U15 AAA Canucks Go To 18 - 0
By Robert Thomas
It may have been a wet and cold weekend but the Moose Jaw U15 AAA Canucks scored a trio of wins to move to a perfect 18 - record in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League (SPBL).
The three wins also hit the rung of one of the Canucks season goals by raising them into the top tier of playoffs. The top 10 teams in the league advance.
The Canucks kicked off the weekend of winning in Regina where they defeated the A’s 8 - 3. The win came on the heels of the Canucks building up an early 5 - 0 lead.
Taylor Usher rounds third base headed for home on a triple by Neal Kohl in game two of Sunday’s double header. Kohl’s triple drove in two runs for the Canucks - MJ Independent photo
Sunday Game One
Canucks 4 - Sask 5 Giants 3
Sunday’s double header versus the Sask 5 Giants out of Martensville saw the Canucks face the greatest threat to their perfect winning streak this season.
The Sask 5 Giants took an early 3 - 0 lead - which seemed insurmountable - after the first inning.
The Canucks managed though to claw their way back and claim victory when Van Glasser got on base with a single and score the winning run.
Sunday Game Two
Canucks 4 - Sask 5 Giants 1
The Canucks had an easier time in game two of Sunday’s double header.
The Canucks scored a run in the third inning to go ahead 1 - 0.
On the mound pitcher Lucas Lind held the Sask 5 Giants scoreless for six full innings.
The game winning play came in the fifth inning when Neal Kohl stood up at the plate and hit a solid triple.
Kohl’s three base shot recorded a pair of RBIs as Emery Schoenroth and Taylor Usher crossed home plate. Kohl would later trot across home plate to further cement the Canucks’ victory.
The Sask 5 Giants would score a run in the seventh inning but the comeback attempt was thwarted.
Lucas Lind pitched six innings in the second game of Sunday’s double header - MJ Independent photo
Canucks U15 AAA head coach Craig Flanagan had nothing but respect for his opponents.
“The first thing I want to say in regards to today that’s a very good team over there - Sask 5. I was just impressed with their team overall. That’s a tough team to beat,” Flanagan said.
He pointed out the quality of the pitching from both sides as key to the two low scoring games.
“We were set up with some of our stronger pitching today so I was expecting low scoring games.”
Asked if the three run kickoff by the Sask 5 Giants in Game One of Sunday’s doubleheader gave him fears the Canucks winning streak was over Flanagan said it didn’t as he has his mind on winning before and during the game.
“Our team has belief in themselves that even if they get down in games we’re going to climb back into the game and give ourselves a chance to win.”
The Neal Kohl triple in Game Two was the straw that broke Martensville’s back.
Kohl had two curve balls thrown at him and a third that hung out there was something he got around on Flanagan said.
“When Neal (Kohl) gets a chance to drive in runs he usually picks our team up.”
Flanagan said the pitching was strong and likewise the defence as well.
About the winning streak he said “we’re just kind of taking it game to game. Like I said our team has a really good believe in ourselves. We are going to give ourselves a chance to win every game.”
Lined up for a strike - MJ Independent photo
Second Game starter Lucas Lind recorded the win after pitching six full innings. Taylor Usher faced four batters in relief giving up a single run at the top of the seventh inning.
“I was able to execute my fastballs. I was able to get my pitches where I wanted them,” Lind said.
“The first game we came out a little bit slow but we came back into the game. The second game we were able to hold the lead and not give it up. A good game.”
Lind said the close games like they had on Sunday were good because they helped build mental toughness.
The cool wet weather had little effect on Lind’s play although his cleats felt like he was packing an extra ten pounds around.
“The ball was a bit slippery but you would just ask for a new one,” he said, adding “I don’t think it affected us at all. We just came out and played our game.”
“It feels great. I was able to pitch well when the team needed it the most. I did my job that’s all I can do,” he said.
Lind said he was happy with Emery Schoenroth as catcher and wouldn’t want anyone else behind the plate.