The Regina Red Sox are off to another league championship after a 2-0 win over the Swift Current 57’s Wednesday night.
The team received a strong pitching performance from ace Michael Batten, who pitched a complete game shut-out, striking out 13.
Batten said he was thankful for the defence behind him and the offence the team was able to provide.
“I started in the bullpen, felt a little iffy, and then got out there, just found a groove and just kept with it,” Batten said. “I knew we needed a strong outing (Wednesday night) to keep going, so I just did what I could do for the team and just tried to help them and everything else.
“I can’t thank them enough for putting two runs on the board.”
In the second inning, the first run of the game was scored on a wild pitch, as Erik Crossman scored from third, giving the Sox the lead.
The lone RBI was hit in the third inning, when designated hitter Riki DeSa singled to left and Sammy De La Cruz scored from second base.
Batten and the Red Sox defence were able to hold on the rest of the way.
Batten said it says a lot about the confidence head coach Jason Veyna had in him to finish the game.
“He had trust in me, and I told him I was fine, I was good to go,” Batten said. “I was dealing with some back issues earlier (on Wednesday), and earlier in the week and fought through that.
“He just kept asking me if I was feeling good, and I was good to go, so I told him I was going to ride it out and finish it.”
The WCBL league final begins Thursday night at Currie Field. The Okotoks Dawgs come into town to face the Sox for game one, with first pitch at 7:05. Saskatchewan’s number one sports talk show, the Sportscage, will be broadcasting live from the ball park before the game.
