Medicine Hat head coach Tyler Jeske (second from right) sitting with Mavericks players taking in fireworks at Seaman Stadium (Photo courtesy Scott Roblin)

By Scott Roblin

WCBL All-Star Game

Mavericks players savour All-Star experience in Okotoks

Jul 24, 2022 | 12:18 AM

OKOTOKS, AB – It was a walk-off at the expense of the Medicine Hat Mavericks, but it was all smiles in the Team East dugout following the 2022 WCBL All-Star Game.

Sylvan Lake Gulls infielder Ethan He stepped up as hero delivering a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Team West a come from behind 9-8 victory at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks.

“It made sense that this game would have to be won by walk-off going into extras, I thought that was really special,” said Mavericks infielder Nathan Ade.

Medicine Hat’s contingent of seven players all saw the field on Saturday night with Braden Desonia and Kellen Williamson being selected for the East Division’s starting lineup.

For Desonia, it was a lengthy day not only due to the game but being selected for the WCBL Home Run Derby as well.

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“That was pretty exhausting, but we have a nice off day tomorrow thank goodness,” said Desonia.

Desonia was not able to take one out of the park, but that wasn’t the focus heading into the batter’s box Saturday.

What made the evening memorable was Braden taking pitches from his father Rob, who made the trip to Okotoks with the rest of the Desonia family.

“Growing up me and my dad would always watch the home run derby and we’d say, ‘Oh, someday we’re going to get to do that,’” said Braden. “So, it was pretty special for him to be able to be here and come pitch to me.”

Rob actually got in a little pitching practice ahead of the derby itself, wanting to get loose before the eyes of Seaman Stadium were on he and Braden.

“My daughter and I were at the Wal-Mart parking lot today playing catch while my wife was in the store grabbing some stuff,” said Rob. “Her and I were out there playing catch because I haven’t picked a baseball up in three years. It’s surreal, you dream about this stuff even at the major league level. But, this is a phenomenal league.”

Batting leadoff, Desonia was able to score the game’s first run following a standup double thanks to an RBI by Mike Kenney of the Regina Red Sox.

After taking a 3-0 lead early, Team East saw their lead erased in the third inning as Okotoks Dawgs star Alejandro Cazorla came through with a triple to tie up the score at 3-3.

Down by a 6-3 count in the eighth inning, the East Division’s offence woke up with five runs which included Hunter Cooper and Nate Ewing crossing home plate.

For Cooper, it was an eventful evening as he pitched two-thirds of an inning before playing out the rest of the night at first base.

“I didn’t come out here with any expectations to hit and I got two hits tonight,” said Cooper. “Tyler actually told me I wasn’t going to hit before the game, so I didn’t take batting practice. Then they were like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re going to play five innings at first base.’”

Three outs away from victory, Team East saw the West Division mount a late comeback which included an RBI double from Brooks Bomber Drew Mackie to force extra innings.

After Medicine Hat’s Nathan Ade was thrown out at home plate to end the top of the 10th inning in dramatic fashion, the West Division saw momentum swing in their favour.

With a runner at third base, Sylvan Lake’s He was able to connect off a pitch from Mavericks ace Zac Robinson to clear Team West’s dugout.

“I didn’t come out here with any expectations to hit and I got two hits tonight,” said Cooper. “Tyler actually told me I wasn’t going to hit before the game, so I didn’t take batting practice. Then they were like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re going to play five innings at first base.’”

Along with Robinson and Cooper spending time on the mound, Team East also got a couple innings of relief work from Mavericks pitcher Isaiah Bartels.

It was a bittersweet night for Ade meanwhile, as he announced post-game that his time in Medicine Hat is done for the summer as he is heading home to deal with family matters.

Ade finishes his WCBL season with 39 games under his belt, recording a .286 batting average with 22 RBIs and one home run.

“It made it more special,” said Ade. “We didn’t win, but being able to play in an all-star game is definitely a high note. So, leaving on this high note for me is a big positive.”

Ade will also be transferring from Cosumnes River College in California across the country to Norfolk State University in Virginia and said he hopes to return to the Mavericks next summer.

Mavericks head coach Tyler Jeske called Saturday’s electric atmosphere special, adding it was a great sendoff for one of their most consistent players this season.

“Nathan Ade has been awesome throughout the season,” said Jeske. “He’s an outstanding young man, he’s worked extremely hard, he does the little things. I’m definitely going to miss him.”

For his walk-off efforts, He was named WCBL All-Star MVP while Weyburn Beavers slugger Nolan Machibroda captured the home run derby crown.

The Mavericks will enjoy another day off on Sunday before a double-header in Regina on Monday night against the Red Sox.