By Mitch Bach

Bombers shine in Mavericks long overdue home opener

Jun 4, 2018 | 10:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Timely offence was the difference maker in the Brooks Bombers first victory of the season.

Four runs in the fourth inning, followed by a trio in the sixth on the heals of a two-run homer by Damien Rodriguez dampened the Medicine Hat Mavericks first game at home with an 9-6 victory Monday night.

Medicine Hat will search for its first win of the season Tuesday at Athletic Park, a rematch of Saturday’s make-shift season opener in Okotoks where the Dawgs won 4-3. Brooks improves to 1-2 on the early campaign. Medicine Hat and Brooks were supposed to crack into the 2018 season last Thursday, but steady showers caused the original home opener to be rescheduled for June 11th.

This stanza was originally set for last Friday, but Mother Nature didn’t let up her wrath in time to play either game.

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David Vilches led the scoring front for the Mavericks, bringing in three RBI in his first career game in Medicine Hat. Louie Canjura, David Salguiero, and Carson Johnson each left with a pair of hits. Mavs starter Jared Libke, playing his third and final season in the Gas City, lasted 3.2 innings and allowed four hits and four walks.

Jonny Chaves lasted over six frames, finishing with nine hits to his name and three earned runs.

Medicine Hat greeted the home crowd with an early run thanks to returning player Louie Canjura, who brought in newcomer Carson Johnson in the first on a sac-hit.

Brooks responded quickly in the second with Britt Logan’s only hit of the night to bring home Liam Shibata, but the Mavs regained control with a single notch in the bottom half and a pair in the third to lead 4-1.

The Bombers took the lead in the fourth inning and didn’t look back. Bryce O’farrell’s double brought in a pair of runs, and was quickly followed up by another couple tallies to lead 5-4.

Damien Rodriguez left the park in the sixth inning, a two-run shot, shortly after Zach Lehman scored Logan on a single to strengthen the Bombers lead to 8-4.

David Vilches and Jaxon Hooge brought life back into A.P. in the bottom of the 7th; both of which bringing in single runs to make it 8-6. But Rodriguez halted any chance of a comeback with his third RBI of the evening off a single in the eighth.

The Mavericks have a quick turnaround in hopes of pleasing the home crowd, hosting the Okotoks Dawgs at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday.