Mavs force Game 3 with shutout win Thursday to take Game 2

By James Tubb on August 8, 2024.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Mavericks start inning pitcher Josh Landry celebrates an inning-ending strikeout in the Mavs’ 3-0 Game 2 win Thursday at Saskatoon over the Berries.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks have sent the East division semifinals back to Alberta.

The Mavs shut-out the Saskatoon Berries 3-0 Thursday night, winning Game 2 of the best-of-three series on the road to force a decisive Game 3 Friday back at Medicine Hat.

Starting pitcher Josh Landry worked eight shutout  innings, allowing just five hits with 12 punch-outs to record the win. He was all smiles after the start and he says he was just trying to replicate the success he had in his last start.

“I still had the feel, fell asleep envisioning the same mechanics,” Landry said. “I woke up, seeing the same visions, being on top of the change up, change ups low in the zone, breakers down in the zone, fastballs inside, being able to go upstairs with it, everything was clicking,” Landry said. “(Jaden) Babiuk did a fantastic job behind the plate, stealing strikes all game long, balls and dirt. He was showing up and then he comes up big with that two RBI single up the middle. So he had a great game as well.

“It was nice to be able to come out here, get the dub and be up on top. Take this back to Med Hat, series tied and we’re riding the high of this win.”

The Mavs dropped Game 1 6-4 on Wednesday, forcing the must-win Thursday. They got on the board first and held onto the lead. With the bases loaded in the second, shortstop Johnny Vulcano brought in a run with a fielders choice, making it a 1-0 lead.

The Mavs jumped ahead 3-0 on a two-run single from Babiuk in the fourth. The St. Albert product fought through six pitches before he knocked the single for the two-run tally.

Babiuk says he was just trying to grind out the at bat with two outs.

“I’m not putting them out of the yard very often, but I was just glad that I could help the squad out, give us a little insurance,” Babiuk said.

Landry worked out of jams to keep the Berries at bay. With the bases loaded and nobody out in the third, he struck out two batters and induced a fly out to preserve the lead.

After eight shutout innings from the tall lefty, Cesar Rodriguez took over in the ninth, striking out all three batters he faced for the save and the series-tying win.

Saskatoon outhit the Mavs 5-4 but couldn’t scrape across any runs.

The series turns back to Medicine Hat, with the decisive Game 3 Friday at Athletic Park. Tickets are available on the Mavs website, first pitch at 7:05 p.m.