PHOTO COURTESY OF MEDICINE HAT BIG LEAGUE
The Medicine Hat Moose Monarchs U18 team poses after winning their championship game on Sunday in a locally held tournament.
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The Medicine Hat Moose Monarchs added a new medal to their trophy case this weekend.
The U18 American Legion baseball team took first place in a locally held tournament this weekend, beating the Webber Wildcats prep team 8-6 in the finals on Sunday.
The Monarchs overcame a first inning 4-0 lead from the Wildcats by scoring six runs in the bottom of the frame, eventually leading to their final score. Evan Morrison led the way offensively with a two-run home run in the first inning, finishing his championship game with two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs.
Jeff Bullock added three hits and two runs scored and Trevi Ressler drove in two runs on two hits. On the Monarchs’ mound, Kayne Olinski started the game and recorded an out before running into trouble, and Ressler took over for the win. Ressler pitched six innings with five strikeouts, handing the ball over to Bullock in the seventh inning to record the final two outs.
Before making it to the finals, the Monarchs had four games spread across Friday and Saturday, finishing 3-1 in those contests. They opened Friday with a 7-6 win over the Elks AA. Morrison and Graceon Little each had two hits and an RBI in the win. Cade Harrison pitched four innings with two strikeouts before Ryler Straarup picked up the win with three strikeouts in five innings pitched.
The Moose Monarchs continued the momentum Friday with a 4-3 win over the same Wildcats, setting up an eventual rematch in the finals. Aidan Eckersall led the offence in that win with two hits, an RBI and two walks. Woolridge pitched five innings in that contest, registering two strikeouts before Bullock picked up the win with two strikeouts in two innings pitched for the win.
The Monarchs split their action on Saturday, beating the Saskatoon Giants U18 5-2 before falling 8-5 against the Calgary Premier Blues. Ressler led the Monarchs offensively against Saskatoon with a hit, two RBI and a run scored. Morrison pitched 6.1 innings with four strikeouts, Ressler worked the final two outs.
In their lone loss of the weekend, Olinski led the offence with two hits and an RBI. Parker Hunt started the game on the mound with three strikeouts in three innings pitched. Waylan Watson and Fischer Haysom came into the game in relief, with Watson recording two strikeouts in two innings pitched and Haysom working a clean inning.
