NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks outfielder Adam Vulcano celebrates his two-run home run in the Mavs' 11-3 loss Sunday at Athletic Park to the Saskatoon Berries.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks in the final weekend of the WCBL regular season.
Less than 24 hours after beating the Saskatoon Berries 11-2 Saturday night, the Mavs’ lost 11-3 Sunday to their soon-to-be first round playoff opponent. Head coach Kevin Mitchell says there isn’t a lot to take from the game. Third baseman Tyler Vanneste says they won’t hang their heads with more important games on the horizon.
“It’s a loss but I don’t think we’re gonna hold our heads too low on it, just move on,” Vanneste said. “It’s the end of the season, the boys are just getting ready for playoffs and look to finish up these last regular season and then get serious. That’s what we’re looking forward to.”
The Mavs threw a rotation of arms Sunday afternoon, with five pitchers getting work before the postseason.
John Walsh started the game, working two innings with three runs against on a three-run blast from the Berries in the second inning. Walsh allowed three hits and a walk with one punch-out.
Braedon Davis worked the third and fourth innings, allowing two runs on three hits for a 5-0 Berries lead after four innings.
Dylan Runge pitched the fifth inning, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits with a walk and Cesar Rodriguez worked a clean sixth inning, recording a strikeout to keep Saskatoon’s lead at 9-0. The Mavs got on the board in the bottom of the sixth, with a two-run home run from outfielder Adam Vulcano. His first WCBL home run made it a 9-2 game.
The Mavs struck again in the seventh inning, on a solo home run from shortstop Blake Dale, his fifth home run on the year making it 9-3.
Max Hudlow pitched the last three innings of the game for the Mavs, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
The Berries outhit the Mavs 14-8 for the 11-3 win. Medicine Hat (33-22) head to Swift Current on Monday to wrap up the regular season before an off day Tuesday sets up Game 1 of the East semifinals at Athletic Park on Wednesday between the Mavs and Berries.
