By Mitch Bach

WCBL Baseball

Medicine Hat finishes 3rd in West after loss to Okotoks

Aug 6, 2019 | 7:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — JT Patterson and William Hollis each mashed two-run dingers, leading the Okotoks Dawgs to a commanding 11-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Mavericks at Athletic Park on Tuesday night.

The loss, combined with the Lethbridge Bulls victory over Brooks, awards the Mavericks third place in the WCBL’s Western Division. They’ll travel to Lethbridge for Game 1 of the opening round on Thursday, and return to Medicine Hat on Friday for Game 2.

Medicine Hat’s chances to earn second in the West and home-field advantage are mathematically void, trailing the Bulls by 0.5 games. Although the Mavs can finish the regular season tied with Lethbridge with a win Wednesday in Okotoks, the Bulls hold the season-series tie-breaker, having won five of eight games.

First Inning:

It didn’t take long for Mavericks infielder Collin Klingensmith to extend his hitting streak. The third-baseman connected on a lead-off double to make it 10 games in a row with a hit.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on in Medicine Hat and area this weekend: Sept. 20-22

Sep 21, 2024

Medicine Hat women's shelter hopeful for government cash to support renovations

Sep 20, 2024

LIVE UPDATES

Road construction, detours and traffic in Medicine Hat

Sep 20, 2024

Two batters later, Austin Sojka hit into a double-play, but Klingensmith completed the loop to give the Mavericks an early 1-0 lead.

Dark clouds to the north of Medicine Hat continue to inch closer, threatening the longevity of the game.

Third Inning:

After William Hollis sacrificed himself to bring in Liam Rihela, Brett Esau struck a deep shot to left field, helping give the Okotoks Dawgs their first lead of the match. Tristan Peters’ first run of the contest made it 2-1 for the West-best Dawgs.

With a dark sky looming to the north, Medicine Hat was unable to reach base in the bottom half. Several fans have begun seeking shelter, expecting a heavy dose of rain to fall at Athletic Park.

Fourth Inning:

Okotoks strengthened its lead to 3-1 thanks to another sacrifice fly. Showers have begun to fall at Athletic Park, with heavier rainfall expected as the evening stretches on.

Fifth inning:

With rain beginning to pound Athletic Park, and fewer fans enduring the wet, cool condition, JT Patterson let it fly. The Calgary-product ripped a two-run shot over the center-field wall to strengthen the Dawgs lead to 5-1.

Fifth Inning:

Following the conclusion of the fifth frame, Mavericks players, coaches and game officials deliberated whether to continue playing on, or call the game early due to rain. After a 10-minute discussion along with applying fresh dirt to the pitcher’s mound and home-plate, the game continued on.

Ninth Inning:

The Dawgs flexed their offensive punch, scoring six runs, led by a two-run homer from William Hollis.

COMPLETE BOX SCORE