Mavs fall 5-4 in late inning thriller Friday
By James Tubb on July 7, 2023.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks kept Friday night’s contest at Swift Current interesting until the last out. The Mavs had a runner in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but couldn’t plate the tying run, falling 5-4 against the 57’s. Medicine Hat entered that contest off an off day Thursday after winning 11-5 at Regina against the Red Sox on Wednesday. Swift Current got on the board first Friday with a two-run first inning. They added a run in the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead through four frames. The 57’s were the only team to get on the board in the first seven innings of the contest. The Mavs, who outhit Swift Current 10-8 Friday, finally got on the board in the top of the eighth and tied the game up at the same time. A bases loaded single from designated hitter Nathan Tarver drove in a run before Bret Carrell scored on a double play. Catcher Dominic VanDoorne took the first pitch he saw and drove the ball to centre field for an RBI single to tie the game up at 3-3. That tie didn’t last long as Swift Current plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth for a late 5-3 lead. Medicine Hat continued their push in the ninth inning, with pinch hitting Tyler Vanneste getting hit by a pitch and a walk from left fielder Ryan Dousett putting runners on first and second with no outs. A fielders choice play put runners on first and third with one out before Carrell drew a walk to load the bases. A fly out off the bat of centre fielder Brody Gardner drove in a run from third and put runners back on the corners with two outs. Tarver stepped up to the plate and put a charge into a ball that fell short of the wall and was caught for a Swift Current 5-4 win. Dylan Esquival started the game for the Mavs and picked up a quality start, throwing six innings with six strikeouts while allowing only three runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks. The Mavs had three errors on the night to Swift Current’s one. Nicholas Spidel worked the remaining two innings, striking out two batters while allowing two runs on four hits and a walk. The Mavs (16-19) are back in action Saturday when they host the Sylvan Lake Gulls at Athletic Park. That game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. 11-10
