The Moose Jaw Mallards had hoped for a 2-0 start on the opening day of competition at the Baseball Canada Bantam national champonships, but given the circumstances, they'll happily take a single win.
The Mallards battled to a 4-3 victory over New Brunswick in their lone game Thursday in Vaughn, Ont., with their second contest against Nova Scotia postponed by heavy storms (see Friday's Times-Herald).
"We just had one win and survived a tornado, so it was a pretty good day," Mallards coach Mark Mann said with a laugh. "It was nice to get that first win, but the important thing is everyone is safe and sound and that's all we can ask for."
The Mallards' opening game came against a New Brunswick team that featured one of the most dominant pitchers of the event last season - Travis Harris, who gave up two hits and struck out 15 against the Moose Jaw squad representing the province in 2008.
This time, the local team was armed with a bit of fore-knowledge courtesy of then-Mallards coach Greg Reidy along with current assistants Angus McIntosh and Larry Spencer.
"Angus was here last year and so was Larry, so they know about some of the kids who are coming back and that helped a lot," Mann said. "We knew (Harris) was a lefty, so we adjusted our line-up a little bit so we only had a couple of lefties in there. And we had a bit of an idea of what he threw, so we were able to use that, and the kids came through with a great game."
And how - the Mallards scored three runs on three hits in the opening inning and chased Harris after 4 1/3, battering New Brunswick's ace for four runs on nine hits.
"It was pretty exciting to be able to do that, and it gave the kids a lot of confidence," Mann said.
Mallards starter Tanner Spencer gave up a run on a single hit while striking out four in two innings work before Justin Bitz came on and surrendered a pair of runs and struck out four in 3 1/3. Nolan Benesh took over for the final two outs of the fifth and earned the save.
Spencer also got the job done at the plate, going 2-for-3 and scoring a run to earn the Team Sask game MVP award. Shortstop Kohl Bauml went 2-for-4 with a run and third baseman Jared Andreychuk also had a pair of hits.
The Mallards were scheduled to face Newfoundland in their lone game today, but inclement weather was expected to continue over southern Ontario.
"It's supposed to rain tomorrow so we'll play it by ear," Mann said. "I imagine they'll get in what they can and see what happens... They'll probably push games a little later into the night if they have to over the next few days."
Saskatchewan faces Ontario Saturday to close out the round robin, with playoffs beginning Saturday evening.
Randy Palmer can be reached at 691-1257
