The Moose Jaw Miller Express are one win away from pulling off a major upset in the Western Canadian Baseball League playoffs.
The Miller Express defeated the No. 1-ranked Saskatoon Berries 6–4 on Wednesday night in Saskatoon in Game 1 of the best-of-three East Division semifinal. Saskatoon finished the regular season with a league-record 46 wins.
Moose Jaw opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, with Austin Gurney hitting a single to right field to score Thomas Soto. Saskatoon responded in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game 1–1.
The Miller Express regained the lead in the top of the second with three runs. Soto singled to centre field to drive home Robert Estrada and Pacey Phillips. Gurney then singled to centre to bring Soto home.
Phillips added to the lead in the top of the third with a single that scored Estrada, making it 5–1. Saskatoon replied with two runs in the bottom of the third.
Moose Jaw tacked on another run in the sixth, as Phillips scored on a sacrifice fly from William Edwards. Saskatoon answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but both teams went scoreless in the eighth and ninth as Moose Jaw secured the 6–4 win.
Westin Walls got the start on the mound for the Miller Express. He went six and one-third innings, allowing seven hits, four runs and striking out four. Nathan Pisio came on in relief, and Ethan Merk recorded the save.
The Miller Express now have a chance to close out the series tonight at Ross Wells Park. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.