FILE PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks pitcher Bryce Libke is one of two third year Mavs on the roster as they head towards the playoffs in a few weeks.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Two of the Medicine Hat Mavericks elder statesmen have made an impact at the right time.
Mavs third year pitchers Garrett Nicholson and Bryce Libke have played a big role and picked up wins during the team’s five-game winning streak. Libke pitched a complete game, seven-inning shutout in a 5-0 doubleheader win over the Weyburn Beavers on July 14 and Nicholson worked five innings in a 10-7 win over the East Division-leading Moose Jaw Miller Express on July 18.
Head coach Kevin Mitchell credits the duo as playing big roles in the success as of late, and for their presence all season long.
“They’ve been a big part of us getting the ship steered in the right direction,” Mitchell said. “Everybody has to play their part and for guys who have been around, starting pitchers of ours, they play a big part. Bryce and Garrett have done a good job of leading the way even when things haven’t gone their way. They still show up every day ready to work. They’re great in the clubhouse, they’re great with the other guys. That’s really helpful too because the opposite of that is whatever is affecting them individually, seeps out into the rest of the team. But Neither of them have allowed that to happen.”
Nicholson’s win on July 18 marked his second victory on the season but only his first at home, where the 6-foot-4 left-handed pitcher had struggled to get a decision to go his way. That win was a relief for Nicholson and a confidence booster, coming against a strong Moose Jaw team.
“It was kind of relieving, I’ve had to work a little harder to get some wins at home personally but I think the hard work’s paid off,” Nicholson said.
“Our team morale right now is great, especially taking two wins from a team like Moose Jaw. It’s great for the confidence and just our all around chemistry.”
Nicholson has experienced the different roles that come with playing summer baseball at different ages. He came in as a younger guy on a 2019 team that lost in a first-round series against the Lethbridge Bulls, was an older player on the 2022 team that lost in the East final against the Miller Express and is now in his final season of eligibility in the WCBL. He says he’s enjoyed all of the roles and his time in the red and white.
“I’ve definitely had a few struggles throughout this season personally, my first year we had an older team, we had a lot of graduated guys,” Nicholson said. “These last two years we have had a lot of younger guys, a little more inexperienced. So it’s been a little different in that aspect. But the feeling of playing here at AP with the fans and all that, it’s been really fun.”
Libke has also embraced a new role this season, not just as the older guy in the dressing room, but also on the field. The Saskatoon product had been primarily a reliever his first two WCBL seasons before making the move to the starting rotation this summer. He has a 3-4 record with a 3.91 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. It’s a role he had at Bismark State College this spring and has relished with the Mavs.
“It’s my favourite thing, going out and having a real impact on the game.,” Libke said. “Just putting up zeros as best as I can. It’s almost more fun to do when you’re starting rather than coming out of the bullpen.”
On top of a new role, Libke says he’s really enjoyed playing on this year’s team and sees them as a family that has grown together over the summer.
“There’s nothing I can say for these guys, they’re basically family at this point,” Libke said. “We’re all ride-or-die at this point. We’ll have our little issues but nothing that would break anything up here.”
Libke and the Mavs opened a two-game set at Swift Current on Friday against the 57’s after winning 7-5 in 11 innings at Brooks against the Bombers on Thursday. Friday’s game was not complete by press time, visit medicinehatnews.com/sports for a full game story.
The Mavs have a rematch at Swift Current on Saturday before they head to Okotoks to battle the Dawgs on Sunday.
