NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks outfielder Jordan Phillips squares up a pitch for a two-run home run in the third inning of the Mavs' 5-3 win Sunday at Athletic Park over the Swift Current 57's.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks wrapped up Stampede week in fashion.
The Mavs beat the Swift Current 57’s 5-3 Sunday afternoon at Athletic Park. It’s a second straight victory for the Mavs after topping the Brooks Bombers 18-6 on the road Saturday.
The Mavs led 5-0 after seven innings Sunday, allowing the three runs in the last two frames before holding on for the win. Head coach Kevin Mitchell credited his pitching in the win and he says as a team they need to keep the foot on the pedal more.
“Jacob Petersheim pitched beautifully today, he was great,” Mitchell said. “We had a couple of good swings to give us an early lead and then kind of coasted until it got a little interesting in the ninth.
“A win is a win, I’m happy that we came out on top today. I know the guys are (tired), it’s the end of a long week and we’re towards the end of the season. We just had to remind them afterwards that you can never get too comfortable.”
Petersheim worked six scoreless innings for the quality start, striking out five batters while allowing just four hits and a walk. As he shoved on the mound, the Mavs offence got to work in the third inning.
Second baseman Marshall Burke hit a one-out single to centre field and score one pitch later, on a two-run home run off the bat of right fielder Jordan Phillips. His ninth home run of the season was quickly followed up by a solo shot from centre fielder Brody Gardner. His fourth long ball of the season gave the Mavs a 3-0 lead.
They added to the lead in the fourth and sixth inning. Burke hit a two-strike RBI single up the middle to score catcher Jordan Babiuk from second in the fourth inning. Burke notched a second RBI on the afternoon, with a sacrifice fly to centre field in the sixth inning.
Jack Novak took over on the mound for the Mavs to start the seventh inning. He worked the final three frames of the game, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with a walk and two punch-outs.
Swift Current got on the board in the eighth inning with a solo home run by Jose Ayala, his 11th on the season. They made it a close game in the ninth.
A lead off walk moved to third base on a single and an error. They loaded the bases on a bunt that led to a wide throw from Babiuk to Nick Thibodeau, pulling him off the bag to load the bases. Swift Current scored on a right to right field and added another tally with a fielders choice hit in the infield.
With the Mavs lead cut to 5-3 and runner on second and third, they recorded the second out by catching a runner at home on a wild pitch. Novak struck out the last batter of the game to preserve the lead.
The Mavs (29-20) have an off day Monday before they begin a seven-game stretch to finish the regular season. They head to Swift Current for a two-game set against the 57’s on Tuesday and Wednesday.
