MOOSE JAW -- The Moose Jaw Canucks got off to a good start but couldn’t make an early lead stick in their most recent Sask Premier Baseball League 18U AAA contest, eventually going on to drop a 5-3 decision to the White Butte Broncos in Balgonie.
Moose Jaw fell to 10-6 with the loss and sit in fourth place, a game back of the East Central Red Sox, who are the only other team with double digit wins in the 14-team league. White Butte improved to 7-8 and sit 3 ½ games back out of top spot.
The Canucks didn’t waste any time putting up a crooked number on the scoreboard, as Hunter Scott doubled home Cam Beisal and Max Simmons for a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning.
White Butte would respond quickly, though, putting up three runs of their own in the third inning to take the lead. Kael Cherepuschak had the key hit in that frame, with his two-out single knocking in Micah Taylor and Jake Flichel.
Moose Jaw tied the game in the fourth when Tyson Ross scored on a wild pitch, but the Broncos had a quick answer once again, taking the lead for good when Landon Hebig and Tavyn Williamson crossed the plate in the fifth.
Jake Foster and Niko Hasapis got the job done for White Butte on the mound from there, with Foster tossing the fifth and sixth innings and allowing two hits while striking out three before Hasapis closed things out with a scoreless seventh.
Ryder Hicks started for Moose Jaw and allowed three runs on six hits over four innings, Spencer Craig pitched the final two innings and allowed two runs on three hits.
Quinn Boreen got the start for the Broncos and allowed three runs on seven hits over 3 ⅔ while striking out six.
The Canucks are back in action Tuesday when the host the Regina Wolfpack in a doubleheader, with the first game going at 6 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.
White Butte is back on the field Thursday night against the Wolfpack, with first pitch at 6 p.m. in Balgonie.
