The Westlock Red Lions defeated the St. Albert Cardinals 7-2 on June 18 following the Westlock Minor Ball Association year-end team celebrations at Keller Field.
Prior the game, a year end celebration and awards ceremony was hosted by the Westlock Wild minor ball teams for over 250 minor league baseball players ranging from U7 to U15 teams with several softball teams also at the ceremony.
“It's always nice to have this minor ball night. We did a ball camp with them earlier the year so to see them come out to cheer us on is awesome,” said Red Lions general manager Jordan Brand “it's good to see. It's all about keeping the community.”
Derek Lofstrand was the MVP for the Red Lions with four runs and three hits with Nathan Brown getting two runs and Travis Wagner getting one run. Chris Brand and Sean Beaudoin both hit two runs each.
“We came out hot with the bats, got some runs early, which is nice to give them pressure,” said Brand. “Our pitchers did the rest for us, played some good defense and got some support at the end.”
The Red Lions took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and extended their lead to 3-0 in the third inning. The Cardinals pulled their lead back to 3-2 in the fourth inning with runs by Forrest Tobias and Chase Latta with Peter Shepert leading the team with two hits.
The Red Lions defense was perfect following the fourth inning limiting the Cardinals to no runs. Corson Hanlan led the Red Lions pitching by holding the Cardinals to only two runs over four innings with Ayden Cote shutting out the Cardinals in the final three innings.
The victory was secured by the Red Lions in the sixth inning with Chris Brand getting a hit with the bases loaded to put the Red Lions up by five.
The Red Lions climbed above the Cardinals in the NCABL standings to second place behind the Parkland Twins who have played two less games due to several of their games being postponed.
The Red Lions have a long stretch of road games over the next few weeks with their next game against the Edmonton Angels on Sunday evening with subsequent road games against the Legal Primeaus, Barrhead Orioles, Parkland Twins and a rematch against the Cardinals on July 8. The Red Lions will finally be back at home at Keller Field against the Parkland Twins on July 15.
