U18 AAA Fall To Regina White Sox
By Robert Thomas
A slow start against a well coached strong opponent were big factors in the Moose Jaw U18 AAA Canucks falling 6 - 2 to the Regina White Sox on Wednesday evening.
The loss was the fourth for the Canucks who’ve enjoyed a strong season start.
The White Sox managed to score a single run in the first inning whereas the Canucks went out three up and three done.
The second inning was big for the White Sox as they were able to score three runs versus a single run by the Canucks.
The Canucks’ fourth inning saw Owen Varjassy score a run after a strong hit to get on base.
The fifth inning rounded out two more Reina runs. The scoring was highlighted by a slide safe to home by the White Sox’s K. Johnstone.
Regina White Sox shortstop K Johnstone slides in easily at home plate to score a run - MJ Independent photo
Moose Jaw Canucks Owen Varjassy said the ball just didn’t fall where it was needed for the Canucks to win.
“We caught a couple of bad breaks and we ended up losing,” Varjassy said, adding “…we’ve a really good past four games and the ball will start dropping they were hit just right at guys today.
Despite the Canucks suffering their fourth loss of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League (SPBL) season the team still holds a strong record.
The high powered second inning fed the White Sox the ultimate victory something he partially attributed to luck.
“The bounces weren’t seeming to be going our way. We were trying to connect there but I don’t know it didn’t seem to connect. There bounces in baseball, it’s a game of inches but it didn’t seem to go our way.”
Asked about his power hit followed by his strikeout at his next at bat Varjassy agreed the game was up and down - lack consistency.
“It was up and down. It’s not always going to go our way. It has so far this year. We’ve gad a couple of wild games this year. We’ll be back and we’ll be good.”
“Despite the loss the Canucks are far from out of the season,” Varjassy said.
“Our team has been rolling really well this year . And the boys have been clicking. We are pretty tight knit and it’s been fun. We’ll have a couple of wild games but because of our chemistry we’ll be good. It will be fun,” he said.
Varjassy said going into the game they knew the White Sox were a great team and the game would be tough.
The Canucks were not surprised by by how good the White Sox are, he said.
He said the team needs to work on starting the game faster. Something head coach Taylor Elder has called for in the past.
“We want to start off hotter. We haven’t had the best starts this year. We know we can hit. We know we can throw good and play great defence so we just want to keep it rolling,” Varjassy said.
Moose Jaw Canucks third baseman Karsen Pruden gets ready to block a potential line drive - MJ Independent photo
Moose Jaw U18 AAA Canucks head coach Taylor Elder
“Baseball is a tough game. Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the other pitches as they really did well. The pitch count was really low. He was throwing strikes and getting contact. The guys were making plays behind him. That’s baseball we’ll learn from this and we’ll get better,” Elder said.
The spectre of slow starts haunted the Canucks on Wednesday evening.
“Slow starts that’s something we were talking to the boys about at the end of the game…we’re trying to teach these kids about. They’re young boys and you know they’ll learn. We’ll keep consistent. We’ll do better. And hopefully things will improve.”
For the Canucks Elder said it was a game of good and not so good point.
“(Cam Beisel) didn’t have his best stuff but he battled and found a way to compete. And then (Owen) Csada from the bull pen and threw. Nothing but strikes. He had a really great game.”
There were a number of younger players who stood out.
“Some of our younger guys stepped up making great plays in the field.“
When it came to fundamental baseball - something the Canucks are working towards . They had zero errors whike the White Sox recorded two errors - both in the second half of the game.
The Canucks Noah Thul tees up a big swing at bat - MJ Independent photo
“It’s baseball sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and sometimes it rains,” he said.
Asked about Varjassy’s observations about where the ball did or did not hit Elder said despite the bounces “you have to give them (the Regina White Sox) credit over there. They are a pretty good team over there. They’re well coached and they put the bat on the ball,” Elder said.
He invited people to come out and enjoy a ball game at Ross Wells Park. He said it was a great way to spend some beautiful evening weather.
The cost of admission is zero with a concession on site.