By Scott Roblin

Monarchs win first game of season to close out ‘AA’ tournament

Jun 2, 2019 | 2:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It may have come in a consolation game at their home tournament, but the Medicine Hat ‘AA’ Moose Monarchs finally have their first win of the American Legion season.

Jaden Schwindt drove in four runs, while the Monarchs pitching staff of Ethan Boutkan and Tory Nelson limited the Calgary Redbirds to a single run in an 11-1 walk on Sunday.

After losing all three games in the round-robin of the Servus Credit Union ‘AA’ Tournament, including a 13-8 defeat Saturday night at the hands of the Saskatoon Cubs, the Monarchs were looking for redemption.

That came in waves in the bottom of the first inning down 1-0, as an RBI-single by Boutkan tied up the contest before Schwindt taking first base after being hit by a pitch and a walk with the bases loaded cashed in two more.

Medicine Hat continued its offensive push in the bottom of the second with RBI-doubles from both Boutkan and Schwindt made it a 7-1 contest.

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After turning a double play to end the top of the third, the Monarchs extended their lead to seven runs off a sacrifice fly to right field by Heyden Harrison.

Harrison drove in his second and third runs of the afternoon in the bottom of the fifth, which was capped off by another RBI from Schwindt to boost Medicine Hat’s lead to 10 and put a ribbon on the game.

While Schwindt led the way at the plate with his four RBI performance, Harrison and Boutkan also combined for six of Medicine Hat’s 11 runs.

Nelson was given the win in relief of Boutkan after allowing zero runs and just two hits over three innings, while Boutkan allowed one earned run on three hits.

The win snaps Medicine Hat’s seven-game losing streak to begin the season and now hold a 1-7 record following the tournament.

They’ll return to action on Tuesday night at 7:00 against the visiting Lethbridge Elks at Athletic Park, while the finals of the Servus Credit Union ‘AA’ Tournament are being played at 2:00 pm Sunday between Saskatoon and the Calgary Blues.