Mavs fall 13-9 Sunday, drop weekend set against Sylvan lake

By James Tubb on July 9, 2023.

A warm Sunday afternoon got away from the Medicine Hat Mavericks.

The Mavs lost 13-9 at Athletic Park against the Sylvan Lake Gulls, dropping their two-game weekend set against the second best team in the West division. Medicine Hat lost 18-5 on Saturday, getting outscored 31-14.

Head coach Kevin Mitchell said Sunday’s effort from his team was better than Saturday night’s and was in the right direction of the bounce back he wanted.

“Guys grinded out at bats the whole game, and they’re a good team, we got beat, but there was no quit in our guys today and they can be proud of that,” Mitchell said. “I’m proud of them and proud of the way they handled themselves today.”

The Mavs were led offensively in the loss by catcher Andrew Savage, who hit two home runs for five RBIs. He says he’s been putting in the work and was glad to see it pay off.

“I’ve been coming early for a lot of extra work and trying to put in that extra time just to get myself right,” Savage said. “I’ve been staying focused with the guys and staying with the process. It didn’t work out for us today but we’ll all stay with it and everybody has those days.”

The Mavs were the first on the board Sunday, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning for an early lead. Savage opened the frame with a hit by pitch before scoring on a wild pitch two batters later. Designated hitter Bret Carrell drove in a run with a RBI single that was followed up by centre fielder Brody Gardner plating on run on a sacrifice double play.

Sylvan Lake answered back in the top of the fourth inning, scoring four runs to make the game a 3-3 tie. The Mavs continued their momentum, scoring twice in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead. With a runner on second base, Savage drove the third pitch he saw over the left field fence for his first home run of the season and on the afternoon.

The Gulls jumped ahead in the fifth, scoring six runs for a 9-2 lead. They added four more in the top of the sixth inning to go up 13-5. Medicine Hat answered back with Savage’s second home run of the game, a three-run blast off the second pitch he saw to put the game at 13-8.

Medicine Hat added a late run in the ninth inning, Carrell drove in a run with a RBI double, but it was too little too late as the final score was set at 13-9.

Eidan Rangel started the contest for the Mavs and worked four innings while allowing three runs on three hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Kyle Calzadiaz took the mound in the fifth and loaded the bases with three walks before Tim Carlson took over. Carlson worked the Mavs out of the fifth inning while allowing three runs on four hits with a strikeout. Nicholas Spidel pitched the remaining four innings, allowing four run son six hits and a walk while striking out one.

Between walks and hit batters the Mavs put nine runners on base without allowing a hit. Eight of those runners scored.

The Mavs (16-21) are back in action Monday before two days off as they host the Brooks Bombers at Athletic Park. That game gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

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