The Saskatchewan Selects are off to a winning start at the Baseball Canada Cup.
The team of first- and second-year midget players is 2-1 after they opened the tournament with a 5-3 win over Manitoba and a 10-1 win over Newfoundland and Labrador and a 10-8 10th inning loss to P.E.I. Thursday night.
The Sask Selects feature four members of the Moose Jaw South Country Equipment Cardinals — Mike Miller, James Dombowsky, Tanner Spencer and Lucas McKay — along Payton Hillsdon from the AA Moose Jaw Canucks.
“We’ve played well,” said Selects coach Roger Anholt before the late game Thursday.
The Selects got off to a great start with their win over Manitoba Wednesday in Pool B.
“Getting the first two wins is nice, particularly the first one against Manitoba,” said Anholt. “They’re always a bit of a nemesis and they play hard.”
Pool B features the bottom six teams from last year’s tournament and only the top two will advance to the playoffs. Their 2-1 record gives them little margin for error.
Saskatchewan plays Alberta tonight at 7 p.m.
P.E.I. 10 Sask. 8
The Selects fought back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, but lost in the 10th.
After falling behind 2-0, the Selects rallied and took a 7-3 lead after three innings thanks to two big rallies.
Then the winless Islanders put up five runs in the top of the fourth to steal back the momentum.
Miller started his third straight game at first base and was 1-for-5 with a run scored. Dombowsky also scored a run.
Sask. 10 N.L. 1
The Selects got off to a fast start, but got some help from Newfoundland and Labrador.
N.L. starter Michael Glynn took the loss, but never gave up a hit. Instead he walked five of the nine batters he faced and gave up four runs as he didn’t get out of the second inning.
The Selects only had four hits, but used 11 walks and two errors to produce their 10 runs.
Miller scored a run, while McKay was 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI while playing in right field.
Sask. 5 Manitoba 3
In the opener, Craik’s Spencer earned the win as he pitched six innings. He allowed three hits and three unearned runs while striking out eight batters.
He needed some help though as Hillsdon came in with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh. He proceeded to get a strike out and got a fly out to end the threat and earn the save.
“It was a great day for the Moose Jaw guys and the entire Saskatchewan team,” said Anholt.
McKay finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base.
Miller earned three walks. Dombowsky scored a run and stole a pair of bases as he started in left field.
