The Red Lions remain undefeated four games into the North Central Alberta Baseball League season.
Playing at home on May 22, the Red Lions knocked off the Edmonton Warriors 5-0, running their record to 4-0 on the year.
“It was a really solid game,” said manager Adam Sawatzky.
Leading the Red Lions’ charge was pitcher Kris Johnson, who twirled a gem of a game in keeping the Warriors off-balance en route to a three-hit, complete-game shutout.
Unlike their last home game, when the Red Lions jumped all over their opponents in a 10-run second inning, it took the home side until the fourth inning to get on the board.
In that inning, Chris Brand flew out to short, before T.J. Oliwa hit a double to be the Red Lions’ third base runner of the game. The next batter, Nathan Swap, hit a single, scoring Oliwa to make it 1-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Red Lions once again got on the board. With two outs, Sean Beaudoin hit a single, and advanced to third on a Brand single. Oliwa followed with a single of his own, scoring Beaudoin to give the Red Lions a 2-0 lead, and moving Brand to second. Swap flew out to left field to end the inning.
The sixth inning saw the Red Lions send eight men to the plate and record three more runs. Aaron Watamaniuk led off with a double, but Stuart Schroeder popped out for the first out. Jordan Brand was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base.
Ryan Teske hit a single, scoring Watamaniuk from second to make it 3-0, and moving Brand to third. After Matt Hutchings struck out, Beaudoin reached first on an error, which allowed Brand to score to make it 4-0.
Chris Brand was up next, and he hit a single that got through the Warriors’ third baseman. Brand’s single allowed Teske to score to make it 5-0.
Sawatzky’s said Oliwa’s double in the fourth inning was what sparked the Red Lions’ offense and helped lead them to the win.
Looking at the season so far, which has included wins on the road against the Edmonton Blackhawks (9-5 on May 12) and the St. Albert Cardinals (12-5 on May 14), Sawatzky said things have been working well.
“It’s been good, we’re in control,” he said.
The Red Lions’ next game is May 29 at home against the Edmonton Athletics. After that, the team hosts its annual Harvey J. Doherty tournament May 31-June 2 at Keller Field.
