MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- With the kind of offence the Moose Jaw Miller Express have put together in the early part of the 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League season, it stands to reason they’re never going to be out of a game.
Case in point, their contest with the Saskatoon Berries in Saskatoon on Thursday night.
The Express fell behind 8-1 in the first inning but used a six-run fourth to tie things up and eventually scored seven in the top of the 10th to take 16-10 victory.
Moose Jaw has needed almost every run they can find, too, as they continue to give up a lot -- with Thursday’s outing marking the seventh time in their last eight games that their opponents have scored 10 runs or more.
Thanks to their live offence, the Express are now 6-5 on the campaign and remain a game back of the East Division-leading Regina Red Sox and half a game back of the second-place Medicine Hat Mavericks.
After going hitless the previous night, Miller Express second-year veteran Nathan Houston got right back on the sticks in the rematch with Saskatoon, putting together a 4-for-5 night that included a double, home run, three runs scored and five runs batted in.
That boosted Houston’s batting average to .514 on the campaign to sit second overall in the WCBL.
Owen Robbins also had a good night at the plate, going 2-for-6 with a home run, pair of runs and three RBI, while lead-off hitter Thomas Soto was 2-for-5 with four runs scored. Austin Gurney showed a good eye at the plate, drawing three walks and going on to score a pair of runs and knock in two.
Saskatoon was led at the plate by Nolan Sparks and Ethan Menard, who each went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and pair of RBI.
It was a tough start for the Millers’ Bo Jacob Garza, as he allowed Saskatoon’s eight runs, six earned, on seven hits in an inning of work. Moose Jaw’s relievers were almost lights out from there, though, as Garrett Houston allowed a single run on three hits over the next four innings and Jacob Quiles held the Berries to a single hit over the next three. Ethan Merk then pitched the ninth and 10th, allowing a single run.
Saskatoon starter Michael Singleton gave up eight runs on nine hits over four innings before a trio of relievers -- Nick Nolan, Gage Driskell and Caden Wanless -- allowed a single run over the next five. Cory Lawson took over in the 10th and gave up seven runs on three hits and an error.
The Miller Express continue their busy week with a trio of upcoming games, as they’re in Swift Current on Friday night, host the 57’s on Saturday and are back in Saskatoon on Sunday,
The contest against Swift Current on Saturday will see first pitch at 7:05 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.
