The latest example came on Thursday night.
The Canucks had another impressive start from pitcher Cam O’Reilly and put up five runs in their final two at-bats to take a 5-1 victory over the third-place Regina Wolfpack (17-11) at Ross Wells Park.
The win saw Moose Jaw improve to 10-15 on the season, but more importantly, close within two points of the East Central Red Sox for the eighth and final playoff spot for provincials.
O’Reilly’s outing was, once again, a major key to the Canucks success. He’d toss a tidy complete-game two-hitter, with the only run he’d allow coming in the sixth inning. All told, O’Reilly would need only 89 pitches to earn the win, striking out eight and walking only two.
The Canucks needed that start, too -- it took until the fifth inning to get their offence going, and they’d put up a pair of in that frame before Regina put on the pressure with their lone score in the top of the sixth. O’Reilly’s teammates brought the relief in their half of the inning, though, with a three-spot giving their ace a four-run cushion.
Cole Breitkreuz knocked in two of those runs as part of a 2-for-4 night that included a run-scoring double in the sixth. Nathan Varjassy also had a pair of hits and knocked in a run. In fact, eight of the nine Canucks starters had at least one hit.
The Canucks are back in action Saturday when they travel to Estevan for a doubleheader against the South East Twins.
