Spurs continue to rack up wins

By Cole Parkinson
The Taber Times

Despite some rainy conditions to end June, the Vauxhall Spurs ended the month with a few big wins as they continue to round into form heading into the dog days of summer.

The end of the month saw the Spurs out for three more doubleheaders before the month ended. It all got started against the Lethbridge Miners as the Spurs hit the road. It was a big first game as the Spurs’ offence was unstoppable as they ran it up against the Miners with a 19-3 win.

Eric Reiling had five RBI in the game and went 3-5 with a double, Roman Pavka had four RBI and went 3-5 while Langdyn Cummins and Landon Howg each had two hits and two RBI. Other offence came from Parker Mclaughlin (2-4, RBI), Aidan Maxwell (2-5, RBI), and Landen Gustafson (RBI). Tanner Bullock was dominant on the mound, giving the Spurs six innings of four-hit ball which included six strikeouts and only one earned run. Ashton Lukacs pitched the final inning of the game.

In the second game of the day, it was the Miners who saw their offence come up clutch as they cruised to a 10-1 win. Howg was 2-3 with a walk, Mclaughlin had a hit and an RBI, and Brian Fehr and Tage Jensen each had a hit. Daxton Schrader was roughed up on the mound as the pitcher went five innings with nine hits, seven earned runs allowed, and
two strikeouts. Gustafson went the final inning and allowed no runs while striking out one batter.

Despite dropping the second game of the doubleheader against the Miners, it was all hands on deck the following day when they matched up against the Fort Macleod Royals. Thanks to a six run fourth inning, the Spurs were able to secure a 9-4 win at home.

Cummins led off for the Spurs and provided a 2-3 day with two RBI while Howg followed up with a 2-2 day and an RBI. Other offence came from Reiling (1-3), Maxwell (1-4, RBI), Gustafson (1-2, RBI), and Bullock (1-3, RBI). Fehr got the start on the mound for Vauxhall, giving the team 3.2 innings with four earned runs, one hit, six walks, and striking out five. Lukacs went the final 3.1 innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

Looking to add another win, the two teams matched up again and once again, the Spurs put up a crooked number — this time it finished 18-4. Howg was 3-4 and had two doubles with three RBI on the day while Cummins was 2-4 with three RBI and Jensen went 3-4 with four RBI. Taitsen Wood (1-1) and Bullock each had two RBI.

Other offence came from Reiling (2-3, RBI), Lukacs (RBI), and Mark Vulcano (4-4, RBI). Howg was great on the mound as he struck out eight batters over 3.2 innings while only allowing two hits and one earned run. Maxwell finished up with 1.1 innings where the pitcher struck out four.

The team’s doubleheader against the Great Falls Chargers was set for June 30 but was rained out and was postponed.