NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks outfielder Jordan Phillips celebrates his RBI triple in the Mavs' 10-9 win Friday at Athletic Park over the Moose Jaw Miller Express.
sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews
Jordan Phillips will get his second shot at the WCBL’s home run derby.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks outfielder will represent the red and white during the derby at Saturday’s WCBL all-star game at Okotoks. It’s the second time he’s playing in the all-star game and taking part in the home run derby, with the first time being in 2022 as a member of the Edmonton Prospects.
Phillips is taking over as the Mavs’ home run derby participant for infielder Tyler Vanneste who was originally tabbed for the derby but will no longer compete in the pre-game spectacle.
Phillips offered some advice to Vanneste from his first derby that he will now look to apply himself.
“When I did it two years ago, I was gassed from it,” Phillips said. “I told him that he needs to actually train for it. I didn’t train and I just went out there and hit. At about halfway through the first round I told myself I should train for this because I was tired.”
Phillips hit five home runs in the final round of the 2022 home run derby, finishing second to Nolan Machibroda of the Weyburn Beavers who hit six in the finals for the win. He entered the derby having not hit a home run in the regular season, turning on the power under the spotlights.
Phillips has six home runs for the Mavs in 38 games this season.
The Mavs and Phillips were in action Wednesday, at Moose Jaw taking on the Miller Express. The matchup is the last regular season contest between the two teams, with Medicine Hat leading the season series 6-3. Wednesday’s game is the first action for the Mavs after winning two of three against Moose Jaw in a home series over the weekend.
Wednesday’s game was not complete by press time, visit medicinehatnews.com/sports for a full game story.
The Mavs are back in action tonight at Regina against the East division leading Red Sox before they return to Athletic Park on Friday to face the Weyburn Beavers ahead of Saturday’s all-star game.
