The Westlock Red Lions held on for a 3-1 victory over the Legal Indians in their last regular season game of the season last Wednesday.
The victory leaves the club comfortably in second place, with a record of 15-5, meaning they will face the third-place Edmonton Blackhawks in the North Central Alberta Baseball League semi-final tournament at Keller Field this weekend.
“I wouldn’t say they’re a hated rival, but they’re a really close rival,” coach Ryan Rau said. “We’ve had some exciting games with them over the years, and I expect much of the same this weekend.”
Chris Brand scored the Lions’ first run of the game during the first inning, after hitting a single and advancing through the bases one at a time until Nathan Swap scored him four batters later.
Matt Hutchings and Rau picked up the second and third runs of the game for the Lions in the second inning, and that’s where the Lions’ offensive push ended.
The Indians, meanwhile, managed to score one run in the third inning, but they couldn’t string another few onto it to make a comeback. The remainder of the game was marked by strong defensive performances from both teams, leaving a final score of 3-1.
“They might not be as hungry as they normally would have been, because they’re out of the playoffs,” Rau said of the Indians. They have won a silver medal in the league for the last three years, but this year finished in eighth place — well out of playoff contention.
Rau noted that while the Lions are excited to be in the semi-finals for the first time in four years, he expects it to be a tough battle — especially considering only four or five of the current Lions have any playoff experience.
“I think there will be a bit of nervousness for some of the guys who haven’t played in the playoffs before,” he said. “Any time you’re in that first playoff experience, there’s a little bit of panic and a little bit of nervousness there.”
The Blackhawks have been a tough team for the Lions to beat in the past, but it is certainly not impossible. Rau said over the past several years, they have faced each other about a dozen times, with about a 50 per cent success rate.
He added that the Lions’ performance will be largely up to the pitchers. A.J. Bosman has struggled of late with a shoulder injury, which could mean he won’t be able to play. Chris Johnson has also been pitching well this season, but in a best-of-three tournament one pitcher is not likely to be enough.
“If A.J. can be healthy and pitching the way he has, I love our chances,” Rau said. “If he’s not healthy and isn’t able to go, it’s going to be touch and go.”
The Lions will play their first game against the Edmonton Blackhawks at 2 p.m. on Saturday, with game 2 at 2 p.m. Sunday. If a third game is needed, it will be at 5 p.m.
