Last Friday’s rainfall scuttled their bid to sweep the season series with the Barrhead Orioles, but the Westlock Red Lions still posted a winning week.
On Wednesday, July 23, the Red Lions hosted the visiting Edmonton Indians, winning 8-3 and running their record to 12-4-1 on the season with three games to play.
“I feel comfortable with where we are,” Red Lions manager Adam Sawatzky said of the team’s position in the standings this late in the season.
The top four teams in the North Central Alberta Baseball Association qualify for the playoffs, and only the fifth-place Sherwood Park Athletics are in a position to finish with more wins than the Red Lions.
“If we play our ball and win our final three games, we should be able to retain the second-place spot,” Sawatzky said. “Hopefully with some luck we can catch the (14-3 Edmonton) Blackhawks for first.”
In Wednesday’s game, the Red Lions were in control from start to finish.
Starter Kris Johnson gave the team a strong five innings of work on the mound, and while he allowed all three runs the Indians scored, he was generally effective.
“He gave up some hits, but he was hitting the strike zone and never really in that much trouble throughout the night,” Sawatzky said.
Jordan Brand pitched the final two innings and kept the Indians’ offence at bay.
On offence, “everyone did the little things right.”
There were no standout performances at the plate by any Red Lions, with seven players getting one hit each and none getting more than one.
However, Aaron Watamaniuk and Stu Schroeder were “clutch,” Sawatzky said, with each stroking a two-run single.
The Red Lions wrap up their regular season with a July 27 game in Edmonton against the Warriors, a July 28 home game against the Orioles, and the season finale Aug. 6 at home against the Warriors.
On July 22, six members of the Red Lions were in Camrose for the annual NCABL all-star game.
Nathan Brown was voted in to the game, and was joined by Sawatzky, Schroeder, Brand, Watamaniuk and Sean Beaudoin.
The six Red Lions were members of the Beverly Optimist All-Stars, and came out on the short end of a 6-4 score against the Artslinger All-Stars.
Despite ending up on the losing side, Sawatzky said it was still a good experience for all the players involved.
“We’re very proud of our guys,” he said. “Everyone handled themselves well and definitely had a good showing out there for us.”
