The two squads were supposed to meet for a home-and-home series during the June 21 weekend, but rain-outs postponed both ends of those contests. That set the stage for Sunday’s doubleheader, where the Express dropped the opener 6-0 before rebounding with a 12-5 win in the nightcap.
Weyburn 6, Express 0
The Express had their share of chances to score runs, but couldn’t solve Weyburn starter Sawyer Strickland and reliever Shandon Herrera in the seven-inning contest.
Strickland surrendered seven hits and walked a pair to go along with six strikeouts in five innings of work, escaping a bases-loaded jam in each of the first two innings and holding the Express scoreless despite allowing 10 baserunners through three.
Herrera also dealt with loaded bases in the sixth before escaping, giving up two hits and a walk in his two innings of work.
Eric Marriott was 2-for-4 at the plate while Michael Borst had two hits and a walk in his four at-bats.
Nick Falco got the start and surrendered five runs on five walks and a single hit in two innings before newcomer Lyndon Zimmer took over, giving up a run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Express 12, Weyburn 5
All the bad luck in the first game turned into runs in the second, as the Express built an 8-1 lead through three innings and never looked back.
Every Moose Jaw batter had at least one hit in the contest, led by Chris Warken with a 2-for-3 night that saw him score a pair of runs and walk twice. Andres Garza was 2-for-3 with two RBI while Tucker Zdunich and Isiah Arroyo each crossed the plate twice. In total, the Express had 14 hits and took advantage of eight walks.
The Express pitching staff held Weyburn to only four hits, with starter Ethan Soroka giving up a run on a single hit and two walks in four innings of work. Reece Helland, Nathan Slobodian and Ty Sheridan each tossed an inning of relief.
Moose Jaw now holds a 20-16 record and sit five games back of the Eastern Division-leading Regina Red Sox, 6 ½ up on the Melville Millionaires for the final playoff spot.
They return to action Tuesday when they host the Lethbridge Bulls for the beginning of a three-game set at Ross Wells Park. All game times are 7 p.m.
