It was a busy weekend on area ball diamonds with tournaments in Humboldt and Muenster.
The East Central 15U AAA Dodgers started their weekend with a close pair of losses to a resilient Saskatoon Astros squad. Strong pitching was the keystone in game 1 on Friday during the home tournament in Muenster. Astros’ Mitchell Rauckman took command of the mound for 7 innings allowing three hits and striking out nine. Brady Solar stood toe to toe with Rauckman for 4 and a third innings before retiring for relief from Dexter Rohel and Colton Vedress. Saskatoon managed single runs in innings 4, 5 and 6. The Dodgers countered with a pair in the 5th, just short of a much-needed tying run to keep the game going.
Despite an early lead in game 2 on Friday, the Dodgers watched the Astros light up explosive 3rd and 4th innings to launch themselves to victory. The Dodgers made it a match in the bottom of the 4th with four runs, but again came up just short in the rally attempt. The Astros secured a 9-5 win.
It was a different matter on Saturday when the Dodgers took firm command over both games against the Yorkton Cardinals. Cade Britz led the way at the plate for the Dodgers in game one going 4 for 4 in the 14-2 win. The Dodgers put up five runs in the 6th inning with Dexter Rohel, Britz, Jarret Rude and Dayne Schommer all driving in runs.
In game 2, Schommer delivered nothing short of mastery on the mound, pitching an entire game shutout and leading the Dodgers to a 15-0 win. This time it was a six-run 6th inning that settled things in the matchup. Rude, Schommer, Rohel and Britz were up to the task at the plate along with solid batting performances from Blake Morelli and Colton Vedress.
Elsewhere this weekend, the East Central 18U AAA Red Sox fell to the Saskatoon Cubs 11-1 in their Friday matchup in Saskatoon. The AAA squad will next see action at the Canada Day double header in Muenster.
The Muenster Red Sox dropped both games in their double header against the Regina White Sox. They’re back at it on July 9 against North Battleford.