NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks pitcher Edrian Rangel celebrates the final out of an inning with catcher Dominic VanDoorne in the Mavs 4-2 win at Athletic Park against the Moose Jaw Miller Express on July 17.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Mavericks have had a lot of learning moments throughout the 2023 WCBL season.
Through losing streaks, blow out losses, leading the league in errors for the majority of the season and piling up walks, the Mavs have had a lot of difficult lessons to swallow. As of late they’ve limited their walk and error totals, no longer leading the league in either negative category.
This past weekend was another learning opportunity, in a positive way, as the Mavs get closer and closer to the playoffs. An 11-inning win at Brooks against the Bombers on Thursday was followed up with a 13-inning loss Saturday in Swift Current against the 57’s.
The Mavs – after facing a hail storm Saturday that led to a doubleheader Tuesday – beat the WCBL’s best Okotoks Dawgs 4-2 on Sunday.
The Mavs had lost their first three matchups against the Dawgs, getting outscored 32-13. After holding them to two runs on Sunday, head coach Kevin Mitchell says he’s seen a lot of growth from his team across the summer.
“There’s been a ton of growth from an emotional intelligence standpoint and from a mental toughness standpoint,” Mitchell said. “Looking at the two previous games we played, they were both extra-inning affairs on the road, 11 innings against Brooks and we grinded out that one. And then we get the 13-inning marathon at Swift on Friday.
“When you go play games like that and emotions are running so high for an extended period of time, it helps put things in perspective. That paid dividends for us on Sunday.”
The Mavs took the first game of their seven-inning doubleheader Tuesday, beating Swift Current 6-1. Right fielder Max Valdez led the way offensively with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs scored.
Both third baseman Nathan Tarver and first baseman Andrew Savage added RBIs on hits. Garrett Nicholson started the contest and picked up the win, working six innings with nine strikeouts while only allowing one run on two hits and four walks. Casey Henderson took over in the seventh and closed the game with a strikeout.
The second game of the doubleheader was not complete by press time, visit medicinehatnews.com/sports for a full game story.
Tuesday marked the third doubleheader of the summer season and added another win to their seven-inning game record, sitting at 4-1. Heading into the doubleheader, Mitchell was looking forward to the challenge of another seven-inning contest.
“A seven-inning game definitely has to be managed a little differently than a nine-inning game, quite a bit differently,” Mitchell said. “It’s not like you just lose the eighth or ninth inning, you lose the sixth and seventh, which means those games get late early. When you’re into the fifth you’re already thinking about strategy in terms of an eighth inning perspective. I kind of like that and I think our guys do too, it moves the game quicker.
“Any time you have a chance to get two wins in one day, that’s a good opportunity.”
While the WCBL is a developmental league for its players, it also offers a growing opportunity for its coaches who are either working in new roles or are further strengthening their skills. Mitchell says he’s benefited a lot from the decisions he’s had to make, whether or not he’s liked them in reflection, and that starts with doubleheaders.
“It’s managing for the whole day, obviously you have to win the game you’re in but it’s understanding and trusting guys to get the job done,” Mitchell said. “Knowing that you might not have them for the second game. Balancing that is difficult but it’s fun. More guys are involved in a doubleheader day, so you get to wipe the slate clean after one and start fresh the second game. Win or lose you’re able to do that and turn the page to that second game. It gives you a chance to capitalize on either what went well or what mistakes were made in the first game.”
The Mavs return to action tonight when they host the Fort McMurray Giants at Athletic Park. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m.
