NEWS PHOTOS
The Medicine Hat Mavericks 10 representatives pose at the WCBL all-star game Saturday at Okotoks' Seaman Stadium. The Mavs sent assistant coaches Tory Nelson, Cody Henderson, infielder Marshall Burke, pitcher Jack Novak, Jacob Petersheim and Josh Landry, catcher Nick Thibodeau, infielder Tyler Vanneste, outfielder Jordan Phillips and head coach Kevin Mitchell.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Mavericks left their imprint on the WBCL’s summer spectacle.
The Mavs’ all-star representatives showed up and shined on Saturday at Okotoks’ Seaman Stadium, as the Kevin Mitchell-led East division beat the West division 13-6. The win marks the first time the East division has won, with the West winning the 2023, 2022 and 2019 games.
Mitchell, who was the East division head coach with the Mavs making it to the league finals least season, says he didn’t know the East hadn’t won a game until the eighth inning of the victory. He enjoyed the atmosphere and how the Mavs representatives showcased their abilities.
“I thought our guys represented well,” Mitchell said. “I’ve seen them all year long now so I know what they’re capable of, but on this stage, sometimes guys compress a little bit. But they looked pretty comfortable out there, which I think speaks to their journey and just being ready for moments like this. It was cool that all were able to get in there and be a part of it.”
All six of the Mavs’ eligible to play in the all-star game got a moment to shine, pitchers Jacob Petersheim, Jack Novak and Josh Landry all worked and inning, catcher Nick Thibodeau started the game as designated hitter, infielder Marshall Burke played all nine innings for the East and outfielder Jordan Phillips swung for the fences in the home run derby and started in right field.
“It was crazy the atmosphere, watching the Home Run Derby, being with the guys that we play against every single day,” Thibodeau said. “Just coming together as one team, I loved every single bit of it.”
Phillips had two home runs in the derby, not enough to get out of the first round. Peyton McDowall, a Fort McMurray Giants infielder, won the home run derby with six home runs in the final round.
It was the second time Phillips competed in the derby, having represented the Edmonton Prospects at the game in 2022. He says the experience of the day was different than in 2022 and was happy to get his second all-star win.
“I just couldn’t get the ball elevated enough (in the derby),” Phillips said. “I was hitting too many line drives. Had to get it in the air more, elevate it.”
Phillips did elevate a pitch in the all-star game, with a solo home run in the sixth inning, the lone home run of the game for either team. He also scored after hitting a double in the first inning.
Mavs’ assistant coach Cody Henderson threw to Phillips in the derby and says he had some nerves on the mound.
“Throwing in front of 5,000 people, it’s a little nerve wracking but it’s a fun thing to come out and do and I thought I did all right,” Henderson said. “I wish I could have given a little better showing but it was fun.”
Infielder Tyler Vanneste was originally selected for the game and the home run derby but was unable to participate due to injury, with Landry taking over his spot. Vanneste says the all-star experience met expectations and joked he could have still outperformed his friend and teammate.
“There’s a lot of excitement here and it was kind of a chill game, very nice to come out on top,” Vanneste said.
“I was telling Jordan I could hit more than two home runs on one leg.”
Burke was one of the offensive leaders for the East division, tallying three hits with two runs scored, three stolen bases and a walk.
He played all nine innings in the infield due to a lack of infielders on the East division team. Burke says the all-star game exceeded expectations and he enjoyed the atmosphere at Seaman Stadium.
“You don’t really get to experience something like this that often, the guys you meet, the experience, the atmosphere, it’s something special and something I’ll never forget,” Burke said.
Both Novak and Petersheim gave up a run in their lone innings of work in the all-star game.
“There’s a lot of talent all around this league and it was on display,” Petersheim said.
“The crowd was into it, the fellas, my teammates were all really cool and in good spirits, it was fun,” Novak said.
Landry worked a clean sixth inning, striking out all three batters he faced.
“It was honestly just an honour, I was happy to be able to come out and put on for Med Hat to be honest,” Landry said. “My last two outings were a little shaky and it definitely was not par for what I think I am capable of. So to be able to come out here and perform the way like I know how to, was cool.
“It was just cool to compete with all these guys, you’re playing against the best guys in this league. We just had the best draft year in the history of the league so to come out and play East versus West all-star game, that was a total blast.”
