Mavs all set for new season

By Sean Rooney on May 30, 2019.

They’ve only had a few days together, but the Medicine Hat Mavericks can’t wait to get their summer started.

The reigning champions open their title defence in the Western Canadian Baseball League tonight, 7:05 p.m. at Athletic Park against the Brooks Bombers. Leading the way on to the field for the top of the first inning will be six of the eight returnees from the 2018 squad, including the Gas City’s own Nolan Rattai.

“If it was our choice we would be playing tonight,” said Rattai on Tuesday. “We really want to get it going, it looks like we have a really good club. We’re itching to play.”

It’s anybody’s guess just how good, of course, though incoming head coach Tom Vessella feels like the offence could be just as good or better than the squad which scored a ridiculous 400 runs and went 38-9 in the 2018 regular season.

“Right now I think our strength is going to be hitting,” said Vessella, who’s heard good feedback from assistant coaches Fehlandt Lentini (second year) and Jared Libke (who pitched the last three years). “Everyone has pop in this lineup, and we’re going to build our system around that.”

Optimism stems from the returnees, like second baseman Rattai, first baseman Sal Rodriguez, catchers Colton Wright and Reed Odland and outfielder Julien Ly. Thursday’s starting pitcher, Jaymon Cervantes, got the decision in last August’s memorable championship victory while reliever Junior Pimentel was first out of the bullpen that night.

There would’ve been more but outfielder Jordan Dray’s hand was broken by a pitch during his last game of the season with the University of British Columbia.

There really aren’t a lot of holes to fill outside of the of the pitching staff, and some of the new faces are yet to arrive. Shortstop PJ Garcia’s Oklahoma Science and Arts were in an NAIA World Series semifinal Wednesday night, potentially playing tonight’s final in Lewistown, Idaho. Vessella said outfielder Freddy Walker is delayed by passport issues, and pitcher Brandon Ponticelli is driving up “as we speak.”

Rattai and freshman infielder Zachary Stark are the lone hometown boys on the roster, with Rattai beginning his final summer with the Mavs after finishing his senior year at Columbia College.

“It’s always good to come back, it’s a good feeling, good atmosphere at this ballpark,” he said. “I’m excited for this season.”

Brooks is already 1-1 after losing 14-5 to Okotoks Tuesday and beating Fort McMurray 15-10 Wednesday, both at their home field.