The Medicine Hat Mavericks celebrate their third straight win to start the season, a 9-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Miller Express at Athletic Park Sunday. -- NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Mavericks have not let off the gas to start their WCBL season.
The Mavs concluded a three-game sweep of the Moose Jaw Miller Express with a 9-3 win in their home opener at Athletic Park Sunday, marking the first Mavericks game in Medicine Hat since 2019. The Mavs outscored Moose Jaw 25-13 in the three-game set.
Mavericks head coach Tyler Jeske said he enjoyed the home opener and the support his team received from fans. He described their energy as critical to success.
“I was really happy to see our guys come out, embrace the crowd. Especially because we got we got back (from Moose Jaw) around 4 a.m. and by the time I had thrown the laundry in and was laying in bed, it was pushing 5:15 a.m.,” Jeske said. “Then you’re here by 10:30-11 a.m., back at it. Feeding off the crowd, feeding off the energy, it’s critical.”
Jeske said he’s not sure what the team’s identity will be this summer but he’s encouraged by what they’ve done offensively, defensively and on the mound. He’s also happy with the team’s aggression on the base paths, even though they’ve been “burned a couple times.” The Mavs are tied for first in the WCBL with 10 stolen bases but also tied for first in caught stealing, happening four times.
“Base running can change who wins and loses ball games at the end of the day. Our defence too, has been extremely huge, I’m pleasantly surprised,” Jeske said. “From the start Greg (Morrison) and I talked about fundamental baseball. Our goal is not to win ball games as much as it is not to lose ball games. I think the difference is, when you play baseball, you don’t lose ball games. You either embrace or miss your opportunities to buck up.”
One thing that has stood out the most to Jeske is how close the Mavericks have become in a little over a week of knowing one another.
“These guys come from all these different schools, different countries. They come together and we have three days of mini camp and you’re trying to form a team,” Jeske said. “Friday night in Moose Jaw, Forg (Michael Forgione), and I go to dinner; Rod (White) hadn’t met us yet. But Forge and I go to dinner, we walk into the restaurant and all of them are sitting at the table together. We didn’t have to tell them to do that, we didn’t even plant the seed. I think that that’s the most critical component.”
One of the few returning Mavericks, first baseman/pitcher Hunter Cooper, said this group has been fun.
“Everybody’s kind of taking it like it’s important, but we’re having fun with it,” Cooper said. “We’re putting up a lot of runs the last few games and even a close game. It’s a lot of fun especially when we’re hitting and scoring runs.”
Sunday’s starter, Ethan Bromley, earned the win with two strikeouts over five innings. He said the defence behind him is probably the best he’s ever had and it’s been fun getting to know the guys.
“It’s just fun, right? When you’re winning,” Bromley said. “It’s a little bit easier to be buddy-buddy. Our culture already seems great and obviously it’ll continue to grow.”
The Mavericks return to Athletic Park tonight to host the Okotoks Dawgs at 7:05 p.m.
