The Swift Current 18U AAA 57’s saved the best for last during a four-game home stand over the weekend. The 57’s lost the first three games of the weekend, but picked up a shutout win in the finale to move to 5-7 in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League this season.
Saturday, the 57’s dropped both games to the visiting Sask 5 Giants. They lost the opener 7-3 when the Giants scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning.
The game had gotten out to a positive start when catcher Ethan Murdoch hit a two-run home run in the first inning to put the 57’s out ahead. Murdoch finished the game with two hits, a walk, two runs batted in and a run scored.
Kelsey Rokochy and Dawson Schultz also had two-hit outings, including doubles, while leadoff man Cash Arntsen added the other RBI. Rokochy and Connor Choo-Foo also crossed home plate.
Rokochy had a solid start as he allowed four hits, nine walks, and three runs, while striking out five over 4.1 innings. Riley Bowers took the loss after allowing four runs over the final 2.2 innings.
The Giants knocked out 15 hits in game two to defeat the 57’s 21-8. The Giants scored in five of seven innings, including a 12-run seventh inning to close out the win.
The 57’s got a home run from Schultz and doubles from Murdoch, Rokochy, and Bowers in a losing cause. Murdoch finished with two hits, a stolen base, one run scored and two RBIs.
Schultz also walked three times, scored twice, and had three RBIs. Arntsen, Rylan Hildebrand, and Evan Kobley also singled and scored.
Sunday, the 57’s split a double header against the visiting South East Twins. The 57’s dropped the opener 4-3 when they allowed two unanswered runs in the top of the seventh inning.
The 57’s were held to three hits as they scored all three runs in the second inning when Murdoch tripled home Rydell Adair, Arntsen, and Rokochy.
Wyatt Harkes took the loss as he allowed 10 hits and four runs, while striking out three without allowing a walk.
Schultz and Ben Patenaude combined for the seven-inning shutout to lead the 57’s to a 3-0 win in game two.
Schultz only allowed four hits and four walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings to earn the win. Patenaude earned the save after getting the final five outs. The seventh inning was particularly entertaining when the 57’s got the first two outs on one play with a strikeout and a caught stealing at second base. The final out was recorded when Mitch Himmelspach doubled and was thrown out at third base trying to stretch the play into a triple with the tying run standing in the on-deck circle.
The 57’s will visit the East Central Red Sox (6-6) for two games on Thursday. They will also host the Regina Athletics (7-4) for a double header on Sunday at Mitchell Field beginning at 1 p.m.
The 57’s will also host the Regina White Sox (5-8) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
