57’s earn first winning streak
The Swift Current 57’s attempted to overcome a slow start to the Western Major Baseball League season with two wins and two losses last week. They finished the week with a 3-6 record in fifth spot in the Eastern Division.
The 57’s early season struggles continued Wednesday in a 4-3 loss to the visiting Moose Jaw Miller Express. The 57’s scored twice in the final inning but their comeback attempt fell short with the bases loaded.
The 57’s scored their first run in the opening inning when Bryan Benz doubled home Jerad Dokey after Moose Jaw had scored twice in the top of the inning.
Moose Jaw added another run in the second inning and one more in the seventh to lead 4-1.
The 57’s added a second run in the ninth inning when Alex Orenczuk singled home Tyler Wojciechowski. Ethan Hunter then singled to score Benz to make it 4-3.
Jake Pennington took the loss after allowing seven hits, one walk, and three runs over six innings.
Jesse Marks earned the win with six innings of three-hit ball while allowing only one unearned run.
Thursday, the 57’s took advantage of seven errors to defeat the host Yorkton Cardinals 5-4.
The 57’s took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Anthony Stewart singled home Dauson Tate and Will Baker scored on a wild pitch.
The 57’s added two runs in the fourth inning when Bo Mcclintock and Tate both scored on errors.
Yorkton came back with two runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth to tie the game 4-4.
The 57’s regained the lead in the seventh inning when Wojciechowski singled home Ethan Hunter for the winning run.
Carter Buuck allowed seven hits, one walk, and two runs while striking out four over five innings in the start.
Nick Hooper pitched 2.1 innings of hitless relief to earn the win and then Mitch Guiberson got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Friday, 57’s earned their first winning streak of the season with a 6-1 victory over the host Cardinals.
The 57’s only managed five hits, but combined them with 10 walks and four Yorkton errors to defeat the winless Cardinals 6-1.
Zach Brava led the 57’s to the win after seven innings of four-hit baseball, allowing two walks and one earned run while striking out three along the way.
Reliever Aaron Pugh added two hitless innings to help preserve the win.
Mcclintock provided all the offense the visitors would need with a three-run home run in the first inning, his second long ball of the season.
Left-fielder Bryan Benz was on base three times, including an RBI double in the seventh inning. Shortstop Ethan Hunter was also on base with a walk and a single and finished with two runs scored and two runs batted in.
The 57’s improved to 3-5, while Yorkton dipped to 0-6.
Sunday, the 57’s first winning streak of the season came to an end in a 5-4 loss to the visiting Regina Red Sox.
The 57’s knocked out 13 hits, including seven for extra bases, but left 10 runners on base as their two-game winning streak came to an end.
They took an early lead on a Benz home run in the first inning. Regina replied with two runs in the fifth inning, but Mcclintock hit a two-run blast to centre field during a three-run bottom of the inning.
Regina took the lead for good with a three-run sixth inning to close the scoring.
Starter Garrett Hawkins had a solid outing with 5.1 innings of six-hit ball, but was tagged with four earned runs when some inherited runners scored in the sixth inning. The 6’5’’ righty from Biggar struck out five and allowed one walk in his 57’s debut.
Benz finished the game with four hits, only a double short of the cycle. Dokey contributed two doubles, while Hunter and Orenczuk also had two-hit outings.
The 57’s will continue a six-game home stand when they host Melville again on Thursday and Friday. They also host Fort Mcmurray on Saturday.
The 57’s will be back in Yorkton to face the Cardinals on Monday and Tuesday.
They will host the Edmonton Prospects on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2017 WMBL championship series that ended in game five at Mitchell Field.