Sask knocked out of contention

The race to the Jeux du Canada Games podium is over for the Saskatchewan boys baseball team.
A 7-1 loss to Alberta Wednesday dropped the squad from medal contention, but they managed to save themselves from being relegated to the ninth-place game by beating Prince Edward Island 2-1 in their second game of the evening.
"We're pretty disappointed that we didn't come out and get the job done against Alberta," said Team Saskatchewan coach Roger Anholt.
"We had guys on base, but we just couldn't get the hits."
Anholt credited the Albertans with their ability to take advantage of a few late Saskatchewan errors to put the game away. Meanwhile, his own team came up short in that department.
"When you don't capitalize on those situations, it comes back to haunt you and that's exactly what happened," said the Moose Jaw-based coach. "We thought after that (Tuesday) win over the favourite to win it all, B.C., that we had the momentum going."
That loss put a damper on the team's goals, but the second game of the evening against the hosts P.E.I. was to decide who would be in the fifth- and ninth-place games.
"We came back tonight, and tonight was just a complete turnaround," said Anholt.
P.E.I. has not won at the tournament, but Anholt said that doesn't mean they aren't a good team.
"The level of competition here is so high," he said. "That P.E.I. is winless is extremely misleading."
The offence that helped Saskatchewan beat B.C. was still present Wednesday, just not as successful. The prairie boys had six hits to Alberta's five in the first game.
"At times we were pleased, and at other times I guess you'd have to say we weren't," said Anholt regarding his bats. He wasn't exactly disappointed with the effort, just with the results.
"I think Jon Cotter hit five or six balls right to the shortstop today (over two games)," said Anholt. "He hit them hard, but sometimes you just can't find a hole. I didn't think we swung all that bad, really."
Saskatchewan will take on New Brunswick in the battle for fifth-place Friday at 7 a.m. MDT. Finishing 2-2 in the other pool, the Maritime kids will likely be a tough opponent.
"Traditionally, New Brunswick has brought to the table some kids who can play in terms of pitching," said Anholt.
"I'm a friend of their coach, and I know the kind of team they bring."
While the team isn't really dying for a day off, they will certainly make the best of it.
"I don't think anybody's really complaining about arms or being tired," said Anholt.
"Since we have a day off, it's their day to go see whatever part of the island they want to enjoy. That's part of the reason why we do this.

Taylor Lambert can be reached at 691-1260