June 26, 2019

By Dan Khavkin

Okotoks Dawgs

Brooks, AB – After suffering their first road loss to the Brooks Bombers in their franchise history in their last meeting, the Okotoks Dawgs picked up a 9-4 win over the Bombers at Elks Field on Wednesday.

"We gave innings away last game and knew we can't do that at their place. We scored in six of nine innings which was the difference tonight," said Dawgs coach Mitch Schmidt.

Three different Dawgs hit home runs during Wednesday’s game, while Lewis-Clark State hurler Justin Hammergren started and picked up his second win. In five innings, he allowed only three hits and struck out two batters.

Dawgs Academy 18U prospect Matt Wilkinson made his second appearance for the senior team, stepping onto the mound in the bottom of the sixth and pitching an inning in relief.

The Dawgs (18-5) had a strong start, sending nine batters to the plate during the first inning. Chandler-Gilbert product Tristan Peters launched the second pitch of the game over the right-field fence to reclaim the team-lead in home runs with his seventh. Peters also holds the league lead in RBIs with 23.

The Dawgs continued to carry the momentum, adding two more runs in the inning.

After Brooks (6-17) scored a run in the bottom half, UBC infielder Jaxon Valcke belted his first home run - a two-run shot - as a Dawg in the second inning. University of Nebraska shortstop Shay Schanaman, socked the Dawgs’ third home run of the game with his solo shot in the third.

Texas State infielder Will Hollis accounted for the seventh Okotoks run with his sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Both Brooks and the Dawgs added a run each off wild itches before Linn-Benton outfielder Jacob Melton brought in the last Okotoks’ run with an RBI double in the ninth.

The Dawgs now travel back to Okotoks to start a three-game set at Seaman Stadium against the Regina Red Sox to open Canada Day weekend with the first pitch set for Thursday at 7:05 p.m.