Mavs swept from WCBL playoffs with 13-7, Game 2 loss Thursday

By James Tubb on August 7, 2025.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Mavericks’ first baseman Aaron Vulcano stretches to make a catch in the first inning of Game 2 Thursday at Regina in the first-round series against the Red Sox. Regina won 13-7, eliminating the Mavs from the WCBL playoffs.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com

The 2025 season came to a close for the Medicine Hat Mavericks Thursday night.

The Mavs lost 13-7 at Regina, dropping Game 2 of the first-round series with the Red Sox. It’s the first time the Mavs have been swept in the first round of the best-of-three format playoffs.

A four-run first inning propelled the Red Sox, taking the early momentum in the game.

With two outs, Regina loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. The Red Sox scored on a close play at first, Aaron Vulcano scooped a ground ball and dove to the base to make the play, called safe for a run to score.

Head coach Jonathon Thornhill asked first base umpire Sean Weatherill to consult with his fellow umpires to no avail.

Regina capitalized, scoring three runs on a double for an early 4-0 lead. Thornhill, out to speak to starter Xander Roberts, was ejected by Weatherill.

The Red Sox scored three runs on three hits in the second inning for an early 7-0 lead.

The Mavs scored in the top of the third, with Aaron Vulcano scoring on an error by the Regina first baseman on a knock from Tyler Vanneste. A second run scored on a single from Carter Roth.

Roberts started the game for the Mavs, working into the second inning allowing seven runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks before Jensen Cockrell took over with one out. Cockrell pitched into the fourth inning, lifted for Danny Retzlaff. Cockrell allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and four walks.

Regina scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to stretch their lead to 9-2.

Medicine Hat scored a pair in the top of the sixth on an RBI double from Adam Vulcano. He scored on a single from Micah Dvorak to make it a 9-4 game.

The Red Sox pulled away in the game with a four-run seventh inning for the 13-4 lead.

Retzlaff threw three innings for the Mavs, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk, striking out three. Diego Centella worked the final five outs.

Medicine Hat pushed late, trying to spur the comeback. They loaded the bases to start the top of the ninth and Jaden Babiuk scored on a wild pitch.

Two more runs scored on a two-run single from Yusei Uzawa to make it a 13-7 game. That was as close as the Mavs got, out-hitting Regina 13-12 but falling 13-7.

Medicine Hat had the bases loaded three times in the game, managing just the two runs in the ninth.

Thornhill spoke with the News postgame and he was not surprised to see how the Mavs kept pushing until the final out.

“It’s a testament to what it’s been this summer, as much as it was 7-0 there in the first these guys never gave up,” Thornhill said. “They kept chewing away, they were one hit away from making it a one-run game  a two-run game. It just confirmed their identity all year from an offensive unit, that they’re never out of it. It just hurt us pitching like it has at times this year.”

See Saturday’s News for more on the Mavs’ playoff exit.