U15 AAA Canucks Suffer First Loss Of The Season
Strong defence but quiet bats have led to the first loss to “the winningest team in Canada” on Wednesday evening.
Playing in front of the largest crowd of the season the U15 AA Canucks fell 4 - 2 to the visiting Regina A’s ending the league record winning streak at 30.
For the Canucks it was the end of streak. It was a streak they never predicted at the beginning of the season.
The Canucks main goal after the initial double header was to make the top tier in Provincials.
The loss leaves the team with 30 - 1 record with one more home game on Thursday evening.
Canucks starting pitcher Van Glasser pitched a strong game - MJ Independent photo
There were key defensive plays by the Canucks - especially in the sixth inning.
A double play and a strike got the Canucks out of what could have been a very bad situation allowing them a shot for a come from behind victory in the seventh.
The Canucks held a 2 - 1 lead in the fourth inning based upon single runs in the second and fourth innings.
The A’s would pick up three runs in the sixth inning but were prevented in scoring more on the Canucks double play.
The seventh inning saw the A’s go three up and three down but unfortunately for the Canucks the Athletics pitcher would get three strikeouts to end the game.
Moose Jaw Canucks’ head coach Craig Flanagan was gracious in the loss. Giving credit to the A’s, especially the pitching, in Regina’s victory.
“I think (it was) their pitching. They didn’t walk anybody tonight…they’re a good team. They played good defence behind their pitcher,” he said.
“Our bats were more quiet than they typically have all year.”
Moose Jaw Canucks Daxton Chesney connects with the ball in the fifth inning - MJ Independent photo
Despite losing Moose Jaw’s two pitchers had good games. It was backed up by a strong defence.
Philosophically Flanagan said losing so close to the end of the season was maybe for the best.
“As I told our guys they should feel really about themselves. Winning 30 games in a row in this league is nothing to sluff at. It was a big accomplishment for these guys,” he said, adding “as I said meanwhile it takes pressure off this team. Obviously we’re strapping the cleats on every game to win and I want them to feel good about themselves winning 30 games in a row,” Flanagan said.
“As I told the guys it’s not about winning every game but getting better every game so we’re at our best when it comes to Provincials.”
“Losing one game to a good team like this our guys don’t feel less confident. They feel confident and a lot of belief on the team,” he said.
The double play in the sixth inning plus a strike got the Canucks out of what could have been a major run up by the A’s.
“That double play was huge in the sixth inning,” Flanagan said.
“Our defence was really good tonight. Van Glasser, our starter, pitched very well. Dax(ton) Chesney pitched very well and our defence played awesome. It was one of those games where a low scoring game could go either way,” Flanagan said.
Regina Athletics Hartnell trots across home plate with the go ahead and eventual winning run in the sixth inning - MJ Independent photo
Despite trailing in the bottom half of the sixth the Canucks were still upbeat about winning the game.
“When the boys came in after the (top of the) sixth inning were upbeat, knowing we still had a chance of winning the game,” he said.
He said it wasn’t impossible to win the game in the seventh inning if the opposing team was walking people but unfortunately the A’s weren’t.
“Their pitchers did a good job they didn’t walk any of us today,” Flanagan said.
Flanagan said the largest crowd of the year was because the Canucks have “a little bit of buzz around them.”
“It’s awesome to see so many people out supporting this team.”
The loss of Neal Kohl to a dislocated thumb in Game Two of Sunday’s double header was felt by the Canucks on Wednesday evening - MJ Independent file photo
The dislocated thumb injury to Neal Kohl on Sunday had an effect on the Canucks. Kohl is out for an estimated week.
“I think anytime you lose one of your best players, one of your best hitters, I think it’s tough to say there isn’t going to be an effect.”
“The boys know the situation and they know they have got to play a little bit harder to try to make up for his injury,” Flanagan said.
The Canucks play their final home game tonight (Thursday July 24th) at 6:15 versus the Regina Wolfpack at Blackwell Diamond.