The Westlock Red Lions ended the Edmonton Blackhawks’ perfect season last week with a 3-2 victory at Keller Field.
The July 6 win brings them one step closer to the first place Blackhawks in North Central Alberta Baseball League standings — the Blackhawks lead the league with a 9-1 record, while the Red Lions are at 9-2.
With the season half over, manager Adam Sawatzky said the win is the perfect way to let other teams in the league know Westlock is gunning for first.
“Giving [the Blackhawks] their first loss, especially this late, is a good thing for us as a confidence booster and maybe sends a message out to the rest of the league that as good as the Blackhawks have been, we’re right there with them,” he said.
The Blackhawks drew first blood in the third inning, but Westlock answered quickly, taking a 2-1 lead at the bottom of the inning.
Edmonton ground out another run at the top of the seventh to level the score 2-2, but Westlock came back with a snap line drive from Adam Watamaniuk to bring pitcher Curtis Burlet home.
“It was a good, competitive game … something that we thrive on. We always seem to play some of our best baseball against the Blackhawks,” Sawatzky said.
“Our guys have a lot of faith in ourselves to come up with the run and pull the win out.”
The game was also highlighted by more outstanding pitching from Burlet, who didn’t give up a run until the fifth inning.
“Definitely Kris [Johnson] and Curtis have stepped up for us. We had a lot of confidence in them in knowing their pedigree and how well they’ve pitched in the past,” Sawatzky said.
A line drive shattered Sawatzky’s throwing hand during a doubleheader with the Camrose Axemen June 19, putting an end to his season, though he’s hopeful to return in time for the finals.
Next up, the Lions face the Stony Plain Mets July 13. Though Stony Plain posed little difficulty during their last tilt May 18, Sawatzky said the boys will still need their wits about them.
“They’re a good team, a scrappy team. They have a lot of veterans and will be in it until the end.
“They’re playing good ball right now. We’ll have our hands full.”
