Mavs, East finals return to Athletic Park

By JAMES TUBB on August 12, 2023.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat Mavericks have another opportunity to shine at Athletic Park this weekend.

The WCBL East Division finals return to Athletic Park on Saturday for Game 2 of the best-of-three series against the Moose Jaw Miller Express.

The Mavs took Game 1 of the series Friday night, winning 5-4 at Moose Jaw.

If needed, Game 3 would also be back at Moose Jaw’s Ross Wells Park on Sunday.

The Mavs hosted Game 1 of their East semifinal series against the Regina Red Sox on Monday, picking up an 11-3 win in front of 1,111 fans in attendance at Athletic Park.

Edrian Rangel started Game 1 for the Mavs and recorded a quality start for the victory, striking out six batters in his six innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on four walks and five hits.

He says the fans at Athletic Park created an exciting and motivating atmosphere for the rest of their playoffs.

“I’m fired up for it again, with hopefully five more wins ahead so we can get some merchandise,” Rangel said after the Game 1 win.

The Mavs had a 13-15 record at home during the regular season but won eight of their last 10 games at their friendly confines, not including their Game 1 win.

Head coach Kevin Mitchell says there’s no where else he would rather be than Athletic Park on a Saturday night.

“I can’t wait for Saturday. I wish every game the rest of the way was at home but that’s not the way it works unfortunately,” Mitchell said.

“It’s going to be awesome. Everybody that comes out is going to have a great time because the guys are going to put on a show for them. They’ll be playing hard and playing for each other and playing for the fans, it’s going to be awesome.”

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