July 20, 2019

By Dan Khavkin

Okotoks Dawgs

MELVILLE, Sask.- A mechanical malfunction on the Okotoks Dawgs’ team bus on Friday pushed their series opening game against the Melville Millionaires to Saturday night, where they picked up their second consecutive extra-inning win with a gritty 5-3 victory.

Southeastern Community College catcher Gavin Logan came through with a clutch, two-run single for the Dawgs in the 10th inning to seal the win.

Point University hurler Billy Brand provided a quality start for the Dawgs, allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings while striking out eight.

Thompson Rivers product Liam Rihela opened the scoring for the Dawgs with his fourth home run of the season with a lead-off shot in the third inning to give his club an early 1-0 lead.

After holding the Millionaires scoreless for the first three innings, Brand allowed three extra-base hits and two runs in the fourth, as the home squad took a 2-1 lead.

Bellevue University first baseman Riley Baasch tied the game for the Dawgs in the sixth with an RBI single before Okanagan College senior Davis Todosichuk drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to give the Dawgs a 3-2 lead.

The Millionaires tied the game on a bases-loaded walk from Brand in the seventh inning.

Bellevue University relief pitcher and Calgary, Alta. native Brandon Desjardins then entered the contest and got an inning-ending double play to get the Dawgs out of the jam.

Both teams were held off the scoreboard until the 10th inning when the Dawgs loaded the bases and Logan rapped out a clutch two-out, two-run single to give his club a 5-3 lead.

Mesa Community College closer Dustin Schorie entered the game in the bottom of the 10th and recorded the final three outs to secure his seventh save of the season.

A seven-inning game will take place Sunday at 2:05 p.m. before the series finale is played at 5:05 p.m.