By Randy Palmer
Moose Jaw aims to keep impressive playoff run going against Okotoks after returning to WCBL Final for second time in last three years
If you told anyone outside of the Moose Jaw Miller Express organization two weeks ago that the Western Canadian Baseball League squad would reach the league final, you undoubtedly would have received some quizzical looks.
The Express had posted a 26-29 mark in the regular season and won only three of their last 10 contests, finishing 11 ½ games back of the first-place Regina Red Sox and losing a season-ending race with the Saskatoon Berries for third place in the East Division.
Fast forward exactly nine days, and Moose Jaw has series wins over both of those teams, an East Division title under their belt and are off to Okotoks to face the Dawgs for the WCBL championship for the second time in the last three years.
The difference?
While onlookers might have had doubts, the Miller Express had none. And with their winning pedigree over the previous two seasons, it was just a matter of things coming together at the right time — something that’s happened and then some throughout their playoff streak.
“It’s been an exciting run,” said Miller Express head coach Eric Marriott as the team prepared to board the bus on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve had some ups and downs and it’s been a little bumpy at times, but we’ve had some pieces come in and do their part, then our veterans stepped up and our leaders were big-time down the stretch. We’ve really hit our stride in the playoffs and it’s great to be back in the final.”
Express third-year veteran Austin Gurney was of much of the same opinion, especially when it came to the confidence that they could get things done when it mattered the most.
“It’s been good, it’s been nice to see this level of compete out of us for sure,” the Campbell River, B.C. product said. “We know we’ve had it all season long, but every team goes through some struggles during the season. All you have to do is get your foot in the door for the playoffs and then it’s really anybody’s ball game from there.”
While the Express would naturally liked to have seen a better regular season record, Marriott pointed to the overall parity of the league this season as a factor in their middle-of-the-road showing. The key was always going to be putting their best foot forward when the games mattered most, something Marriott was always confident would happen given the success the vast majority of players bring to the team.
“That’s super important,” Marriott said. “We have guys from Doane and Keystone and Mitchell College and those guys are conference winners every year. That carries over into our season, and when the wins start to matter, when the season is on the line, they don’t let the situation get too big. It’s shown over the last few days and it’s a big reason why we are where we are.”
The Express opened the playoffs with 4-3 and 7-6 wins over Regina to sweep their semifinal series before losing their first game of the playoffs 14-1 to Saskatoon in Game 1 of the East Final. They rebounded in style back home with a 17-6 win in Game 2 and finished things off Tuesday night with a 5-3 win in Game 3.
As one might expect, that’s all led to an exceptional frame of mind for the local squad as they prepare for their toughest challenge of the season beginning Thursday night in Okotoks.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” Gurney said. “Everyone is inspiring each other in the dugout and right now we’re at the point we can do anything, that’s the common feeling throughout the team right now… There are a lot of older guys and younger guys who are taking it all into perspective and I think we’ve become a great group overall.”
Now, it’s on to face the Dawgs.
Okotoks are two-time defending champions and finished second in the West with a 42-14 record. They defeated Lethbridge in three games in the opening round and then upset Sylvan Lake in the West Final with another three-game series win.
The Express will be taking the field in definitive hostile territory, with over 5,000 fans expected to pack Seaman Stadium for Game 1.
That’s all just part of the challenge, says Marriott, and he hopes his charges will feed off the energy.
“It’s always fun going there, they’re well coached and they’re hard-nosed against us,” he said. “We expect to be able to punch right back against them, and hopefully we can get a win and bring it back here with a chance to win it all.”
Should that happen, expect Ross Wells Park to be a zoo on Friday night, much like it was when the teams faced off in 2022.
“I expect it to be packed, the crowds have been great all year and in the playoffs they’ve been outstanding and I hope the whole city of Moose Jaw shows up to cheer us on Friday night,” Marriott said.
The perspective from the players is no different.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Gurney said. “Two years ago when we played Okotoks in the finals, it was awesome and absolutely packed here at Ross Wells. We’re looking forward to that atmosphere again and bringing a championship home here to Moose Jaw.”
First pitch on Friday night is 7:05 p.m.