The Weyburn Beavers, who entered action Saturday afternoon last in the East Division of the Western Canadian Baseball League, entertained the Okotoks Dawgs at Tom Laing Park. Okotoks came into the game in first place overall in the league.
The Beavers, however, looked like the odds-on favourite in the game, as they handily topped the Dawgs 4-2, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
“That’s a really good team over there, and I have the utmost respect for them, but you know, it feels really good to beat them as well,” said Beavers head coach Cam Williams after the game. “Our guys came out ready to go after a doubleheader last night, and I just can’t be more proud of the way they responded.”
The Beavers got off to a strong start, taking an early lead in the second inning when Ryan Dauphinee smashed a single, driving in one run. However, the Dawgs' pitcher, Graham Brunner, showcased his talent by limiting the damage and keeping the Beavers at bay.
The score remained close as the game progressed, with both teams demonstrating exceptional defensive skills. Weyburn's pitcher, Luke Zimmer, delivered a standout performance, tossing 7 1/3 innings of two-hit baseball, striking out seven. His impressive outing kept the Dawgs' offence in check, frustrating their attempts to mount a comeback.
“Zimmer’s a horse,” Williams added. “He’s been really good for us all summer here and the team really rallies around him.”
The Beavers' offence continued to apply pressure, adding to their lead in the fifth and sixth innings. Ryan Muizelaar's double brought home one run, while Jaxson Davis and Jared Hall each contributed with an RBI of their own. The Dawgs' defence struggled at times, committing an error that allowed the Beavers to capitalize and extend their advantage.
The Okotoks Dawgs showed resilience in the eighth inning, finally breaking through against reliever Jacob Clark. Elijah Hammill stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run homer, injecting a surge of energy into the Dawgs' dugout. Unfortunately for Okotoks, their late rally wasn't enough to overcome the Beavers' lead.
Both teams demonstrated their offensive prowess, tallying a combined 17 hits throughout the game. However, it was the Beavers who showcased more consistency and capitalized on their opportunities, ultimately securing the victory.
Zimmer earned the win for Weyburn with his impressive performance on the mound, while Brunner took the loss for the Dawgs despite his solid outing. Jamin Smith came in for the Beavers in the final inning, shutting down any hopes of a late Dawgs' comeback and earning himself a well-deserved save.
The game Saturday also saw the return to the lineup of 2022 Beavers standout Brayden Mayencourt. Mayencourt, who made league history by playing all nine positions in the final game of the season last year, would go 0-for-5 at the plate but was stellar at second base. He would make a diving catch late in the game that helped to preserve the lead for the Beavers.
“I know the guys from last year really look up to him, and he plays the game really hard and that stuff, you can’t teach,” Williams said of having Mayencourt back in the lineup, adding it is an emotional boost to have him back in the fold.
Weyburn will look to make it two wins in a row over the top team in the league Sunday afternoon as the two teams meet again at Tom Laing Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.