Having finished first overall in the Alberta West Central Baseball Association regular season with a 13-2 record, the Westlock Grey Lions are already one win into the playoffs.
The Lions doused the Edmonton Heat 8-0 Aug. 2 after pillaging the Edmonton Pirates 12-2 to wrap up their regular season July 31.
A final regular season game against the Fort Saskatchewan Red Sox was scheduled for Aug. 1, but was cancelled due to rain.
“That would have been our final league game, but since we’re in playoffs now it just gets washed away,” said skipper Sheldon McConaghy with a laugh. “Literally.”
The Lions now wait with bated breath for their second match against the Heat in the best-of-three semifinal. Playoff action was not supposed to start until mid-August, but the Heat had to move the timetable up because they were off to Los Angeles to compete in the World Firefighter Games Aug. 7-16.
If the Heat don’t make it back in time for Game 2 — currently scheduled for Aug. 8 in Edmonton, though that may change depending on availability of the diamond — they will forfeit the series to the Lions.
“The other round is between the Edmonton Brewers and the Spruce Grove Eagles,” said McConaghy. “So whoever comes out of that goes into the finals.”
The 8-0 score of Game 1 betrayed the game as really a pitcher’s duel. The Lions got onto the board early, putting six runs on the board before the second inning closed. The Red Lions were able to get two more runners home in the fourth inning, but were held in check by the Heat’s outfield.
However, the Heat was unable to get past second base for much of the game.
“Carmen Brown pitched a really good game tonight,” said McConaghy. “We had some hot plays from everyone up and down the lineup.”
The stellar regular season wrap up means the pressure is on for the Grey Lions to keep their momentum going into the playoffs.
“I’m really happy with the season,” said McConaghy. “We had some new guys come in and play really well for us. Some old guys played like they always had. It was a good year for us.”
“I hope next year goes the same way.”
