NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks starting pitcher Garrett Nicholson is mid delivery of a pitch in the first inning of the Mavericks 9-4 loss Monday at Athletic Park against the Fort McMurray Giants.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks are looking for a bounce back Tuesday.
The Mavericks lost 9-4 Monday night at Athletic Park against the Fort McMurray Giants. They came into the contest off a 10-3 defeat in Moose Jaw on Sunday against the Miller Express. Monday was the eighth straight game for the Mavericks and the wrap up a streak of nine in a row Tuesday in Swift Current against the 57’s.
Mavericks head coach Mark Goodman says as long as the team builds off of Monday’s loss, they will be okay.
“We can go two ways right now, we can build off of it and start something or we can get bitter about it and start something else,” Goodman said. “We had a good chat with the boys just now, so hopefully we can finish this nine-game stand here with a win, take the day off, reboot and reset.
“We’re about one quarter through the season. The grind is hitting them, they’ve never done this before, but I’m confident the boys will bounce back tomorrow.”
The Mavericks were the first on the board Monday, scoring in both the third and fourth innings for a 3-0 lead. First baseman Tory Nelson scored in the third inning on an error by the Fort McMurray second baseman on a fielders choice hit off the bat of shortstop Tyler Vanneste. Medicine Hat added two runs in the fourth inning on a RBI single from designated hitter Noah Adams before left fielders Ryan Dousett scored on a wild pitch.
Fort McMurray added a run in the top of the fifth inning but that was the only damage Mavericks starter Garrett Nicholson allowed. The veteran lefty pitched his way through 6.2 innings of three hit baseball, allowing the lone run and four walks while striking out a batter. Tim Carlson took over in the top of the seventh with runners on the corners with two outs, inducing a groundout to keep Medicine Hat ahead 3-1.
The Giants capitalized in the top of the eighth and ninth inning, scoring a combined eight runs to blow open the game and secure a lead. Carlson was a lifted after facing seven batters in the eighth and recording two outs, and Dylan Weaver took over. He got the final out of the eighth inning and recorded one more in the ninth before Lucas Teel took over for the final two.
Medicine Hat added a run in the bottom of the ninth, Brent Cota pinch hitting for Nelson, drove in the pinch running Zach Stark from third base but the damage was already done and the lead was too much. Fort McMurray held on for the 9-4 victory.
The Mavericks (6-8) head to Swift Current on Tuesday before a day off on Wednesday. They’re back at Athletic Park on Thursday to host the 57’s and welcome the Okotoks Dawgs to town on Friday, both are 7:05 p.m. contests.
