NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks' pitcher Braeden Davis unleashes a pitch in the first inning of the Mavs' 10-1 win Thursday at Athletic Park over the Swift Current 57's.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks got back in the win column at the friendly confines of Athletic Park.
The Mavs notched a 10-1 win Thursday night, beating the Swift Current 57’s. They came into the win off a 6-4 victory Wednesday at Brooks over the Bombers. Thursday’s win gives them a victory at Athletic Park since dropping a two-game series Sunday and Monday to the Fort McMurray Giants where they were outscored 26-5.
Starter Braeden Davis threw six innings, allowing only one run on three hits with a walk while striking out seven batters. The Woodinville, Wash. product was all smiles after the win and he says they had the momentum from the get-go.
“All the guys were into it, up there pitching and everyone had my back,” Davis said. “I loved it, the hitters were on fire, it was great, just great energy.”
Medicine Hat opened the scoring right from the first inning.
After a two-out double from right fielder Jordan Phillips, catcher Nick Thibodeau drove a double to left field for an RBI and the 1-0 lead.
The Mavs added to the lead in the third, scoring four runs for the 5-0 advantage.
A two-out, RBI single from Phillips started the inning and he later scored on a bases loaded single from first baseman Evan Morrison that drove in a pair of runs. Catcher Michael Quick continued the offence with a single that squeaked through the second baseman’s legs to cap off the inning.
The 57’s got on the board in the fifth with a questionable call from the umpires. A ball was hit to right field and rolled to the foul territory fence, rolling under the tarp. Phillips stuck his hands up looking for a dead ball call and first base umpire Brian Hodgson just stared back.
The Swift Current batter, Demetrio Archuleta, scored in what was ruled an inside-the-park home run much to the dismay of the 1,166 in attendance. The explanation given to the Mavs’ was the umpire could still see the ball, meaning it was still in play.
Head coach Kevin Mitchell liked how his team responded offensively after that play and tipped his cap to Davis.
“The credit also goes to Braden Davis for filling it up so well after that happened,” Mitchell said. “He was right back in the strike zone on the next pitch and that’s what we needed.”
The Mavs responded from the officiating miscue and added three runs to their tally for a 8-1 lead. Vanneste drove in a pair of runs with a two-RBI single to left field and Quick knocked in another run a batter later. The inning finished with a sacrifice fly to right field off the bat of shortstop Johnny Vulcano.
Medicine Hat rounded out the offence with a two-run sixth inning, for the final score of 10-1.
A single from Vanneste knocked in two runs, giving him two RBIs with a pair of hits and runs scored on the night. The Saskatoon product says he was just doing his job at the plate.
“It was good to contribute, bringing in two runners in scoring position, getting them in,” Vanneste said. “That’s what we have to do, that’s how you win games.”
Medicine Hat product Brett Getz worked the seventh inning on the mound, striking out two batters while only allowing two walks. Ryan Dexter finished the game off, punching out three batters with a hit and two walks against in his tow frames of work.
The Mavs (6-3) are at Brooks on Friday to face the Bombers before they host the Weyburn Beavers at Athletic Park for a two-game set on Saturday and Sunday.
