored on a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning.
Mcclintock clubbed his 12th home run of the season to tie the franchise record as the 57’s passed the midway point of the 48-game regular season.
57’s starter Garrett Hawkins pitched five scoreless innings, allowing four walks and one hit, while striking out eight to lower his earned run average to 2.02.
Monday, Jacob Campen and Tommy Steier combined to shutout the Moose Jaw Miller Express in a 3-0 win for the host 57’.
Campen was outstanding in his 57’s debut with six scoreless innings, holding the Express to three hits and one walk while striking out three. Steier added three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three.
Miller doubled home Adams in the fourth inning to open the scoring as he finished with three hits to raise his average to .444 since joining the team. Miller and Ben Komonosky also scored on an error during the three-run inning.
The 57’s moved past the Miller Express for third in the Eastern Division with a 14-12 record, while Moose Jaw fell to 13-12.
The 57’s have five games this week, including three home dates. They open the week at home on Thursday against Moose Jaw, followed by a visit from the Regina Red Sox on Friday.
The 57’s will also visit the Medicine Hat Mavericks on Sunday and the Weyburn Beavers on Monday. They host the Moose Jaw Miller Express again on Wednesday.