U15 AAA Canucks Look Into The Abyss As Season Record Moves To 30 - 0
If there was a game that would end the U15 AAA Canucks winning streak it was Game Two of Sunday’s doubleheader.
North Battleford’s Northwest Sun Devils had their gun sights on defeating the Canucks and came close to accomplishing that.
The Sun Devils played hard through rain and wet field conditions giving the Canucks a good three run fourth inning look into the abyss.
A good play at the plate and strike outs stranding the Sun Devils on base pulled the Canucks out of danger.
The Canucks won 5 - 4 in a five inning abbreviated rainy matchup to move the winning streak to 30.
Moose Jaw Canucks pitcher Emery Schoenroth fought through the rain to record the win - MJ Independent photo
Game One
Canucks 10 - Sun Devils 0
The sunny Game One saw the Canucks wrack up the runs.
The Canucks scored a single run in the first inning.
Moose Jaw would go on to defeat North Battleford in the sixth inning under the mercy rule. The victory was largely due to a five run fifth inning for the Canucks.
The Canucks won 10 - 0.
Sun Devil’s base runner Hutchinson unsuccessfully tries to dance past the Canucks catcher - MJ Independent photo
Game Two
Canucks 5 - Sun Devils 4
Game Two witnessed the heavens open up with rain that soaked the infield and the grass of the outfield.
The Canucks scored two runs in the first inning.
They would add to the total with three more runs in the third inning.
The Sun Devils got on the board with a single run in the third inning.
The fourth inning was big for the Sun Devils as the scored three runs making the score 5 - 4 in the Canucks favour.
A pair of mishandled balls at first base got the Sun Devils on base. The base runners allowed the Sun Devils to put pressure on the Canucks.
But the visitors were unable to score.
Moose Jaw Canucks’ first baseman Kaiden Gadd holds a Sun Devils base runner on base - MJ Independent photo
The Sun Devils Hutchinson attempted to do his Gene Kelly impression but his attempt to dance Singing In The Rain to home plate failed making him out .
Despite his sometimes frustrations Canucks pitcher Emery Schoenroth managed key strike outs extinguishing what were Sun Devils rallies.
A fifth inning strike out ended the game.
Moose Jaw Canucks’ Zaid Guillaume misses a strike - MJ Independent photo
“Today one thing we have to clean up our defence. Were good at bats. We didn’t walk many but I’m a little bit disappointed in our defence,” Canucks head coach Craig Flanagan told MJ Independent.
Flanagan said the top ranked Canucks needed to work on defence as they wrap up the regular season this week and prepare for Provincials .
“Any time you win is a good thing…but we need to work on defence…we need to get behind our pitchers.”
He did not see the rain as a major factor as both teams had to work through it.
“Nobody has an advantage at that point.”
The key to success was improving throughout the year - something the Canucks have accomplished, he said.
“Even though wee are no some tight and tough games they are still finding ways to win,” Flanagan said.
Moose Jaw Canucks’ pitcher Emery Schoenroth misses tagging out a Sun Devils base runner in the fourth inning at home plate - MJ Independent photo
At the start of the season Flanagan said the big goal for the Canucks to make Tier One of the Provincials. There was no thoughts about so far 30 game unbeaten streak.
“I knew we were going to be a very competitive team. I didn’t know what the rest of the League would be like. I think there is a belief in this team that they are a better team every time they play.”
