Facing the reigning Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League champions at Lyle Helland Ball Diamond, the Canadians would take an 11-8 victory in the opening game before the Giants dropped a 5-3 decision in game two.
The Rockets were coming off a victory in Richardson Pioneer championship tournament on Aug. 15, defeating the Rosebud Jr. Royals in a dramatic back-and-forth best-of-three series.
Canadians 11, Rockets 8
Brad Reaney finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-3 with a home run, double and five runs batted in to lead the Canadians to victory.
The Rockets got off to the start they were hoping for, as RPFL home run leader Evan Neibrandt led off the game with a home run as part of a four-run opening frame. The Canadians would get most of that back in their half of the inning, though, and would take the lead with another three runs in the second.
Reaney’s three-run home run in the third would put the Canadians up 10-5, and while a two-run shot off the bat of Dave Renkas would get Rhein within three runs in the fifth, they’d get no closer.
Bryce Crosbie and Riley Almasi each scored three runs for the Giants, while Sean Lougheed was 2-for-4 with two run-scoring singles and Xavier Tremblay 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.
Tremblay was the winning pitcher, allowing the eight runs on 10 hits, striking out six. Bret Peppler took the loss allowing the 11 runs on 10 hits and five Rockets errors.
Rockets 5, Giants 3
Different team, same story – Neibrandt launched another home run to lead off the game and would tack on solo shot in the fifth for good measure as the Rockets took their narrow win.
Jason Smiley also hit a solo home run for Rhein in the fifth and would finish the games 4-for-4 with a double to go along with his round tripper.
The Giants would tie the game in the bottom of the second, as Terry Danberg tripled to bring home Braden Konschuk and himself scored one batter later on a Larry Childs single.
Konschuk and Danberg would then hit back-to-back doubles in the fourth to put Moose Jaw up 3-2, but Rhein’s two-run fifth would provide their winning runs.
Giants starter Dale Garthus faced off with fellow ageless veteran Terry Peppler in the circle, with Garthus allowing two runs on six hits before giving way to Derek Ross, who closed things out allowing three runs on six hits the rest of the way. Peppler went the distance, scattering eight hits and striking out four.
Both local teams are back in Rambler Park Fastball League action Tuesday night, as the Canadians take on the Piapot North Stars in the early game and the Giants face the Highway 22 Cowboys in the nightcap at Lyle Helland Ball Diamond.
