NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks centrefielder Brody Gardner looks to third base for the batting signs in the Mavs' 11-5 loss at Athletic Park against the Regina Red Sox on July 2.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Mavericks had a busy start to the weekend.
The Mavs hosted the Weyburn Beavers at Athletic Park on Friday for doubleheader action heading into an all-star break and all-star game at Okotoks on Saturday.
Friday’s doubleheader came to be after a Thursday night contest against the Beavers was postponed due to a rain storm that hit after Medicine Hat took batting practice, and returned around the originally scheduled first pitch.
Head coach Kevin Mitchell says the postponed game, while unfortunate, provided them opportunity for an unplanned team building exercise.
“I feel fortunate to have been around enough baseball in my life to know that those are the moments that you remember,” Mitchell said. “I’m sure these guys in the moment think it’s not ideal and it’s not what they want to be doing. But that is the good stuff. So whether they realize it or not, when they look back, it’s times like that they’ll appreciate.”
Friday’s slate marked the second doubleheader of the season for the Mavs, having split one in Regina on June 27. That doubleheader was in the middle of a 10 games in nine day stretch for the Mavs while this one comes after three days without playing at all.
He says with those days off and the all-star break as close as it is, it’s added incentive to head into the break in winning fashion.
“It makes us feel better than how the last week and a half have gone,” Mitchell said. “Two wins against the Beavers to go into a break and then back here for two more home games against Moose Jaw, I feel a lot better about that.”
The Mavs took game one of the seven-inning double header, beating Weyburn 2-1. Medicine Hat starter Dylan Esquival worked four innings with seven strikeouts while allowing one run on two hits. Kyle Calzadiaz was credited with the win, striking out three batters in two innings pitched while only allowing a hit.
Matt Krall recorded the save working an almost clean seventh, allowing one hit.
Medicine Hat’s offence came from an RBI single off the bat of third baseman Nathan Tarver in the first inning. The winning run came off a fourth inning, RBI triple from shortstop Tyler Vanneste.
The win snapped the Mavs’ four-game losing streak, also giving them their first win at home since June 25.
Mitchell and his six all-stars – pitchers Dylan Esquival, Dylan Weaver, Kyle Calzadiaz, infielder Nathan Tarver, outfielder Brody Gardner and utility man Brady Bean – will travel to the game with other selected players from the East division, the Lethbridge Bulls and Brooks Bombers.
“I’m excited to be with all the guys and get to network with the coaches, and we have the itinerary for the day, it’s going to be jam packed,” Mitchell said. “I know that there’s going to be a ton of people there and a ton of kids, players signing autographs, I get to throw to (Tarver) in the Home Run Derby, which will be pretty cool. We worked out a little strategy Thursday, so I feel pretty good about it.”
Mitchell says the two discussed where the slugger wants the balls thrown with the target set middle low and hard. It’s a moment Mitchell and Tarver are looking forward to.
“It’s a time limit, it’s not outs so there’s some pressure on the pitcher to be throwing enough strikes to give the guy a chance to hit,” Mitchell said. “I feel like I like the spotlight and I know Tarver does, too.
“It’s going to be a blast, I’m just looking forward to having fun and putting on a show for the crowd,” Tarver said.
The Phoenix, Ari. product says he’s approaching the derby like the does batting practice and will try to damage with every swing while representing the Mavs in the derby and the game.
“It was my main goal coming into the the summer to make the game and to make my university and my family proud,” Tarver said.
The all-star festivities at Okotoks’ Seaman Stadium get underway Saturday with gates opening at 3:39 p.m. and the home run derby at 5 p.m. The all-star game starts at 7:05 p.m. with fireworks to follow.
See Tuesday’s News for full coverage of the Mavs’ performances and experience at the all-star game. The second half of the Mavs’ double header Friday was not complete by press time, visit medicinehatnews.com/sports for a full game story. Their next home game is Monday for the first of a two-game set against the Moose Jaw Miller Express.
