By WAYNE SHIELS
The Sask Five 15UAAA Giants bookmarked last week with late inning dramatics on their way claiming the title at a major baseball tournament over the weekend.
They started the week with a dramatic come-from-behind walk off 11-10 win over East Central Dodgers at Mocon Field in Martensville on Tuesday, May 27.
The Dodgers scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning, highlighted with a grand slam home run by Everitt Solar to take a 10-7 lead.
Undeterred, the Giants took care of business in their half of the inning. Ryder Collins led off with a walk. Carson Perrier nailed his second home run of the game over the right field fence. Brady Menzies hit a line drive single and moved to third base on a Jyles Kennedy double. Reid Viden doubled to center field and brought in both runners to give Sask Five the victory.
The win gave some momentum for the Giants as they travelled to Edmonton to compete in Canada’s largest baseball tournament, the Dave ‘Doc’ Plofsky Memorial Tournament May 29-June 1.
They dominated pool play and advanced to the championship game for the 15UAAA division of the tournament.
The Giants led off the tournament with a dominant 15-3 win over the White Butte Broncos on Thursday, May 29. They blew the game open scoring 10 runs in the third inning and added five runs in the fourth inning. Brady Menzies earned the win, allowing only three hits and striking out nine batters. The Giants were very aggressive on the bases, led by Jackson Dowie who had three stolen bases.
In game two on Friday Giants took down the Calgary Bucks 7-2. Ryder Collins earned the win, allowing only three hits over four innings, striking out six batters. Jax Kennedy was strong in relief, closing out the game by striking out six batters over three innings pitched.
Carson Perrier pitched a gem against the Edmonton Expos allowing only two hits while striking out 10 batters over six innings in the 12-2 win on Saturday. The defence aided the hurler, turning two double plays in the game. Easton Leishman led the way at the plate, going three for three and driving in three runs.
The Giants squared off against the Saskatoon Expos in the championship game on Sunday. Starter Jackson Dowie allowed two hits and struck out six batters over four innings. Jax Kennedy came in relief and was credited with the win after the Giants had another strong finish, scoring four runs in the fifth and five runs in the sixth to take the 15UAAA title with a 10-5 win. The team was very disciplined at the plate, drawing 13 walks to go along with their 10 hits.