Mavs fall in extra innings Saturday at Okotoks

By James Tubb on June 29, 2024.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks came up short in a back-and-forth affair Saturday night.

The Mavs traded runs throughout the night with the Okotoks Dawgs, ultimately falling 6-5 in the 12th inning. Medicine Hat came into the contest off a 9-8 win Friday at Okotoks over the Dawgs.

The Mavs opened the contest in the first inning, with an RBI double from Jordan Phillips.

Okotoks answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 2-1 lead. They added to the advantage with a run in the bottom of the sixth for a 3-1 lead.

Aidan Lenzen started the game for the Mavs and worked into the fifth inning, allowing tow runs on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Dylan Runge took over on the bump for an extended outing, pitching into the 12th inning. He finished his ninth with three runs against on three hits and a walk, recording three punch-outs.

The Mavs chipped away at the Dawgs’ lead. They scored a run in the top of the seventh on an error by the Okotoks’ first baseman that allowed Evan Morrison to score. Medicine Hat tied the game up in the ninth with a two-out, RBI single from Marshall Burke to set up an eventual extra innings.

Phillips started the 10th inning on second base as the auto runner and moved up to third base on an infield single from Tyler Vanneste.

The next batter, Brady Bean, lined out to the third baseman who touched the base after Phillips who was initially called out. The umpires overturned the call and Michael Quick, the next batter, laid down a bunt that scored Phillips on a close play at home. The Okotoks head coach sprinted out of the dugout to protest and was ejected.

Medicine Hat was held to the lone run for the brief lead, which the Dawgs matched in the frame to continue the game.

The Mavs capitalized again with the auto runner, with Brody Gardner scoring the pinch running Blake Dale on an RBI single. The Dawgs again answered back to make it a 5-5 game and force the 12th inning.

The Mavs tried a bunt play again after a leadoff single, but could not score the run with Vanneste thrown out at home on Quick’s bunt attempt. They weren’t able to score in the top half of the frame, setting up the walk-off opportunity for Okotoks.

The Dawgs had runners on the corners with one out after a Mavs error. Medicine Hat intentionally walked the next batter to set up the force out around the diamond with the bases loaded and Josh Landry took over for Runge. He induced a pop up on a Dawgs’ bunt attempt for the second out.

Okotoks’ next batter, Connor Crowson, roped a single down to right field to score the winning run, beating the Mavs 6-5.

The Mavs (14-12) are back at Athletic Park on Sunday to host the Edmonton Prospects for Bark in the Park day.