The Westlock Red Lions began their season on a high note with a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Blackhawks during their May 9 home opener at Keller Field in Westlock.
It was a tight defensive game between the two teams, who last faced each other when the Blackhawks knocked the Red Lions out of the 2011 North Central Alberta Baseball League semifinals. Ultimately, it was an early run for the Lions that was the difference.
“I was expecting a tough game,” Lions manager Adam Sawatzky said. “The Blackhawks have been at the top of the league for the last couple years and that’s something we’ve talked about.”
The Lions shut down the Blackhawks’ offence in the top of the first inning, quickly gaining their own chance at bat.
Blackhawks pitcher Matt Kukovica walked the Lions’ first batter, Adam Watamaniuk. From there, Trevor Miller hit a stand-up double, bringing the Lions’ catcher around to home plate.
The rest of the game saw tight defence from both teams, with the majority of innings going three up, three down.
Sawatzky found himself in a bit of trouble on the mound in the top of the third, with runners in scoring position on second and third with just one out. Fortunately neither of the next to batters fared very well, and the two runners were stranded.
The rest of the game was mostly uneventful, except for a surprise during the sixth-inning break when Sawatzky successfully proposed to his girlfriend.
Some notable former Lions also took in the home opener: Ryan Rau and Sheldon McConaghy have both moved over to the older Red Lions team, which plays in the 30 plus Alberta West Central Baseball Association.
The Lions will now look for wins during three upcoming away games, including a double-header scheduled for Sunday, May 13 against the Edmonton Jays.
“The Jays are a young team, so we don’t know what to expect with them getting older and maturing as players,” Sawatzky said. “We’re definitely looking to come away with a 3-0 season start. That’s key for us.”
The Lions will then play in Legal May 16 and have a two-week break before they return to Keller Field May 30 to face the Edmonton Athletics.
Sawatzky said he likes the fact the team’s home games are weighted more toward the end of the season, when each game tends to mean more with teams vying for playoff spots.
“I think (home turf) is an advantage. We play really hard here and we play to win,” he said.
