Prospects Break Jinx In Brooks
Prospects Break Jinx In Brooks
By Len Nunes
The Brooks Bombers currently occupy the western division basement in the 2018 season. One bright side to their season, aside from Riley MacDonald setting the WMBL home run record, is their ability to beat the Edmonton Prospects in their own ballpark. A close game until the 8th inning, the Prospects lifted the Elks Field jinx defeating the Bombers 8-3.
The Prospects opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd when Beaux Guilbeau brought home an Eric Crain lead-off double with a sacrifice fly. The lead became 2-0 in the 3rd inning when Nick Spillman singled home Zane Takhar.
Prospects starting pitcher Edgar Barclay cruised through the first two innings before running into a spot of trouble in the bottom of the 3rd. The only Bomber baserunner to reach due to a fielding error came around to score after a balk and a stolen base. With the bases empty Conner Morro hit a homer to tie the game at 2. With 2-out in the 4th, Brooks added another run making it 3-2.
Prospects leftfielder Crain tied the game in the top of the 5th with a 2-out single. The Prospects took a 4-3 lead in the top of the 6th when the Bombers committed two of their six defensive errors back-to-back. An error allowed Guilbeau to reach base then score on a mishandled AJ Nitzschke single.
Barclay had found his groove on the Prospects mound retiring the Bombers in order in the 5th and retiring the first two batters of the 6th. Two singles and a walk later, suddenly it was gut check time for Barclay. Damian Rodriguez became out number three and Barclay finished a good night on a high note.
Reliever Chase Morris, who had a “learning experience” game his last outing, bounced back strongly for the Prospects. Entering a tight game 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th inning, Morris gave up a single to MacDonald and struck out two batters. When he came back to the mound in the 8th inning, the Prospects had made the score 10-3 but that did not take away from Morris’ focus. A clean slate 8th was followed by another blank in the 9th leaving Morris’ final pitching line a sparking 3 innings played allowing 2 hits and a walk while striking out 5.
The big 8th inning for the Prospects started with a Guilbeau lead-off homer. The homer is Guilbeau’s first of the season. Percy Liu knocked in Aidan Huggins with a 1-out single. After Takhar reached on an error, Daylen Calicdan plated Liu making it 7-3.
Spillman’s 4th hit of the night drove in Takhar. Spillman’s .379 batting average sits 2nd in the league and his 29 RBI place him 5th overall. Crain, who finished the 3-for-5 extending his personal hit streak to 8 games, reached on an error which allowed Calicdan and Spillman to score making it 10-3.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
The heart wants to give it to Beaux Guilbeau for hitting his first homer or to Chase Morris for his remarkable bounce back performance on the mound. Numbers don’t lie though. Spillman going 4-for-5 and climbing the WMBL ranks gives him the Player of the Game nod.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday July 13 – STAR WARS NIGHT - Stars Wars themed game-worn jerseys to be auctioned off. Silent Auction bids will be taken across from the Merchandise Booth on the main concourse behind Section H. 7:05 PM first pitch vs Yorkton!
Saturday July 14 – CANADIAN ARMED FORCES NIGHT - Military personnel will be participating in a home run derby, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band will be performing the National Anthem and Colonel Scott McKenzie, Commander 3rd Canadian Division Support Group, will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Proceeds from a 50 /50 draw will be donated to the Edmonton Military Family Resource Centre. 7:05 PM first pitch vs Brooks!
Sunday July 15 RE/MAX Family Day! In support of the Children's Wish Foundation, kids run the bases post-game. Pick up a free Prospects Magazine on the concourse for player autographs! 2:05 PM first pitch vs Brooks!
Toonie Tuesday July 17 vs Regina
Wednesday July 18 vs Medicine Hat - Faith and Family Day in support of The Mustard Seed
Thursday July 19 vs Medicine Hat – Pre-game Business Mixer
Friday July 20 vs Regina - Edmonton Trappers Night featuring Ron Kittle!
*Outside Food Policy - The Edmonton Prospects have a no outside food policy at RE/MAX Field. Security will check specifically for nuts and sunflower seeds due to allergies. Any outside food will be asked to either be consumed prior to entry to the ballpark or returned to your car. You may bring a water bottle to the game but it must be empty as you can refill for free inside at one of two water fountains. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.