The Vauxhall mosquito Jets continue to roll through Baseball Alberta playdowns.
Last weekend in Sundre, the team went 3-0 to extend its round-off record to 6-0.
But game one was more dramatic than the team was accustomed to, as the Jets had to hold on for a 9-8 win over Lacombe.
Blaise Unruh took the win on the mound, as he worked four solid innings for the Jets, after he came on in relief of starter Hunter Johnson and reliever Darian Simmons. Unruh had eight strikeouts in the contest.
“We had a tough first inning or two but then we settled down. Blaise came in and did a good job pitching holding on. He pitched a lot of strikes,” said Willie Huddlestun, head coach of the mosquito Jets.
Offensively, Vauxhall was paced by Unruh, who had a single and a double. Jaden Bexte, Brandyn Howg, Darian Simmons, Dylan Caldwell, Dakota Huddlestun and Brant Mack added singles with Dakota Huddlestun getting game MVP.
The Jets then pounded the hometown Sundre team 26-18, as every player on the roster had at least one hit. Bexte, Reed Odland and Joel Dalton all had home runs, while Unruh had four singles and Chase Gedny had three singles. Mack, Bexte and Brandyn Howg all had two singles each, while Caldwell had a single and a double on the way to getting game MVP.
“We were having a tough time with strikes on that one. Walks were killing us,” said Huddlestun.
Dalton started on the mound, and Gedny threw in relief. Caldwell took the win, as he struck out five in two and two-thirds innings of work. Odland pitched the last inning.
Vauxhall then racked up a lopsided 24-9 win over Rockyview to end the weekend. Bexte took the win on the mound, as he struck out five in two and one-third innings on the way to game MVP.
Mack pitched the final one and two-thirds innings, and recorded two strikeouts.
“Our bats came alive. Actually, for the most part all weekend we had strong hitting, but that game it really came alive. Our bats were able to cover up a lot of baserunning mistakes,” said Huddlestun. “The whole weekend we were also able to keep the other team’s run game down.”
Odland and Simmons led the offence with four singles each, while Howg had a single and a home run. Unruh and Bexte each had a single and a triple. Mack had a single and a double, while Dalton and Caldwell had two singles each.
The team now awaits word on where provincials, set for the July 24 weekend, will be held.
“I think as a team we’ve gelled pretty well and we got Brandyn Howg back from a wrist injury,” said Huddlestun. “If we keep hitting the way that we have been along with our solid defence, it should carry us a long way.”