57’s close in on division lead
The Swift Current 57’s inched closer towards the Western Canada Baseball League Eastern Division lead with a 4-1 record last week. The pitching staff continued to lead the way as they secured wins over divisional rivals Weyburn and Regina.
The 57’s finished the week with a 32-17 record, only 1.5 games back of Regina for top spot in the division.
Wednesday, the 57’s scored five runs in seventh inning to defeat the host Weyburn Beavers 8-3 in a game that was ended midway through the eighth inning due to weather.
Garrett Alexander got the win with a scoreless final inning on the mound. Starter Tyler Murphy held the Beavers to four hits and two runs over five innings while striking out five.
Left-fielder John Sechen hit a three-run home run as he finished with two hits and two runs scored. Tanner Holen doubled twice, walked, scored once, and had two runs batted in.
Thursday, the 57’s were edged 2-1 by the visiting Medicine Hat Mavericks. They were held to two hits and one run by lefty Garrett Nicholson.
Brandon Oneill limited the Mavericks to four hits and one run while striking out six over six innings.
The 57’s scored their only run in the seventh inning when Kiel Krumwiede doubled home James Moses.
Friday, the 57’s rebounded with a 10-2 win over the host Moose Jaw Miller Express. After trailing early, the 57’s scored twice in the fourth and added an insurance run in the eighth. They put the game well out of reach with a seven-run ninth inning.
Mitchell Waletzki earned the win with three scoreless innings. Reliever Diego Jordan also tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Catcher Luis Navarro hit a three-run home run to cap the explosive ninth inning. Second baseman Elvin Alamo walked, singled, tripled, scored twice and had one RBI. Third baseman Breyden Eckout doubled, singled, scored, and had two RBI.
Saturday, the 57’s let a sixrun lead evaporate, but recovered for a 7-6 win against the visiting Miller Express. Isiah Campa singled home Vinny Margiotta for the walkoff win.
Sechen hit a three-run home run to help the 57’s build up a 6-0 lead as he finished with four hits, two runs scored, and four RBI.
Campa, generally a pitcher, singled twice, scored, and had two RBI. Ryan Magdic finished with three hits and one RBI. Alamo singled twice and scored twice.
Sunday, the 57’s knocked off the division leading Regina Red Sox on the strength of four scoreless innings from their bullpen. Finnigan Duffield got the win with two hitless innings. Jordan and Alexander also added scoreless innings to seal the win.
Starter Isiah Campa gave the 57’s a chance to win as he allowed four hits, one walk, and two runs over five innings, while striking out six.
Navarro led the 57’s with two doubles, one walk, two runs scored, and two RBI. Sechen added a two-rbi double, while Jared Binsfeld also singled a run home. Krumwiede and Alamo also had two hits apiece.
The 57’s will conclude the regular season with five games over the next six days, including four games on the road.
The 57’s are in Brooks on Thursday to conclude a twogame set against the Bombers. They head to Okotoks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for three games against the WCBL leading Dawgs at Seaman Stadium.
The 57’s will conclude the regular season on Tuesday when they host the Regina Red Sox in what could be a pivotal game for Eastern Division playoff positioning.