CANORA - The Canora Supers clinched their fourth consecutive Southeast Senior Baseball League championship with a 3-1 series win over the Parkland Pirates. It was a hard fought series with each game battled until the end.
The Supers overcame a variety of challenges during the two rounds of the playoffs, including four games decided by two runs or less, a game that featured a total of 38 runs scored, and a 14-inning game that took a total of four days to decide
Game 1
Game one of the SESBL finals on July 20 in Canora went according to plan according to Greg Andreychuk, player/coach for the Supers.
“Ace pitcher Kody Rock brought his best arsenal of pitches to the table and the offence was able to capitalize on a few mistakes while the defense played a clean game in a 3-1 Supers win,” said Andreychuk.
“The start of the game did not look great as Pirates leadoff man Evan McCubbing hit a well- placed triple into the right field corner, followed by a run-scoring single by Carter Phythian. After that Kody Rock simply shut the Pirates down by not allowing another hit with 12 strikeouts and just one walk to keep the game under control."
After going scoreless for the first two innings, the Supers offence was kickstarted by Travis Mentanko in the bottom of the third with a solo home run to right center to tie the game. The Supers then scored two more in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.
“This was all that was needed on this night as the defense made all of the plays,” said Andreychuk. “Kholton Shewchuk had a leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth as the Supers only had four hits on the evening.”
Game 2
The Supers took a 1-0 series lead into game two in Yorkton on July 24. Kody Rock once again got the start on the mound.
“He simply dominated the Pirates by allowing just three hits and no runs, with 12 strikeouts to pick up another win,” said Andreychuk.
Pirates pitcher Jordan Bieber also pitched well on this night, but the Supers managed their only run of the game in the top of the fifth as Rock doubled home Shae Peterson for a 1-0 lead, which was also the final score.
The Supers offence mustered up seven hits, but they were scattered enough to not mount much of a threat. Rock had three hits including two doubles. Derek Palagian had a double and single. Riley Stewart and Clay Sleeva each chipped in with one single.
Game 3
Possibly the biggest baseball crowd in the last 25 years in Canora showed up on July 26 to witness the Supers try to clinch the championship.
“The atmosphere was electric as the Supers rallied back from a big deficit to take a three-run lead at one point,” said Andreychuk. But the Pirates kept chipping away and eventually scored in the top of the seventh to come out on top 9-8.”
The Pirates stormed out to an early 5-0 lead with the momentum clearly in their favour. But in the bottom of the fourth the Supers mounted a furious rally with seven runs, highlighted by back- to-back home runs by Kody Rock and Travis Mentanko.
“Unfortunately the Pirates tied it in the fifth and scored the winning run in the seventh to earn the victory,” said Andreychuk.
Pitching duties were split between Kholton Shewchuk, Derek Palagian and Rock. Shewchuk pitched the first three innings but unfortunately suffered a game-ending injury running out a ground ball in the bottom of the third. He gave up six hits, three earned runs and had five strikeouts. Palagian threw the fourth and fifth surrendering four hits and three earned runs.
“Rock pitched the final two innings allowing three hits and one earned run with two strikeouts,” said Andreychuk. “Unfortunately he suffered the loss as the offence could not generate anything late.”
Shae Peterson, Clay Sleeva and Derek Palagian each had three hits for the Supers. Rock, Mentanko, and Jeff Stewart each had two hits, while Brendon Landstad and Ian Quewezance each contributed one.
“The defense played well for both teams, especially Peterson, who stepped up huge at second base,” said Andreychuk.
Game 4
Pirie Field in Melville was the venue for Game 4 of the series on July 27. After a tough loss the night before, the Supers were poised to return the favour and clinch their fourth straight title.
“Derek Palagian was given the start on the hill, and did not disappoint,” said Andreychuk. “He pitched five innings while scattering seven hits, three strikeouts and two earned runs to pick up the win. Kody Rock came in to slam the door over the final two innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and no runs.”
The offence was a bit slow out of the blocks, as it took until the third inning to score a pair of runs. The Supers put up one in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead.
“In the sixth the bats finally woke up with early singles from brothers Grady and Porter Wolkowski, followed by hits from Sleeva, Rock and Mentanko to take a 6-2 lead,” said Andreychuk. “In the seventh, the game was put on ice as the Supers put up five more runs highlighted by Sleeva's second triple of the evening.”
Mentanko, Rock and Sleeva each had three hits. Palagian and Quewezance had two, while Peterson, and Grady and Porter Wolkowski each had one.
It was a complete team effort from the start of the series to the end, as everyone found a way to contribute. This season saw plenty of adversity to overcome due to injuries, work commitments, and other obstacles.
“But the guys just kept pushing through and found a way to persevere. This was a special group that came together and found a way to win another championship,” said Andreychuk.
It took a big effort from numerous sources to make the season a success, according to Andreychuk.
“Aaron Herriges and his staff from the Town of Canora have provided us with what we feel is the best field in the league, We would like to thank Mike Spelay for being the public address announcer at our home games. His presence adds to the atmosphere and he is a first class human being. Thank you to all of our players for working full time, then juggling family commitments, and finding enough time to commit to the season. It is a tough task but we always find a way to have enough players.”
Andreychuk went on to add that the local fans are probably the most important contributor to the success of the Supers.
“We would like to thank all of our fans for the support at the games and for all the kind words on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Playing in front of large crowds every night motivates the players and makes the season extremely enjoyable.”
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