Like a fight between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, no sooner would one team strike than the other would come right back, and fittingly, the contest at Ross Wells Park would end up in an extra inning tied 8-8.
There, with the international tiebreaker in effect and baserunners on first and second, the Canucks would take advantage of back-to-back walks, with Caleb Newkirk drawing the free pass on four straight pitches to score Nathan Varjassy with the game-winning run.
The contest was unusual for the local squad in that for one of the few times this season, they weren’t the ones battling from behind -- Moose Jaw scored three runs in the first and another three in the third to build a 7-3 lead heading into the fourth.
White Butte would get two runs back that inning, though, and after the Canucks picked up one in the bottom of four, the Broncos would score another three to tie things up 8-8 through five.
Kaedyn Banilevic allowed two of those fifth-inning runs but was lights out the rest of the way, finishing the game with four innings pitched while scattering four hits and striking out five. That included the top of the eighth, where he’d keep White Butte from scoring despite the instant baserunners by striking out the side.
Nathan Varjassy got the start and was also effective, with only three of his six runs allowed earned. He also picked up five strikeouts.
Kaleb Waller had another solid night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, while Varjassy also crossed the plate twice. Cole Breitkreuz and Orin Olson had two runs batted in each.
It’s a busy week for the Canucks (3-4) as they’re right back in action Thursday when they host the South East Twice. Game time is 7 p.m. at Ross Wells.
