Mavs blow four-run lead in Saskatoon, lose in extra innings

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 13, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The Medicine Hat Mavericks’s second Saskatchewan road trip of the season has some sour notes.

The Mavs lost the first two games against Saskatoon, losing 7-1 to the Berries on Tuesday before falling 5-4 in the 11th inning Wednesday at the Nex Gen Patch at Cairns Field in Saskatoon. With the loss, Saskatoon passes the Mavericks for sole possession of first place in the WCBL and the East division.

The Mavs seemed destined for a split in their two-game set against the Berries, putting together a four-run lead through six and a half innings.

First baseman Evan Morrison led off the fourth inning on an error by the Berries’ first baseman. He advanced to second on a single from Aaron Volcano and a batter later, scored on an RBI double from catcher Jaden Babiuk for the 1-0 lead through four innings.

Aaron Vulcano got on base to start the sixth inning with a single, moving to second on a groundout off the bat of Blake Dale before reaching third on a single from Babiuk. Vulcano crossed home on a sacrifice fly to left field from outfielder Micah Dvorak.

The Mavs doubled up their lead in the top of the seventh inning, scoring a pair to lead 4-0 heading into the bottom of the frame.

Yusei Uzawa walked on four straight pitches to start the inning, moving to second on a single from Tyler Vanneste. Uzawa scored on an RBI single from Carter Roth who later scored himself, scoring on an RBI double from Aaron Vulcano for the 4-0 lead.

The Mavs had two pitchers split duties through the first seven innings of the game. Tyler Spruiell started the game and went three hitless innings, allowing two walks while recording four strikeouts.

Luis Diaz took over to start the fourth, holding Saskatoon to one hit through three innings before the Berries’ bats came alive in the seventh. Saskatoon strung together a pair of hits, scoring a run to make it a 4-1 Medicine Hat lead. Diaz started the eighth inning and he surrendered three straight singles, loading the bases with closer A.J. Doll taking over on the mound.

Ethan Menard roped a double to the outfield to bring the Berries within one and they tied the game up later in the frame, with the tying run scoring on a wild pitch to make it a 4-4 game heading to the ninth inning.

Diaz’s pitching line finished at four innings tossed, allowing four runs on six hits with two strikeouts.

Neither team recorded a hit in the ninth inning, sending the game off to extra innings with the automatic runner starting on second base.

Medicine Hat went three up, three down in the 10th inning and Doll, working his third inning, stranded a bases loaded scenario by the Berries to keep it a 4-4 tie and send the game to the 11th inning.

The Mavs again couldn’t score the automatic runner in the 11th, setting Saskatoon up to record a ninth win.

Luke Barrientos took over on the mound for Medicine Hat to start the final frame. Saskatoon’s leadoff hitter, Jalen Freeman, was looking for the sacrifice bunt to move the automatic runner to third base. He laid a bunt down the third base line, which was fielded by Barrientos who overthrew first base, allowing the winning run to score.

The Mavs outhit Saskatoon 9-4, committing the lone error to the Berries’ four.

Medicine Hat (9-4) finished up on the road on Thursday at Swift Current against the 57s in a game that was not complete by press time. They’re back at Athletic Park tonight taking on the Okotoks Dawgs, the second meeting of the year following the Mavs beating the defending champions 12-11 on opening day, May 28.

The Mavs will return to the road on Saturday and Sunday, taking on the Regina Red Sox. Their next home game after that is Tuesday, June 17 against the Brooks Bombers.

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