Mavs win marathon Game 3, advance to WCBL finals

By James Tubb on August 13, 2023.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Mavericks third baseman Nathan Tarver slides into home during the Mavs 14-7 Game 3 win Sunday to win the East finals at Moose Jaw against the Miller Express.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks weathered a storm Sunday and are off to the WCBL finals.

The Mavs held on for a 14-7 Game 3 win at Moose Jaw against the Miller Express to win the East finals 2-1 and punch a ticket to the league finals against the Okotoks Dawgs.

Head coach Kevin Mitchell was emotional after the win and says he couldn’t be prouder of his team.
”I’m at a loss for words, I love this team, I love these guys, I love this organization, I’m so proud of them,” Mitchell said. “It feels better even than I could have imagined. Moose Jaw is a hell of a team and that was a great series, we battled for three whole games.”

See Tuesday’s Medicine Hat News for a more detailed story on the Mavs East finals win and a preview of the WCBL finals.

In a game that lasted 3:40, had 21 runs, 24 hits and eight pitching changes, it was the Mavs who could hold their own for the win.

The Mavs opened the scoring in a big way in the first inning, putting up five runs for the early lead. Centre fielder Brody Gardner started the game off with a solo home run, his first long ball of the season.

First baseman Andrew Savage knocked in a run on a fielders choice play that was followed up with an RBI single from catcher Dominic VanDoorne. Right fielder Tory Nelson beat out a double play to score a run and designated hitter Thomas Richards played a run with an RBI single to round out the frame.

Moose Jaw didn’t wit to answer back, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Medicine Hat played a run in the top of the second on a solo home run from second baseman Brady Bean.

Moose Jaw kept their offence running, scoring two runs in the bottom of the frame to stay within one. They added a single run in the bottom of the third to tie the game up at 6-6.

The Mavs retook the lead in the fourth with a three-run, home run from Savage for a 9-6 advantage. Moose Jaw scored in the bottom of the fifth inning but that was all they could muster for a comeback.

Medicine Hat kept pouring on the runs, with an RBI single from third baseman Nathan Tarver and an RBI double from shortstop Tyler Vanneste to put them ahead 11-7.

The nail was hammered into the coffin in the seventh inning. Vanneste walked with the bases loaded for an RBI before Nelson notched the final runs with a two RBI single for the final 14-7 lead.

Edrian Rangel started the game and worked three innings with two strikeouts while allowing six runs (four earned) on three walks and seven hits.

Tim Carlson took over in the fourth and recorded the win with three strikeouts in his 3.1 innings pitched while only allowing one run on four hits.

Kyle Calzadiaz worked 1.3 innings with two strikeouts and a walk. Matt Krall closed the game with two strikeouts.

The Mavs are off Monday before opening the WCBL finals Tuesday at Okotoks against the Dawgs. It’s their first league finals appearance since 2018. Game 2 of the series heads back to Medicine Hat and Athletic Park on Wednesday. If needed, Game 3 would be Thursday back at Okotoks.