And while it might seem strange to see ‘battle’ used to describe a five-inning victory, for the first three innings that’s exactly what it was.
The Canucks found themselves locked in a back-and-forth contest in the early going, with Regina taking a 3-2 lead out of the first inning before Moose Jaw tied things up in the second. Another White Sox three-spot in the third put them ahead 6-3, but the Canucks were once again able to answer, tying things 6-6 in their half of the frame.
Rylan Caplette-Tarrant was able to shut down the White Sox from there, retiring the side in order the next two innings and finishing the game with four innings pitched while allowing three runs on three hits.
His offence, meanwhile, simply went to town.
Three runs in the fourth put the Canucks ahead 9-6, and the next inning saw Moose Jaw send 11 batters to the plate, scoring seven runs to take their commanding 10-run lead.
Owen Varjassay led the offence with a 2-for-3 night that saw him score a run and knock-in four. Wesley Olson and Riley Cushway crossed the plate three times each, while Garrett Gulutzan and Noah Thul were each 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Max Simmons and Janzen Lamey also scored a pair of runs.
Simmons got the start on the mound and gave up three runs – one earned on two hits while striking out two in an inning of work.
The Canucks (3-1-1) are back in action Tuesday when they travel to Regina to face the Pacers.
