By CHAT News Today

Mavericks season starts tonight in Okotoks

Jun 2, 2017 | 4:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Mavericks’ quest for a Western Major Baseball League Championship gets underway tonight.

The first game of the 48 game season sees the Mavericks travelling to Okotoks for a pair of games against the Dawgs.

Head coach Mike Thompson said this week the first games will be a learning experience, which will allow him to solidify the batting order for the team.

For the first games, Thompson wants to see continued improvement from the Mavericks.

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“Nobody here has seen any live pitching in at least a couple of weeks to a month,” he said. “That’s not something we can do out here.

“Getting used to seeing live pitching again will be an adjustment, but I want to start seeing them have some quality at-bats, and get comfortable in the box again.”

But there’s no shortage of talent and power with the team.

Among the talent is returning second basement Blake Rowlett. Rowlett spent last summer with the Dawgs, batting .337 through the season.

Rowlett says he’s not treating the home opener any differently, even if it’s against his former team.

“I think it as just another game, and another chance to help the team win, and that’s what I came back for, to help us win, and for me to go out a winner, but more importantly, so the Mavericks organization goes a step forward to being a successful organization,” he said.

The Mavericks are hoping to spoil the 10 year anniversary celebrations for the Dawgs during tonight’s game. Seaman Stadium in Okotoks turns a decade old this summer, and the bDawgs are marking the occasion all year long.

Aaron Gardner, new to the Mavericks this year, starts on the mound tonight, with C.J. Lewington starting for the Dawgs. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

The Mavericks and Dawgs meet again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m., before the Mavericks travel to Brooks for a Sunday afternoon battle with the Brooks Bombers. That game begins at 2:05 p.m.