Canucks Howl At Wolfpack
By Robert Thomas
It may not have been the prettiest and the team at times looked tested but the Moose Jaw U15 AAA Canucks continued their season undefeated record to 15 - 0 downing the Regina Wolfpack 5 - 2.
The U15 AAA squad - who are top spot in the Saskatchewan Premiere Baseball League (SPBL) - has been on a roll this season.
The Canucks got on the scoreboard early scoring two runs in the first inning to grab the 2 - 0 lead.
The second inning would see the Canucks extend their lead to 3 - 0.
The fourth inning would see the Wolfpack get on the scoreboard making the game 3 - 1.
The fifth inning saw the Canucks pick up another two runs for a 5 - 1 lead.
The Wolfpack would respond back with a single run in the top of the seventh to make the final score 5 - 2.
Canucks U15 AAA pitcher Neal Kohl had a strong game pitching six and one-third innings - MJ Independent photo
Despite the victory assistant head coach Curtis Novak saw the team as slow in the batting department.
“I thought we came out a little bit slow with the hitters tonight but our pitching held us right in it though,” Novak said.
The Canucks first two batters made it home in the first inning a major bump to the team.
“We got off to a good start and then it was slow from there. Whenever we hit the ball hard, we did hit the ball hard a few times, but it was right at somebody. There is nothing you can do about that,” he said.
About a closer score than many of their games Novak said it was OK.
“It’s nice to get into a ball game every once in awhile…the boys have been doing well it’s nice to get engaged in an actual ball game and stay engaged a little bit longer.
The Canucks were able to get at the Wolfpack pitching team by running up the pitch count and having them need three pitchers.
The Canucks used two pitchers but starter Neal Kohl was not pulled after six and one-third innings due to the pitch count. A fresh arm for two quick outs was the coaches’ decision.
“Our pitching was excellent. We had a strong outing by Neal (Kohl) for six and a third and then Dillon (Flanagan) came in for the close. It was great they held those guys down and runs low.”
“Our pitching really held us in the game tonight,” he said.
About fielding he said there wasn’t many physical errors made and when it came to mental errors “there was absolutely none that we could count.”
“So the boys’ heads were in the game and they played well.”
Up high for a ball - MJ Independent photo
Many of the hits by the Canucks were fielding errors by the Wolfpack something Novak conceded.
“Yeah there were some errors there but if it definitely helps us we’ll take them…any way they get on base we’ll do it,” he said.
The Canucks are back locally this Sunday in a double header versus the Sask Five Giants out of Martensville.