Medicine Hat Mavericks hosting Berries in WCBL playoffs

The Mavs finished second in the division with a 33-23 record, just ahead of the Berries who had a strong first season in the league going 31-25.

Mavs head coach Kevin Mitchell said he expects it to be a battle.

“We’ve played them well all year, but it’s a good team over there, so I think if we show up and play our brand of baseball, we should be just fine,” Mitchell said.

“But I’m expecting a really tough series with these guys.”

Mitchell said they will focus to keep the responsibility on themselves.

“It really doesn’t matter who’s on the other side. If we are not executing, throwing enough strikes, putting the ball in play, not doing the things that we need to do to win baseball games, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing against,” Mitchell said.

“I want our guys to keep it on themselves and just go out there and enjoy this experience.”

Mitchell said he was happy with how the team played this year.

“The body of work we had for the season, I’m thrilled. I mean, I love these guys. They’ve played so hard all summer long, and I like where we’re at,” Mitchell said.

“I think we’re right where we need to be to make a deep playoff run and go have a shot at a championship.”

Mitchell said he expects a second year Mavericks player who’s from just north of Saskatoon in Warman to be pumped for the series.

“Tyler Vanneste is an awesome kid. He’s a competitor no matter who we’re playing against, but especially tomorrow when we head to Saskatoon, that’s going to be pretty special for him,” Mitchell said.

“The games we played there during the regular season, he seemed to have a little extra hop in his step for sure. So now on this stage with the playoffs, playing against his hometown team, I’m excited for him.”

Mitchell is hoping to see a pair of Medicine Hat baseball teams winning championships this year as they have been following the Medicine Hat Major AAA 12U Mavs.

“It’s been awesome, man. We’re just following along with what they’re doing side by side. We’ve got two Medicine Hat baseball teams chasing a championship right now, so it’s pretty cool,” Mitchell said.

“Our owner, Greg Morrison, has a son on that team, so we feel pretty closely linked to those guys, and we’re pulling for them.”

The first game of the series gets underway at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday at Athletic Park.

Game 2 is set for Cairns Park in Saskatoon on Thursday, with a return to Athletic Park on Friday if necessary.

Meanwhile, the Major AAA 12U Mavs will play in the Canadian Little League Championship final on Thursday.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Mavericks hosting Berries in WCBL playoffs

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