A strong 6-2 win over the visiting Stony Plain Codgers at Keller Field last Thursday leaves the Westlock 30-Plus Red Lions in sole possession of the top spot in the Alberta West Central Baseball Association.
With the win, the team remains undefeated with an 8-0 record.
Manager Keith Szautner said the win in front of the home crowd was a good way to spend a Thursday evening.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a beautiful night for ball. You can’t ask for anything more.”
The result was never in doubt as the Red Lions got on the sticks early, rapping out hits on a regular basis and keeping the base runners moving.
It also didn’t hurt that pitcher Ryan Provencal was dealing right from the beginning, keeping Stony Plain off balance for five innings.
After pitching his five innings and not allowing a single run to cross the plate, Provencal was taken out of the game, replaced by Brad Sharun.
Sharun pitched well in relief, Szautner said, and only surrendered one hard-hit ball. Unfortunately, that ball was hit hard enough to clear the fence in left field for a two-run home run.
Still, with the six runs the offence put on the board, there was more than enough breathing room for the Red Lions not to panic.
In the win, Szautner said he felt the whole team played well in keeping the Codgers at bay. He singled out Rob Rau as contributing a lot to the team by knocking out a couple solid hits along the way.
Overall, the season has been going well for all the players on the team, Szautner said.
“It’s fun and competitive,” he said.
“It’s good to get the guys together.”
Next up for the Red Lions is a home game June 21 against the St. Albert Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45.
After that, the team heads down to Spruce Grove to take on the Eagles on June 25 before returning to Keller Field for a June 28 rematch against the Cardinals.
