The Moose Jaw Miller Express were swept in a three-game set over the weekend, taking two losses against the Lethbridge Bulls and one to the Saskatoon Berries.
The Berries made a late charge on Friday night at Ross Wells Park to pick up a 12–8 win over the Miller Express.
Saskatoon opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first, but Moose Jaw tied it in the bottom half of the inning with an Austin Gurney single that drove in William Edwards.
Former Miller Express player Nathan Houston hit a two-run home run in the top of the third to give Saskatoon a 3–1 lead. Moose Jaw replied in the bottom of the third with another Gurney single to score Thomas Soto.
The Berries scored once in the top of the fourth and twice in the fifth to go up 6–2. However, Moose Jaw responded with six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. Edwards hit a double to drive in Thomas Soto, Evan Deringer and Ben Waliczek. Edwards then scored on an error by the second baseman following a Gurney single. Eduardo Saenz capped the inning with a two-run homer.
Saskatoon answered with six unanswered runs to finish the game and secure a 12–8 win.
Bulls 7, Miller Express 5
Moose Jaw opened a two-game set against the Lethbridge Bulls on Saturday night at Ross Wells Park with a 7–5 loss.
The Miller Express opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Saenz singled to score Thomas Soto, and Jackson Yeager followed with a single to bring in Saenz for a 2–0 lead.
Lethbridge responded with three runs in the second, two in the third, and added single runs in the seventh and ninth innings to take a 7–2 lead.
Moose Jaw mounted a late comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Edwards hit a three-run home run to pull the Miller Express within two, but 7–5 would be as close as they would get.
Bulls 15, Miller Express 14
Lethbridge completed the two-game sweep on Sunday at Ross Wells Park in a high-scoring affair, winning 15–14.
The Bulls jumped out to a 3–0 lead after two innings. Moose Jaw took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the third. Edwards singled to drive in Soto and Waliczek. Gustavo Soto then singled to bring Edwards home, and Yeager hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Tanner DeGrazia off an error by the second baseman.
Lethbridge added five runs in the top of the fourth and four more in the sixth to go ahead 12–4.
Moose Jaw got back into the game with a seven-run bottom of the sixth. Thomas Soto hit a sacrifice groundout to bring in Andrew Niaves. Saenz drew a walk to score Jackson Martin. Gustavo Soto singled to bring in Waliczek, and Yeager launched a grand slam to make it 12–11.
The Bulls tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh to lead 15–11. DeGrazia singled in the bottom half to score Soto for Moose Jaw’s only run in the inning.
The Miller Express scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to get within one. Waliczek hit a sacrifice groundout to score Yeager, and Soto singled to bring in Niaves. However, both teams were held scoreless in the ninth as Lethbridge held on for the 15–14 win.
Despite the three straight losses, the Miller Express remain in fourth place in the East Division, two and a half games back of Regina for third and 13.5 games behind the first-place Saskatoon Berries.
Moose Jaw is back in action tonight as they travel to Saskatoon to face the Berries.