Mavs drop slugfest in walkoff fashion Thursday

By James Tubb on June 5, 2025.

Medicine Hat News

A marathon contest Thursday night in Moose Jaw saw the Medicine Hat Mavericks on the wrong side of a walkoff win.

The Mavs and Miller Express traded runs all night long as Moose Jaw won 11-10 in walkoff fashion at Ross Wells Park. Medicine Hat came into the contest off a 9-6, 10th inning win Wednesday on the road over the Regina Red Sox.

All but two of the 21 runs in the contest came in the first three innings of the game.

The Mavs opened the scoring from the get-go, scoring twice in the first inning for a quick 2-0 lead. Third baseman Tyler Vanneste belted a solo home run, his second long ball of the season. Three batters later, designated hitter Carter Roth scored on a wild pitch for the 2-0 advantage.

Moose Jaw responded in the bottom of the frame, scoring four runs on four hits to lead 4-2. They added three more runs to their tally in the second inning to lead 7-2 after two innings.

The Mavs were inspired by the score, putting up seven runs in the top of the third to briefly lead 9-7.

Shortstop Johnny Vulcano brought in a run with an RBI single and scored three batters later on an RBI single from first baseman Evan Morrison. Outfielder Aaron Vulcano knocked in a run with a fielders choice groundout. He stole second base and then scored on a double from Blake Dale that drove in two runs to make it a 7-7.

They grabbed the 9-7 lead on two-run home run from Micah Dvorak, his second of the WCBL season.

Moose Jaw, responding for a second time in the game, scored three runs in the bottom of the third to lead 10-9.

On the mound, Zack Hlinsky started the game and was lifted in the second inning. He struck out two batters, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks in 1.1 innings pitched. Garrick Leveque took over on the bump and threw 1.2 frames, allowing three unearned runs on three hits, one walk with one strikeout.

Jesse Alfaro started the fourth inning for the Mavs and worked three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, recording five strikeouts. Luke Barrientos was charged with the loss, pitching 2.1 innings into the ninth, allowing the walkoff run as well as two hits, two walks while striking out three batters.

Before then, the Mavs tied the game up at 10-10 in the sixth inning with a bases-loaded walk from Aaron Vulcano. They pushed for a lead in the inning, with a one out, drive to centre field off the bat of catcher Jamel Chabot.

Moose Jaw’s centre fielder caught the ball and threw it home, getting Roth out on a bang-bang play at home plate to end the inning. Mavs’ had coach Jonathon Thornhill came out fo the dugout to question the call and before a discussion could occur, he was quickly ejected by home plate umpire Shawn Wheatherall.

The Mavs had a chance for the lead in the night inning with runners on first and second base and one out, unable to capitalize. They left nine runners on base in the loss.

Moose Jaw made good on their chances in the ninth, with a leadoff walk by Adrian Vivo being sacrifice bunted to second base. Ben Waliczek pinch ran for the Millers and on a single, moved up to third base. An intentional walk put Austin Gurney on base. Two pitches later, with the bases loaded, one out and the Mavs’ infield in looking for the double play, Jackson Yeager pelted a ball up the middle to drive in the winning run.

Both teams had 14 hits in the Millers’ 11-10 walkoff win, Medicine Hat was charged with four errors in the loss.

The Mavs (6-2) are back in Medicne Hat on Friday, hosting the Brooks Bombers at Athletic Park for the first of a three-game home stand. They’ll host the Weyburn Beavers on Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s game gets underway at 7:05 p.m.

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