Mike Rahrich showed Sunday why he was the Moose Jaw Miller Express’ most valuable player least year.
The six-foot-five right-hander escaped a nightmare start unscathed and then proceeded to buckle down and produce a fantastic complete game win.
The Express’ 3-1 win over the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets propelled them into the playoffs.
“We’re all excited,” said Rahrich. “We think we have a better team than last season. We’re hot right now — we’re the hottest team in the WMBL. We definitely have something to prove in the playoffs so we’re all excited for it.”
The Express will have to wait to find out who they will play when the Western Major Baseball League playoffs open Friday. The Express expect to meet either Regina or Melville.
Rahrich gave up four straight singles to open the game, but didn’t surrender a run as Dustin Silva and Christian Wise combined to pick a runner off of second base. The Express then turned a double-play to end the inning.
In the second the Jackets loaded the bases again, but failed to push a run across.
“It was frustrating. They were hitting me around . . . but we were getting out of it,” said Rahrich.
“I knew I had to keep my composure if I wanted to make it out of the game. I’ve been in the situation before so that helps a lot.”
After giving up seven hits in two innings, Rahrich only allowed three more hits in the last seven innings he pitched. Rahrich has won his last four starts including consecutive complete games.
To give up seven hits in two innings — but stay scoreless — was a testament to the defence. The Express didn’t make an error, turned two double plays and catcher Luke Hardcastle threw out a runner.
The Express broke the deadlock in controversial fashion in the third. With the bases loaded, the Jackets tried to force Matt Balogh out at home, but a high throw ruled out the force and after Balogh and Saskatoon catcher Matt Lucchesi collided, Balogh was ruled safe. Ben Douglas’ sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
In the fourth, Ryan Palmer hit a solo home run off the scoreboard for the Jackets to halve the lead.
The Express restored their two-run lead in the fifth when Douglas came home to score from first base on a Scott Hornstra double. The throw beat Douglas home, but Lucchesi couldn’t squeeze the ball.
Douglas was 2-for-3 with with a run and an RBI for the Express.
