By James Tubb on August 2, 2023.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks are returning to Athletic Park on a hot streak. The Mavs completed their second come back in as many nights, winning 8-6 Wednesday at Moose Jaw against the Miller Express. Medicine Hat entered the contest of a 10-5 victory Tuesday against the Miller Express that featured 10 unanswered Mavs’ runs. Wednesday’s win also marks the Mavs’ fifth in a row. They also clinch a .500 record on the season with a win, sitting at 28-25 with three games remaining. Moose Jaw op wed the scoring Wednesday with a two-run first inning. The Mavs answered back in the top of the second with an RBI double from right fielder Tory Nelson. The Miller Express added to their lead in the third and forth innings, scoring three runs to jump ahead 5-1. Medicine Hat stayed relevant, answering back in the fifth with a solo home run from left fielder Ryan Dousett. His first solo blast of the season brought the score to 5-2. After a scoreless sixth inning, the Mavs took over the contest. An error by Moose Jaw’s third baseman followed by two straight singles loaded the bases for the Mavs with nobody out. Back-to-back bases loaded singles from pinch hitter Adam Vulcano, centre fielder Brody Gardner and a bases loaded walk from 2B Brady Bean tied the game at 5-5. The Mavs continued to push with the bases juiced. Third baseman Nathan Tarver drove in two runs with a double and the six-run frame was capped off by shortstop Johnny Vulcano driving in a run on a double. Moose Jaw made a late push, scoring a run in the ninth inning, but could not complete the come back as Medicine Hat held on for the 8-6 win. Garrett Nicholson started the contest and we worked three innings with three strikeouts while allowing four runs on four hits with a walk. The former Miller Express, Tim Carlson, took over as relief and picked up the win on the mound with his three innings of work. He held Moose Jaw to one run on two hits with a strikeout, allowing the offence to come back. Kyle Calzadiaz came into the game in the seventh and worked the final three innings, picking up four strikeouts while only allowing one run on four hits. The Mavs (28-25) are back at Athletic Park to kick off their three game home stand to finish the regular season. That gets underway Thursday as they host the Lethbridge Bulls for a 7:05 p.m. contest. 14