They might have had to score a bunch of runs in the late innings to get the job done, but the Moose Jaw 15A AAA Canucks still managed to emerge with a victory in their Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League regular-season opener on Wednesday night.
The Canucks scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning and held off a Regina Athletics rally in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 10-9 victory in Regina.
Things were close in the early going, as the two teams found themselves tied 3-3 through four innings. Regina would appear to take control of things in the fifth with a four-run outbreak, but the game changed dramatically in the top of the next inning.
The Canucks would send 10 batters to the plate, scoring six runs to take a 9-7 lead. They’d add another crucial insurance run in the seventh, as a Regina rally in the bottom of the inning would see the Athletics score a pair before Moose Jaw finished things off.
Noah Thul led the Canucks offence with a 2-for-4 showing that included a double and pair of runs scored. Cam Beisal also hit a double as part of his 2-for-4 night, while Gerritt Gulutzan belted a solo home run to centerfield in the third inning for his lone hit of the game. Van Sinclair was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, Owen Varjassy was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Csada got the start on the mound and allowed two runs on a single hit while striking out six and walking a pair in three innings of work. Rylan Caplette-Tarrant allowed four runs on a pair of hits and struck out five in two innings, Gulutzan tossed the final two frames and surrendered two runs on a pair of hits.
The Canucks are back in action Tuesday, May 17 when they host the White Butte Broncos. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at Swarbrick Diamond.
