CANORA - July 15 saw the Canora Supers host their fifth consecutive Game 1 of the SESBL final series. Unfortunately, a fifth consecutive league championship victory was not in the cards.
Game 1
The opponent was the Parkland Pirates, and the series started well for the home team with a 4-2 Supers victory in only 1 hour and 26 minutes.
All four of the Supers runs were on solo home runs. The power was provided by: Kholton Shewchuk, Derek Palagian, Tyrel Thorpe and Kody Rock.
“Other than the home runs, the offence only had three other singles by Ian Quewezance, Jordan Auger and Thorpe,” said Greg Andreychuk, Supers player/manager.
Kody Rock once again was given the ball and tossed a complete game three hitter, allowing just two runs with nine strikeouts to get the win.
“It was a quick, well played, well-pitched game in front of a large crowd on a beautiful night. Thanks to all the fans for the continued support,” said Andreychuk.
Canora took a 1-0 series lead into Yorkton for Game 2 on July 18.
“Unfortunately, the Supers were snakebitten the rest of the series as the Parkland Pirates won the next three games to win the best of five final three games to one,” said Andreychuk.
Game 2
The Supers looked to put a stranglehold on the series by sending Kholton Shewchuk to the mound for Game 2 and he did not disappoint, allowing just two runs in six innings. However Evan McCubbing of the Pirates brought his top game to the pitching mound, limiting the Supers to no runs on just six hits in a 2-0 Pirates win to even the series at one win apiece.
The Canora offence made plenty of hard contact, but the ball seemingly found Pirate gloves more often than not.
“The bases were left loaded in the top of the seventh inning with the heart of the Supers order up to bat, but just could not convert in the clutch,” said Andreychuk.
Game 3
The pivotal Game 3 was back in Canora the next evening. The Pirates came out swinging in the top of the first, scoring three runs.
“Unfortunately, the Supers defense had a chance to limit the damage to a single run, but came out flat,” said Andreychuk. “The Pirates would score another in each of the second and third innings, but the Canora offence could not capitalize on enough opportunities in a 5-3 loss.”
Kody Rock started on just three days rest and pitched well, allowing just three earned runs with nine strikeouts, but unfortunately took the loss. Pirates starter Carter Phythian pitched a complete game and earned the win despite zero strikeouts, allowing his defence to play an error-free game.
“It was once again a game of missed opportunities for the Supers, as they loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh,” said Andreychuk. “Unfortunately two flyouts ended the game.”
Game 4
The Supers faced elimination in Game 4 in Yorkton on July 22 and came out swinging, getting off to a 3-0 lead by getting multiple hits and taking advantage some rare Pirates fielding blunders in the top of the third.
“Unfortunately the Pirates tied the game in the bottom of the inning after taking advantage of back-to-back walks followed by several singles,” said Andreychuk. “The Supers once again took the lead in the top of the fourth by scoring two runs, but the Pirates responded with three of their own to take a 6-5 lead. Unfortunately the offence could not get anything else going the rest of the way and fell 8-5, clinching the SESBL championship for the Pirates.”
Shewchuk, Derek Palagian, and Rock combined in the pitching effort, with Palagian taking the loss. McCubbing once again threw a well-pitched complete game for the series-clinching win.
Season review
Andreychuk said the 2024 SESBL season was a frustrating one, due to a number of causes.
“Plenty of games were postponed due to rain, cold, lack of player commitment (by the opposition), and teams unwilling to reschedule games for various reasons throughout the year, causing very few games to be played in the regular season. With the league down to four teams, if no new teams are added, and if current teams can't get their numbers in order than there could be a hiatus for senior ball in the area.”
The Canora Supers roster is aging, and a stronger level of commitment is needed to ensure future success, according to Andreychuk.
“The younger generation’s level of commitment needs improvement. Without enough new blood to replenish the roster year by year, senior baseball will eventually cease to exist. We hope to continually add new pieces to the puzzle year-by-year going forward like we always have.”
Even thought the Supers drive for five straight championships came up just short, there was still a lot of hard work behind the scenes to put an exciting product on the diamond.
“Once again we would like to thank everyone involved in the 2024 season, from the players, friends, family, Town of Canora, umpires, PA Announcer Mike Spelay and the fans for the tremendous support,” said Andreychuk. “We hope to be back in 2025 with a stable league to play in.”
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