In fact, eight of their last nine contests have been one-run outings, with the Canucks putting together a 5-3 record through that span. That includes their two most recent showings, a 9-8 victory over the Assiniboia Aces on Wednesday and 6-5 loss to the Regina White Sox on Thursday.
The Canucks are 7-11 on the season, good enough for sixth place in the nine-team league. They’re back in action Tuesday when they host the White Butte Broncos at Swarbrick Diamond. Game time is 6 p.m.
Canucks 9, Assiniboia 8
The Canucks went into the final inning trailing by a run after Assiniboia put up a pair in the bottom of the sixth, but as has been the case throughout their recent run of close wins, Moose Jaw wasn’t about to go quietly.
Javin Boynton got things started with a two-out single and, after stealing his way around to third, scored on a base hit by Noah Thul.
Thul then followed the same plan, as he stole second, went to third on an error by the catcher and scored the eventual game-winning run on a passed ball.
After that, it was Gerritt Gulutzan time. He’d need only 12 pitches to strike out the side in the bottom of the seventh and secure the victory.
Boyton got the start and allowed three runs, one earned, while striking out five and scattering six hits over four innings. Owen Varjassy tossed the next two innings and allowed five runs, three earned, on four hits.
Thul finished his day with a 3-for-3 showing at the plate, hitting a triple, knocking in three runs and scoring three runs. Boynton also crossed the plate three times and was 2-for-4.
White Sox 6, Canucks 5
The shoe was on the other foot the next night, as Regina scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch and three batters later would knock in the winning run from third to take the comeback win.
The Canucks did most of their damage with a four-run fourth inning, and found themselves tied 4-4 through five before plating the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth.
Rylan Caplette-Tarrant gave the Canucks another solid start on the mound, allowing three runs, one earned, on only three hits through four innings of work. Max Simmons pitched the final two, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out five.
Nathan Pisio was 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI, Kale Pratte 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Varjassy also had a pair of hits.
