Matthew Gourlie
Moose Jaw Times-Herald
For a few hours, the Moose Jaw Miller Express relinquished the playoff spot they had resided in since the opening day of the Western Major Baseball League season.
At the end of the weekend, the Express had regained their hold of second place and enjoy a 1 1/2 game lead over Saskatoon in the Central Division playoff race. While it's far from unassailable, their standing is a stark improvement over the free fall they were facing Saturday night.
After losing the first game of a double-header Saturday to the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets 6-4, the Express posted a come from behind 6-5 win to snap a six-game losing streak. Sunday they beat the Yorkton Cardinals 9-6 to put together wins at a critical point in the Western Major Baseball League season.
"I honestly believe that if we hadn't gotten that win in the second game (Saturday), then (Sunday's win) doesn't happen," said Express coach Michael Hunt. "It was a big, big momentum booster.
"We were stuck on 10 (wins) for six games in a row. Everybody knew 10 was the number of wins last year, so we all really wanted to get to 11. We finally got the monkey off of our back."
The Express are now at 12 wins as they prepare to host the Regina Red Sox Tuesday before playing a crucial double-header in Saskatoon Wednesday.
The Express bats are starting to come around. During their losing streak they hadn't scored more than four runs in a game. Sunday they used 14 hits to produce the nine runs.
"It's confidence I guess. We were sick of getting pounded and only putting up two runs," said Express centre fielder Jordan Smith. "We want to help out our pitchers. Our pitchers have been doing everything for us this year and it's time for the hitters to actually start picking them up."
Hunt noted that their starting pitching has been stellar all year, their defence has been inconsistent and their hitting has had their struggles, but he's optimistic that the bats are coming around.
"We're on the upswing now; at the right time of the year," said Hunt. "I'd rather have us hit like garbage in the middle, but be on fire towards the end when it really counts going into the playoffs."
Express 9 Cardinals 6
In the top of the first Andrew Haake hit his fifth home run of the season to put Yorkton ahead 2-0. Instead of deflating the Express, it galvanize them.
They had eight hits in the first two innings as they took a 6-2 lead. Smith scored in his first three at-bats as he finished 4-for-5 with two RBI, a pair of doubles and a stolen base. Cory Olafson was 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Starting pitcher Bryant Asnicar (2-4) loaded the bases in the fifth and got out of it and nearly got out of the same jam in the seventh. After loading the bags with none out, he was a strike away from getting out of the inning. Instead, thanks in part to a couple of "defensive fiascoes" in Hunt's words, the Cardinals scored four runs to cut the lead to 8-6.
Sean Lydon threw a perfect inning of relief and Michael Rahrich picked up the save for the Express. Asnicar allowed six hits and four earned runs in seven innings pitched while striking out seven batters.
Express 6 Yellow Jackets 5
The Express were trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh when a big five-run rally turned the game around and may have done the same for their season.
The first four batters reached for the Express, including Hunt who had a two-run double. An error helped the rally along and with the bases loaded, Eric Nutzhorn walked to bring home a run and an Olafson sacrifice fly tied the game. Jess Cooper drove in the winning run on a single. Taylor Elder earned the win with seven strong innings. Wil Thomas was perfect in two innings or relief.
Yellow Jackets 6 Express 4
The Express were down 5-0 in the opener, but couldn't mount a comeback in the seven inning game. Sean Buford pitched all seven innings, allowing four earned runs and 11 hits. Loveridge hit his fifth home run of the year. He and Smith were both 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Extra bases . . . Express left fielder Ryan Beecroft has flown home to have an MRI done on his right arm. The Express will be adding Bradshaw Perry, a six-foot-two shortstop from Lamar Community College to their roster. Perry will be in town Thursday and had a .268 average with 33 RBI and five home runs at Lamar.
Matthew Gourlie can be reached at 691-1261
