By James Tubb on June 10, 2023.
After a night of trading runs, the Medicine Hat Mavericks were the final team to cross home plate Saturday night. The Mavericks beat the Moose Jaw Miller Express 7-6 in the first of a two-game set against the East division leaders. Medicine Hat entered the Saturday contest of a 12-3 blowout win over the Brooks Bombers on Friday at Athletic park. The Mavericks opened the scoring in the first inning with a RBI single from catcher Dominic VanDoorne. Moose Jaw added a run of their own in the bottom of the opening frame before adding two more in the second for a 3-1 lead. Both teams scored in the third inning, Medicine Hat’s offence coming off the bat of shortstop Tyler Vanneste, who had a RBI double. Again both teams scored the same amount of runs on the same inning, with the Mavericks and Miller Express each scoring twice in the fourth inning for the 6-4 Moose Jaw lead. Vanneste again put up the Mavericks runs, hitting a two-RBI double in the frame. The Mavericks pulled away and grabbed the lead in the sixth inning, scoring three runs for the ventral final score of 7-6. A two-RBI triple from third baseman Nathan Tarver that was followed up two pitches later with a sacrifice fly out from left fielder Brent Cota gave the Mavericks the lead. Adam Golby started the game for the Mavericks, his third of the season. He worked four innings with a strikeout while allowing seven hits, six runs and three walks. Kyle Calzadiaz took over in the fifth and was credited with the win after pitching five innings with sevens strikeouts while only allowing one hit and two walks. The Mavericks (6-6) are back in Moose Haw on Sunday for a rematch with the Miller Express. They return to Athletic Park on Monday to face the Fort McMurray Giants. 10