By Scott Roblin

Knights off to 1-1 start, looking forward to hosting North ‘A’ Districts

May 27, 2019 | 12:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Much of this year’s Medicine Hat K of C Knight roster remembers the North District Class ‘A’ Tournament last July and the disappointment that followed.

This year, the Knights say they’re poised to make a run at a district title with a roster that is hungry for redemption.

Medicine Hat opened its 2019 season on Sunday with a weekend split against the Fort Macleod Royals at Athletic Park, earning a comeback 8-7 win in the early game.

Trailing 6-3 entering the bottom half of the fifth inning, the Knights rattled off five unanswered runs to pick up their first victory of the season.

Rookies Hayden Hall and Evan Morrison each had a pair of RBIs in the win, while Jordan Hieb was credited with the win on the mound after pitching two scoreless innings before Kayden Hleucka picked up the save.

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Returning Knight infielder Kobe Coderre was 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI and said it was a big confidence boost for the team.

“Last year we didn’t get our first win until 10 games in,” said Coderre. “We got our first home game win and it’s going to help us strive to continue.”

Medicine Hat and Fort Macleod followed that up with a seven-inning shootout, which was eventually captured by the Royals by a 22-20 final.

Down 19-6 after just three innings, the Knights got on their bats in the fourth inning with seven runs to cut the deficit to six.

Medicine Hat found their groove again with four runs in the seventh inning to pull within two runs of the Royals, but a line out by Cole Rath ended the comeback attempt with the game’s final out.

All but two Knights hitters drove in at least one run in the late game, led by Hleucka’s four-RBI effort in the defeat.

Despite the loss, Coderre said he’s confident in his team’s ability to compete with the province’s best.

“I think we have a better roster than last year to be honest,” he said. “We have lots of young guys, good arms, good batters and everything. I think we have a good shot this year.”

Medicine Hat boasts seven returning players from the 2018 roster that was knocked out early at North Districts, including pitcher and position player Jack Didack.

The Knights veteran echoed Coderre’s comments, stating the team’s bats have been especially promising to begin the year.

“I feel like we’re better than last year, so I feel like we’ll get farther,” said Didack. “I feel like our hitting is a really big strength and our defence.”

Along with Coderre and Didack, this year’s Knights team sees Rath, Carter Krauss, Josh Stark, Wyatt Study, and national Canadian team member Kaitlyn Ross return wearing Medicine Hat colours.

For these returning players, expectations have been raised to help lead the first-year talent making their summer league debuts at the ‘A’ level.

“It’s a big thing helping the younger guys strive forward, being big on this team and helping us out,” said Coderre. “Hopefully to win a district championship at the end of the year.”

The Knights will also have a unique opportunity this year to welcome some of the American Legion’s top talent to Medicine Hat, serving as the host club for the 2019 North District ‘A’ Tournament.

All eight teams in the North District from Vauxhall to Great Falls, Montana will be travelling to the ‘Gas City’ later this summer for a spot at the Montana state tournament.

Coderre added their experience at Jeffries Park will hopefully pay off in spades with a district title.

“I think it’s a big thing as we’re at home,” he said. “Lots of confidence coming here. Hopefully we do better than last year and pick up a [win].”

The 2019 North District ‘A’ Tournament will be held between July 18 and 21, while the Knights hit the road for Lewistown and Havre, Montana next weekend for four games south of the border.

As for the Medicine Hat ‘AA’ Moose Monarchs, they will look to break their winless 0-4 record at their home Servus Credit Union Tournament running Friday to Sunday.