The Weyburn Beavers dropped a close one Thursday night at Tom Laing Park, falling 8–6 to the Fort McMurray Giants. Despite an early lead and a strong start from pitcher Owen McConnell, the Giants rallied back to get their first win of the season.
Weyburn wasted no time jumping ahead, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first. But the bats went cold after that, managing just one more run the rest of the way, and no more hits. Fort McMurray chipped away at the deficit, tying the game in the seventh and pulling ahead for good in the final two innings.
Beavers head coach Cam Williams pointed to missed opportunities and late-inning struggles on the mound.
“A really tight one, obviously,” said Williams. “Them coming back late… it sucks to lose one, especially when you have a lead through the first half of the ballgame. Owen gave us a really great start, and we just couldn't hold it for him.”
McConnell, making his first start of the season, tossed five strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out three.
“Overall, pretty happy with the result,” said McConnell. “I think I could have done a bit of a better job at limiting that run that crossed in the first inning. But yeah, just mixing pitches, I think I did a good job of keeping them off balance tonight.”
Fort McMurray’s Matt Rhoades led the charge offensively, going 4-for-5 with a double and 3 RBI. Camden Sanders added a solo home run in the eighth. Weyburn’s offence was more limited, with just five hits on the night. Briggham Kokotailo, making his debut for the Beavers, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first.
“He’s a really raw kid. He’s really strong,” said Williams of Kokotailo. “I think as he gets comfortable and gets timing back, he’s gonna be a really good add for us.”
Weyburn reliever Logan Kinter took the loss, surrendering the go-ahead run in the eighth and two more in the ninth. The Beavers’ bullpen combined to allow seven runs over the final four innings.
The Beavers (2–4) are back in action Friday night, as they host the Giants for the second game of the set. The first pitch at Tom Laing Park is at 7:05 p.m.