Canucks battle to tie in 13U AAA baseball season opener

If their opening game is any indication, the Moose Jaw Canucks are going to be a difficult team to take wins off during the Baseball Regina 13-and-under AAA season.

The Canucks scored five runs over the final three innings, including three in the bottom of the seventh, to salvage a 7-7 tie with the Regina Expos in their season opener at Andrie Field on Wednesday night.

Drayson Silbernagel got things started for Moose Jaw in the final inning, as he singled home Max Craig to get the Canucks back within a pair. Two batters later Ronan Tonge laced a triple to centrefield, scoring Silbernagel and putting himself in scoring position.

One wild pitch later, Tonge was across the plate, and the Canucks had their 7-7 draw.

Moose Jaw scored runs in each of the first two innings, but a three-spot in the third gave Regina their first lead. Another three runs in the fifth put the Expos up 6-2, but the Canucks began their comeback with single runs in the next two innings, setting up their late-game heroics.

Takao Smith had a 2-for-3 night that included a run batted in, while Craig, Silbernagel, Van Glasser and Tonge each crossed the plate once. Glasser and Riley Ducharme each hit doubles.

Silbernagel got the opening day start and allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits while striking out four. Avery Nielsen, Craig and Grady Johnstone all saw action in relief.

The Canucks are back in action on Wednesday, May 11 when they travel to Regina to face the Buffalos.

Both the 18U AAA and 15U AAA Canucks are set to open their Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League campaigns.

The 18U AAA Canucks were originally playing their first game of the regular season tonight night at Currie Field against the Regina Athletics, but that contest was moved to Ross Wells Park. First pitch is at 7 p.m.

The Canucks are also in action with a doubleheader against the South East Twins on Sunday, with games at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Ross Well Park.

The 15U AAA Canucks play their first game of the season on Wednesday, May 11 when they travel to Regina to face the Athletics; their first home game of the season takes place on Tuesday, May 17 when they host the White Butte Broncos. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at Swarbrick Diamond.