The Weyburn Beavers kept the chances of a playoff berth alive with a 9-2 win over the Swift Current 57s on Thursday night at Tom Laing Park. The victory came about thanks in part to a strong outing from starting pitcher Ethan Webster and a two-homer performance by outfielder Noah Brooks.
After the game, Beavers head coach Cam Williams said the team is turning a corner heading into the final stretch.
"It's a pretty good stretch of baseball we've been playing the last week, week and a half here, so it's been really good to see," Williams said. "Starting pitching has been awesome."
That stellar starting pitching was on full display as Ethan Webster had a nearly flawless start on the mound. He pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only a single hit – a blooper in the second inning – and one walk while striking out 11 batters to secure the win.
"Really just filling up the zone, attacking the hitters, letting my ball run, letting the pitches work, and really giving our offence a chance by getting back in the dugout quickly," Webster said of his performance.
The Beavers' offence provided plenty of support, erupting for nine runs. Noah Brooks was the main catalyst, hitting a solo home run in the third inning and adding a two-run shot in the fourth. He finished the night with three runs batted in.
"I think our offence kind of finally started to click today," Brooks commented. "That's our second time seeing that starter now. Took what we learned from last game and brought it into this game and really attacked them right off the bat, and we're rolling from there."
The offensive attack was a team effort. Ryan Muizelaar contributed with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Braden Mayencourt and Luke Malzewski each drove in two runs.
"It was just a really good overall complete win," said Williams.
The Beavers and 57s will play again in Swift Current on Friday night, marking their fourth meeting in three days before the all-star break.
"We expect it to be a fight, and obviously it's at their place, and they'll be ready to respond," Williams stated.
Following the game, the focus will shift to the WCBL All-Star Game. Noah Brooks will be representing the Beavers on the East team, his second consecutive all-star selection, though his first for the East after playing for the West last season.
"It's always a fun experience playing in front of lots of fans," Brooks said. "It'll be a fun day all around."
The other representatives from Weyburn at the All-Star Game will be Ryan Dauphinee, Logan Kinter, Ian Heck, and Joe Hart. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday in Okotoks.