Jr. Spurs have a busy weekend

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

This past weekend saw a busy slate of games for the Vauxhall Jr. Spurs as they had four on their schedule. Friday night saw the team on the road as they took on the YQL Sluggers to begin their weekend. The Sluggers would cruise out to an early lead. Despite Vauxhall clawing their way back into the game, they were unable to close the gap and they fell 11-6. 

Everett Smith led the way with two hits and four RBI while Hunter Simpson, Ty Dorin, Liam Okell, and Nixon Donald notched one hit each. Tristan Dyck was on the mound to start and gave the Jr. Spurs three innings. The starter allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks. Evan Daniels came out of the bullpen and went two-thirds of an inning and allowed three runs (two earned) on a hit and four walks. Jacob Keenen finished the game off with two innings where he struck out one and allowed three earned runs on two hits and three walks. 

Saturday’s action saw the Jr. Spurs at home for a doubleheader against the GF Outlaws and South Chief Rockies. Game one against the Outlaws started rocky for Vauxhall as they were down early. They would battle hard the rest of the game but were unable to mount a comeback as they fell 14-7. 

The Jr. Spurs had four hits in the game as Simpson, Everett Smith, Okell, and Roan Strach each had a single. Ashton Jensen took the ball as the starter and went three innings with three earned runs allowed on eight hits and a walk. The starter also struck out one batter. Strach pitched the final two innings and allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks to go along with two strikeouts. 

The final game on Saturday saw plenty of offence between the Jr. Spurs and Rockies. Despite outhitting the visitors, Vauxhall fell 18-11. Dorin and Simpson each had three hits in the game while Tolsma and Everett and Braden Smith each had a pair. Okell, Jensen, Strach, and Daniels each contributed with a hit. Dorin pitched two innings where he allowed eight runs (six earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out three. Everett Smith went three innings with six earned runs on six hits and two walks. He also had two strikeouts in his three innings of work. Tristan Schrader also pitched a pair of innings with four runs (three earned) on one hit and two walks while striking out a single batter. 

The weekend wrapped up with a Sunday rematch against the YQL Sluggers. Like the first game, the Jr. Spurs were unable to keep pace with the Sluggers as they took a 12-6 loss. Simpson and Strach each had two hits for the Jr. Spurs while Tolsma, Everett Smith, Keenen, and Okell each notched one. 

Simpson also pitched in the game and went four innings where he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks. The pitcher also collected one strikeout over his four innings. Daniels pitched three innings with two strikeouts while allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks. 

Next up for the Jr. Spurs is the annual Canada Day doubleheader where they take on the YQL Sluggers.