Canucks U18 AAA Pull Tough Split

By Robert Thomas

Canucks 4 - Wolfpack 3

Canucks 4 - Wolfpack 8

“I wouldn’t say good. We expected to win both of these games. We have a pretty good group here and we expect a lot out of them,” U 18 AAA head coach Taylor Elder said when if he felt good splitting a doubleheader.

The Canucks won Game One 4 - 3. The Wolfpack won Game Two 8 - 4.

The 11 - 7 Canucks had been hoping to take both games played last evening at Ross Wells Park.

“We come in expecting to win every game. A split in this situation is a disappointment to us to be honest,” Elder said.

Game One of the doubleheader would see the Canucks tied with the Wolfpack after to e Regina pack scored three runs in the third inning.

The Canucks had managed an uncharacteristic quick start scoring two runs in the first inning and a single run in the second inning.

The Wolfpack responded in the third inning with six runs ravaging the scoresheet.

“The first game was a good game. Rylan (Caplette - Tarrant) our starting pitcher was throwing a lot of strikes and getting guys out early in the count,” he said, adding “we did a lot of good things in the first game and found a way to come up and win at the end there.”

It all came down to the bottom of the seventh when the Canucks would score a run and seal a victory.

Canucks base runner Garritt Gulutzan is pursued by the Wolfpack’s catcher in a rundown to third base - MJ Independent photo

“Baseball is a game about failure,” Elder said about getting the big two run start in game two only to lose after the Wolfpack’s six run third inning erased the Canucks quick start.

“If you get a hit three times out of ten you’re doing good. So we capitalized on some of their mistakes early on and then we fell to sleep and they took advantage of us.”

Elder said it was all about finding a way to eliminate mistakes.

Despite being above 500 the Canucks had “given away” some key games.

“As I mentioned this is a team we need to win against. We’ve been doing some good things and we’ll build from that.”

Spencer Craig had pitching duties - MJ Independent photo

Elder said right now the Canucks have been battling injuries but in the next short while the team should be back together and stronger.

“We still have yet to field our full team so I’m hopeful this weekend Saturday we’re hosting the Saskatoon Diamondbacks that should be two good games. I’m hopeful to have a full team this weekend so we can a put it all together and see how we stack up by against them.”