The Grey Lions knocked another one out of the park July 5, defeating the Spruce Grove Eagles 14-1 at Keller Field.
The club is now 7-1 in the Alberta West Central Baseball Association, with seven games left in the regular season.
“They’re a good team, it was a tight game to start with,” said skipper Sheldon McConaghy. “Our bats finally came alive and we got some big hits. It was good.”
Even though the game was in Westlock, this was technically an away game for the club. The Eagles’ diamond was not available so the Lions loaned them theirs. Consequently, fans were treated to Westlock batting from the top of the inning for a change.
Things started out slow for Westlock, who were up 2-1 by the third inning.
Finally the Lions’ bats ignited in the top of the sixth, when Dean Rau hit a drive to the edge of right field that opened the floodgates.
Todd Ducharme hit a fly ball to centre field that was dropped by the Eagles outfielder and loaded the bases. Rick Sereda then brought two Lions home with a hit to centre field.
As McConaghy stood at bat, late in the game, a misplaced pitch by the Eagles bounced off the catcher, allowing Sereda to come home.
In the seventh, Steve Cote led off with a triple. Two hits to centre field got Paul Smith and Ducharme on base and Sereda brought the two runners home with a rope to right field.
In the bottom of the inning a dribbler to McConaghy took care of the first out, while a strikeout accounted for the second.
One Eagle did manage to make it to second base with a hit to centre field, but Sereda caught the next batter’s drive to end the game 14-1.
“We had some really good defence and hit the ball really well,” said McConaghy. “That’s what we want. The games will be won if we keep that up.”
The Grey Lions next game is slated for July 10 when they head to Edmonton to play the Pirates.
