NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks shortstop Carter Roth turns a double play in the first inning of a 6-4 loss at Athletic Park to the Moose Jaw Miller Express.
Medicine Hat News
On Super Hero night at Athletic Park, the Medicine Hat Mavericks’s kryptonite was unmasked as their own mistakes.
The Mavs had four errors and ran into an out for the final out in a 6-4 loss to the Moose Jaw Miller Express. They had loud contact all night, with what looked to be home runs falling just short for warning track fly outs.
“It’s one of those that you tally up to some self inflicted wounds in the aspect of we go out and score a run and we don’t get a zero after every time we put up a run, they responded, so kudos to them doing their part,” head coach Jonathon Thornhill said. “A lot of self inflicted things that are uncharacteristic for our bunch  and not something we’re worried about as a trend going forward.
“But at the same time, clean up a little bit, finish 3-2 on the home stand. You obviously want 4-1 or 5-0, but either way, finish with the winning record at the end of the week and allows you to be closer to that playoff berth as it gets closer.”
The Mavs opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI from DH Johnny Vulcano, bringing in a run on a bases loaded fielders choice hit in the infield. Moose Jaw responded in the top of the second with an RBI single to right field, falling just in front of Aaron Vulcano who laid out to attempt the catch.
The back and forth continues with the Mavs scoring in the bottom of the third, with Aaron Vulcano tagging up and scoring on a sac fly to right field off the bat of shortstop Carter Roth.
Moose Jaw answered in the fourth, grabbing a lead. They plated a run with a single to right field and saw another score with on an errant throw from Vulcano in right field, looking to beat a runner at third, missing high to send the ball into the Mavs’ dugout.
Medicine Hat tied the game in the bottom for he fourth with an RBI single from Aaron Vulcano, his second RBI on the night. The Millers again responded, with third baseman Eduardo Saenz taking advantage of a 3-1 count, with a solo home run for the 4-3 lead.
Luis Diaz started the game for the Mavs, working six innings allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits, striking out four. Ryan Harney took over and worked into the ninth inning, charged with a run on one hit and a walk.
Medicine Hat pushed for three innings for the tie, finally scoring in the bottom of the eighth to set up the ninth. First basemen Evan Morrison scored on a dropped ball, third strike in the eighth for the tie.
Luke Barrientos took over for Harney with a runner on second and one out. He recorded a strikeout before a hard hit ball to third baseman was too deep in the infield for Tyler Vanneste to make a throw on, giving Moose Jaw two runners in scoring position with two outs. Austin Gurney hit a ground ball to Roth and it skipped under his glove, allowing the two runners to score for a 6-4 Millers lead.
The Mavs gained some momentum to start the bottom of the ninth, with a leadoff single from Roth. He moved to second on a full-count walk by Johnny Vulcano. Jaden Babiuk pinch hit for Adam Vulcano, who was hitless on the day, looking to lay down a bunt. He fouled off two attempts before striking out to bring Morrison to the plate.
The local product hit a line drive to the Moose Jaw shortstop who caught the ball and caught Roth off the base, turning the double play for the final two outs of the ball game. Thornhill says the play in the eighth and the final out in the ninth are moments Roth will be a himself up on because the Stratford, Ont. product expects more from himself.
“These guys, they work hard at their craft, it’s not just summer ball to them, they care about this,” Thornhill said. “They love it, they have fun and they’re trying to make sure they’re doing the best they can for themselves and each other. So in that moment like that happens, no one’s singling each other out. It’s we got you and they’ve had that all year.
“Even in moments where we’ve come back at one game, even if it’s been at the early part of the game or middle part of the game or late part of the game. Everybody in that locker room, everybody in the organization, fans, I’m sure Carter Roth knows we’ve got his back. We got anybody’s back there.”
The Mavs stranded 12 runners, Moose Jaw left seven on base, the visiting Millers out hit Medicine Hat 10-9. Saturday’s Super Hero night was in support of Dominic Strong and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
The Mavs (24-14) are off Sunday before hosting the Saskatoon Berries, who clinched a playoff spot with an 18-2 win Saturday, for a makeup game on Monday. That is the rescheduled game from June 20.
