MOOSE JAW — It was a cool and wet Wednesday evening as the Moose Jaw U18 AAA Canucks needed two extra innings to defeat the visiting Southeast Twins.
It was a game where the Canucks scored four runs in the bottom half of the first inning with a single run added in the second inning.
The Canucks faltered in the fourth inning allowing the Twins to score three runs.
The faltering of the Canucks continued with the Twins able to come with in one after the fifth inning.
The Twins would tie the game five to five runs each in the seventh inning.
There would be no runs scored by either team in the eighth inning, although the Twins would get on base.
The Canucks likewise did not score in the inning.
The Twins failed to get a run in the ninth inning.
The Canucks would use a sacrifice fly to score a run in the ninth inning and a 6 - 5 victory.
About the very strong first inning and the four unanswered four runs scored by the Canucks Elder pointed to the team’s overall play.
“You know it starts with strike one, and Cam Beisel, our starting pitcher he was throwing strikes and getting outs; it keeps the fielders in the game.”
Despite the strong start, Beisel had his problems later in the game.
“He kind of lost control of the zone out there, but he found a way to battle through out there.”
Moose Jaw U18 AAA head coach said the game, with its ups and downs, is indicative of a U18 team.
“Yeah, we started out, we were doing really well, and then we took our foot off of the gas and gave them a chance to come back and get some life,” Elder said.
“18-year baseball, it just comes in ebbs and flows. We found a way to win, which is good, but there are definitely some learning moments we can build on and do better for next time.”
Beisel’s strong and consistent pitch has been a major part of the Canucks game this season Elder said.
“He (Beisel) has been consistently all year. It’s no secret baseball is a hard game, but let the hitter get themselves out. He’s been really good throwing strikes, and our guys are making plays behind him,” he said about the Canucks’ defence.
Another standout for the Canucks was their center fielder Garrett Galutzan who was described as “taking away a number of hits” during a game.
Another standout during the game was second baseman Noah Thul has been making a lot of plays.
For Elder the Canucks lineup is one of players making plays.
Something Elder described as doing it all year.
So far, the Canucks have a respectable record winning three out of four league games.
Asked if he was happy with the winning record, Telder was stating, “Yeah, it’s been a good start.”
It’s because of the quality of the team that the record is doing well at the start of the season.
“We’ve got a great group of guys and a lot of veteran leadership. The lead by example, any kind of lead the way.”
“These league games, everyone matters. You have to qualify by being in the top ten teams make it to provincials,” Elder said, swing “Have an early start. Getting some wind on our belts that’s huge.”
Elder said it, being early season, ball mistakes are going to happen.
One big thing that the Canucks have done this year is that they had some preseason games against the team in Okotoks. Something Elder described as highly beneficial for the Canucks.
