SASKATOON — The Moose Jaw Miller Express have seen their Western Canadian Baseball League win streak come to an end, and the Saskatoon Berries were more than happy to use the opportunity to close ground on first place in the East Division.
The Swift Current 57’s built a big lead early and went on to a 12-1 win over the Miller Express on Friday night in Swift Current, while the Saskatoon Berries did the majority of their damage in the middle innings in a 12-1 win over the Regina Red Sox in Saskatoon.
As a result, Moose Jaw falls to 11-5 on the season and now have a half-game lead over the 11-6 Berries for first place in the East. Swift Current improves to 4-11 and are in sixth place, Regina drops to 6-10 and are in fifth
Saskatoon 12, Regina 1
The Berries got off to a fast start with a pair of runs in each of the first two innings, but didn’t really start to pile on the runs until the fourth. Saskatoon would put up three in that frame, hit double digits with two more in the fifth before finishing off their offence on the night with a pair in the sixth.
Ethan Murdoch led the Berries with a 2-for-2 night that included a pair of walks, two runs and two RBI, while Brock Laird crossed the plate three times. Gavin Panks and Gael Salinas each knocked in a pair of runs, Nate Houston picked up three RBI. Every member of the Saskatoon lineup crossed the plate at least once.
That offence was more than enough for Owen Stempel, who picked up the win after allowing a single run on four hits while striking out seven over 4 ⅔ innings. Colin Plain, Brody Wrench and Brooks Jones each had an inning of scoreless relief.
Jalen Meyers was the bright spot for Regina, going 4-for-4 with a double and knocking in the lone Red Sox run in the fifth.
Daniel Crabtree was the losing pitcher after allowing seven runs on 10 hits through 3 ⅔ innings.
Swift Current 12, Moose Jaw 1
The 57’s have been on the wrong side of a few lopsided losses over the last couple weeks, but the shoe was on the other foot on Friday night.
Swift Current scored three runs in the second and another four in the fourth to build a 9-1 lead, and they’d tack on three more in the sixth to finish off the mercy-rule win.
Jake Hiromoto continued his impressive campaign with Swift Current by going 3-for-4 with three doubles, three RBI and a run scored. Keagan Knowler had a two-run home run for his lone hit in the contest, Chance Crawford was 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs and three RBI. Lucas Geisler and Jake Steffes also crossed the plate twice each.
Zachary Desylva made sure there would be no Moose Jaw comeback, turning in a quality start by allowing a single run on six hits over six innings and striking out five. Brody Nanini finished toff with two scoreless innings of relief.
Reigning East Division player of the week Chris Franks was back at it for the Miller Express, going 2-for-4 with a triple and scoring their only run. Eduardo Saenz also had a solid night at the plate with three hits.
Rowan Robinson took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits in the first three innings.
Up Next
Action on Saturday night will see a battle of Division leaders with Moose Jaw in Okotoks to take on the Dawgs (7:05 p.m.), Medicine Hat Mavericks at Swift Current (5:57 p.m.) and Regina at the Weyburn Beavers (7:05 p.m.).
