By James Tubb on July 26, 2024.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks couldn’t comeback from a first inning, six-run deficit Friday. The Mavs allowed six runs in the opening frame to the Weyburn Beavers and pushed for a comeback, ultimately falling 7-6. They came into the contest off a 4-3, 11th inning loss Thursday to Weyburn. Mavs’ outfielder Jordan Phillips started the game on the mound. Phillips threw one inning this season, a three-strikeout relief outing in the Mavs’ 25-6 win over the Edmonton Prospects on July 11. Weyburn jumped out early on Phillips, recording two runs on three hits and two walks. Braedon Davis took over on the mound and the Beavers kept their foot on the pedal, scoring four runs on three hits for the early 6-0 lead. Medicine Hat worked to chip away at the early lead throughout the contest. Centre fielder Brody Gardner plated a run with an RBI single in the top of the third inning. They scored two more runs, pushing across a pair in the fifth with an RBI double from catcher Nick Thibodeau and an RBI single from left fielder Michael Quick. The Beavers scored in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it a 7-3 lead. Medicine Hat added a pair of runs in the top of the eighth for the 7-5 score. First baseman Evan Morrison plated a run with an RBI single and five pitches later, right fielder Micah Dvorak scored on a wild pitch. The Mavs had runners on first and second with nobody out but couldn’t scratch across another tally. Evan Gant took over on the mound for Davis to start the seventh inning, working into the eighth before Cesar Rodriguez took over with runners on the corners and one out. Rodriguez induced a strikeout and a pop out to give the Mavs a chance at a two-run comeback in the ninth. Medicine Hat wasn’t able to complete the comeback, going three-up, three-down to drop a second straight game against Weyburn. Gant’s night finished with the lone run allowed on four hits with four strikeouts. Weyburn outhit the Mavs 13-12 and also committed two errors defensively. Medicine Hat had a clean defensive effort on the night. The Mavs (27-20) head to Brooks on Saturday to face the Bombers before they host the Swift Current 57’s on Sunday at Athletic Park. 15