Monarchs find success in rained out tourney

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 7, 2022.

The Medicine Hat Moose Monarchs had a strong start to their Servus Credit Union Baseball Tournament before Mother Nature took over.

The Monarchs had a 2-1 record in the locally-hosted tournament and were halfway through their fourth game when the rain came Saturday evening.

The U18 club opened the tournament Friday with a 5-3 win over the Calgary Blues. Koby Eskestrand led the way offensively with two hits and a run scored in the win. Kayden Hellucka was the winning pitcher as he rang up 10 strikeouts in a complete game, seven-inning effort.

The Monarchs followed that win up with an 18-2 victory over the Saskatoon Giants later Friday evening.

Kyle Woolridge started for the Monarchs and picked up the win with two innings of work. Dylan Lefler came in from the bullpen and had one strikeout in his three innings.

Evan Morrison, Hellucka and Eskestrand each had two hits in the win, Morrison led the way with five RBIs. Hellucka was not far behind, as he paired two walks with four RBIs of his own.

The Monarchs were handed a loss to start their Saturday, as they fell 12-6 to the Calgary Blues.

Woolridge and Hellucka each had two hits in the loss and Payton Eddy had two RBIs against the Blues. Woolridge started again for the Moose Monarchs and worked only a 1.1 innings with two strikeouts. Lefler came in from the bullpen and threw 3.2 innings of relief.

Eskestrand was the last arm out of the pen, working one inning of relief.

The Monarchs faced off against the Elks AA team Saturday evening and were trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the fourth when the game was delayed with the bases loaded for the Monarchs.

Cade Harrison started the game and threw 1.1 innings with two strikeouts. Hayden Hall took over on the mound with 2.2 innings of work. Hall helped his own case offensively with two RBIs.

The Monarchs (19-11) are in action this weekend when they head to Lethbridge for a three-day tournament starting Friday.

U18 Knights play

four-game set

The Medicine Hat Knights U18 team had a four-pack of games this weekend.

The Knights (6-10) opened the weekend with a Friday afternoon 5-0 win over the Camrose Cougars.

Cade Moch picked up the victory on the mound with seven strikeouts and no hits allowed in four innings pitched. Cole Carlson worked the last three innings of the game with one strikeout.

Parker Krauss and Mace Carriere led the Knights offensively with two hits and a run scored each.

The Knights fell in their second game Friday, losing 11-2 to the Parkland Twins Blue 18U.

Dryden Pidlisny and Carlson each had two hits for the Knights in the loss. Landon Macpherson toed the rubber for the Knights and struck out two in his two innings on the mound. Pryce Velichko took over and worked 4.2 innings with one strikeout. Wryder Welte entered from the pen to get the final out.

The Knights had a tough start to their Saturday, losing 13-1 to the Sherwood Park A’s. Parker Hunt led the Knights with two hits in three at bats.

Pidlisny started the game and worked an inning and a third. JJ Harnett threw 3.1 innings out of the bullpen and racked up two strikeouts.

The Knights took on the Edmonton Padres for their final match of the weekend and fell 12-3.

Hunt started the game for the Knights and struck out three batters in his 3.2 innings of work.

Declan Foshaug and Welte entered in relief, throwing a combined 2.1 innings with two and one strikeouts, respectively.

Velichko led the way offensively with two hits and an RBI.

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