Mavs snap losing streak with win Friday over Okotoks

By James Tubb on June 28, 2024.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks got back in the win column against the WCBL’s best.

The Mavs came back and held on for a 9-8 win Friday at Okotoks over the Dawgs.

Medicine Hat came into the contest with a three-game losing streak, most recently falling 10-8 at Swift Current to the 57’s on Wednesday. The win also handed the Dawgs’ a second-straight loss for the first time this season.

Okotoks opened the scoring with four runs in the first two innings, capped off by a three-run first frame for an early 4-0 lead.

Medicine Hat answered back in the fourth with three runs.

Brady Bean scored a run with a sacrifice hit in the infield to start the offence. Three batters later, Micah Dvorak knocked in a run with an RBI single to centre field and then Marshall Burke scored the third run of the frame with an RBI single to right field.

The Mavs grabbed a brief lead with two runs in the fifth inning.

Tyler Vanneste knocked a double to right field to plate the two runs for a 5-4 lead. It did not last long as Okotoks scored in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 5-5.

Jacob Petersheim started the contest for the Mavs and worked into the fifth inning. He recorded two outs in the frame, finishing his ninth with five runs (four earned) on four hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Jack Novak took over on the mound and ended up with the win, working 3.1 innings with two run against on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

The Mavs grabbed their first lead of the game with a four-run seventh inning to lead 9-5.

With a quick two outs, the Mavs capitalized with RBI doubles from Brady Bean and Michael Quick. After a pair of walks and two pitching changes, Burke knocked in a pair of runs with a two-run double for the 9-5 lead.

Okotoks chipped away at the lead, with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 9-8 Mavs lead in the ninth.

Josh Landry took over on the mound looking for the save in the bottom of the final frame. The Dawgs’ leadoff hitter Logan Grant got to third base on a triple that appeared to be a fly out before falling behind centre fielder Brody Gardner. Grant scored on a wild pitch a batter later to make it a 9-8 game.

Landry shut the door on the Dawgs’ comeback bid, working a strikeout before allowing back-to-back singles. He recorded the final out with a five-pitch strikeout, preserving the 9-8 win.

Landry struck out two batters while allowing three hits and the run for his second save of the season.

The Mavs (14-11) are back at Okotoks on Saturday for a rematch against the Dawgs.