SPORTHOUND: Two out of Three Ain’t bad

The U18 AA Bonnyville Braves were in Callingwood this past weekend playing ball on another smoking hot weekend. On top of that they  had back to back games Saturday and no time to cool off. But maybe that’s a good thing, these guys have been as hot as a firecracker all summer !
The first game was against the 1st place team from the south the Castor Raiders. The Braves brought their A game. Starter  Keagan Locke getting the call to the mound , pitched another great game going 6 innings, allowing only 4 hits, 3 runs and striking out 4. The Braves defense was rock solid and played a big key to his success. As well, the boys bats hammered the ball.  Dallas Sparklingeyes was 3-3 at the plate and scored twice. Brad Atwal came in to close out the game in the 7th and and didn’t allow a run, shutting down the the raiders giving the braves a 8-3 win. It was a big boost beating another good team.

With no time between games to celebrate, the boys picked up their lunch pails and got right back to work against the Central Hounds. Every time these two teams meet it seems to be a dog fight. This game was no different. Starter Colton Lacoursiere pitched 4 strong innings striking out a couple. Reliever Seth Colbourne also going 4 strong innings striking out three. The boys bats didn’t cool off and were still smoking the ball. Tyler Hardy was hot at the plate going 4-4 with a double and a long solo shot for his second home run of the year. Andon ‘Ace’ Ballas also went 4-4 with a double and a triple. ‘ Ace’ really came though at the plate, not only in this game but all weekend long . Another nail biter finish was in the forecast. The Braves the home team they were down 11-10 going into bottom of the 7th. With 2 out Dallas Sparklingeyes doubled to left field, bringing up  “Ace’ Ballas who hit a double of his own to tie the game. Extra innings (there are no ties in baseball). With the new rules of players starting on 1st and 2nd in extras. The Raiders scored a single run after tagging up on a fly ball out. Braves now down again by one.  12-11 bottom of the 8th and Tyler Hardy hits a hard single to score a run, tie game. With the bases juiced, the Raiders pitcher walks Keagan Locke to give the Braves { another walk off win.  As they say… a walk is as good as a run!

Dawson Plamondon with a mighty swing

Kobe Warawa throwing to first for an out

A strong start to the weekend, but the tomorrow is a new day, the top place team, the South Jasper Jays were on deck waiting for the Braves .

Sunday morning Brad Atwal headed to the hill to start the game. He chucked a terrific game going  5 innings, striking out 4 and only allowing 3 runs. With the Baseball Alberta tiering system in play, as the season goes on the games become closer. Another very tight game all the way through. Neither team getting more than a one run lead.  The game was 3-2 Jays in the bottom of the 6th. The Jays looking to break it open. Braves  manager going to his bull pen sending right hand reliever Kobe ‘ Cobra’ Warawa to stop the threat. ‘ Cobra’ getting the Braves out of a jam and shut the door allowing only 1 run over 1.2 innings. Chris Kulikov hit the ball hard this weekend, coming really close to  his first homer out of the park. Bouncing it over the fence he  had to settle for a ground rule double.  The Braves were down 4-2 in the 7th but managed to load the bases with only 1 out. Top of the order and things were shaping up nicely for another win. Keagan Locke hit a hard hit ground ball and turns it into a double play. Game over.  A bit of a let down after how well they played, but still going 2-1 and playing against the top AA teams in the province  is definitely something to be proud of for the team. The team has found its groove. Keep on trucking boys!