MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- The Moose Jaw Miller Express will undoubtedly be hoping for more of what they saw on Friday night as they play out the rest of the regular season in the Western Canadian Baseball League.
The Express scored seven runs in the second inning against the Swift Current 57’s and never looked back, rolling to a 12-1 victory at Ross Wells Park.
While they’ve locked down a playoff spot, Moose Jaw can still move up the standings with a surge over their final eight games -- the Express are 25-23 on the season and in fourth place in the East Division, a half game back of the Saskatoon Berries and 2 ½ back of the Medicine Hat Mavericks, meaning things could still change when it comes to postseason match-ups.
As the score would indicate, it was a good night at the plate for a handful of Moose Jaw hitters. Nate Mensik went 2-for-4 with two doubles and four runs batted in, while Thomas Soto had a 3-for-5 night that included three runs scored. Marcerio Allen went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBI; Declan O’Hare had a 3-for-5 outing that included his third home run of the season and two RBI.
The Express pitching staff was all but lights out from top to bottom, beginning with starter Jacob Quiles tossing four shutout innings while scattering four hits and striking out three. Cameron Dunn took over in the fifth and pitched two shutout innings before Jafari Williams made his first appearance of the season and pitched a scoreless seventh. Nathan Yunick allowed a run in the eighth, and Moose Jaw Minor Baseball product Owen Csada made his first career appearance to close things out, tossing a scoreless ninth.
Jacob Chandler got the start for the 57’s and allowed eight runs over 1 ⅔ before giving way to Andres Mendez, who allowed another three runs over the next 3 ⅓. Luca Hoerger allowed a run on three hits over the final three innings.
Swift Current had only six hits on the night, with Demetrio Archuleta going 2-for-5, while Jose Alaya made the most of his single hit with a solo home run in the eighth.
The Miller Express are back on the field on Saturday night when they take on the Red Sox in Regina. Next home action is Tuesday in a return match with the Red Sox and the final game of the Trans Canada Clash season series. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.
