Written by Jay D Haughton Friday, Jul 28
One night after clinching the Western Canadian Baseball League’s East Division, the Moose Jaw Miller Express found themselves on the wrong end of an 8-7 loss to the Swift Current 57s on Thursday night.
Swift Current would battle back after trailing 5-1 and score seven runs in the final three innings to come away with their 17th win of the season.
Moose Jaw will drop to 32-16 but remain with a comfortable nine-game lead over the second-place Medicine Hat Mavericks in the east division standings.
Luke LaChance was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night, scoring two runs in the loss. Austin Gurney picked up his fifth home run of the season, along with two RBIs and two hits. Greyson Barrett and Bobby Pokorney also had two hits apiece.
Haldon Craig would suffer the loss on the mound pitching 1.1 innings allowing a run on one hit and had two strikeouts.
Swift Current would strike first in the top of the first inning after Justin Barnes would hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Cory Bonstrom from third base to make it 1-0.
Moose Jaw quickly tied the game at 1-1 in their half, with Greyson Barrett picking up a single to drive in Austin Gurney from second base.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Miller Express would take the lead after a three-run inning.
With two runners on base, Bobby Pokorney would hit a single to drive home Chaz Poppy and it was 2-1.
Two batters later, Luke LaChance would cross the plate, after Dawson Tweet hit an RBI single. Nate Mensik would score Thomas Soto after a sacrifice fly to put Moose Jaw in front 4-1.
Moose Jaw extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Austin Gurney’s fifth home run of the season to deep right field and it was now 5-1.
Swift Current would start their comeback in the top of the seventh inning. Andrew Barger came into the game in relief of starter Gabe Soto. Barger would find himself in a bases-loaded situation, after giving up a pair of walks and a single. Barger settled down and got two quick outs, but a wild pitch scored Casey Prychak from third to cut the deficit to 5-2.
The 57s rallied back in the top of the eighth inning and scored five runs – all with two outs to take a 7-5 lead.
Moose Jaw tied the game in their half of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Nate Mensik picked up a walk to score Chaz Poppy, and then Austin Gurney would be hit by a pitch to allow Luke LaChance to score, and the game was tied 7-7.
Swift Current would score the eventual game-winning run in the top of the ninth after a ball got by catcher Julio Acosta, allowing Kelton Saylor to score from second base to take the 8-7 lead.
Luke Lachance would get into scoring position in the bottom of the ninth but was stranded after Wyatt Tweet would strike out to end the game.
Moose Jaw will look for revenge on Friday night, as they will travel to Swift Current and take on the 57s, starting at 7:05 p.m.