WESTLOCK - Following a tough shutout home loss to the St. Albert Cardinals last week, the Westlock Red Lions now find themselves in a two-way tie atop the North Central Alberta Baseball League, with a third team only a half-game behind.
The 6-0 defeat June 21 at Keller Field leaves the Red Lions and Cardinals in a dead heat at 6-3, while the Parkland Twins also have six victories, but four losses and sit a half-game behind. The Barrhead Orioles stand in fourth at 4-6, while the Fort Saskatchewan Reds remain in the cellar at 1-7.
Player/manager Chris Brand said the 6-0 score definitely flattered the Cardinals, who were able to cash in a handful of unearned runs in the fourth and sixth innings. He said a week-long layout for his club following rainouts of their June 15 and 16 tilts versus the Reds and Twins also didn’t help as their bats were cold and they only generated three hits.
“Our bats were definitely quiet, we just couldn’t put the ball where it needed to go. And we didn’t get many baserunners to even put some pressure on the defence,” said Brand.
This coming week the Red Lions have a home-and-home series versus the Twins and play host June 27 at 7:15 p.m. at Keller Field, then hit the road June 30 for the return tilt, which is a make-up of the June 16 game that got rained out.
NCABL all-star game and Red Lions 50th celebration
For the first time in a long time, Westlock will play host to the year’s league all-star game which is slated for Sunday, July 23, at 2 p.m.
Brand said they’re hoping to have a concession and a beer garden on site that day and would like to see Keller Field packed to capacity.
Brand also said they’re in the middle of planning the celebration for the club’s 50th anniversary which will run during the Westlock Ag Fair Aug. 19-20.
So far, Brand said they’ve got an alumni game on tap for Saturday, then have a Texas scramble golf tournament slated for the following day — more details are expected in the weeks leading up.
