Dawgs drop a close one to Moose Jaw

Lewis-Clark State College pitcher Justin Hammergren tossed five strong innings in his debut for the Okotoks Dawgs on Wednesday. Photo: Lewis-Clark State College Athletics

June 12, 2019

By Dan Khavkin

Okotoks Dawgs

Moose Jaw, SASK- A battle of attrition took place in the second game of the three-game set between the visiting Okotoks Dawgs and hosts Moose Jaw Miller Express Wednesday night, with the Millers picking up a 3-2 win despite a push from the Dawgs in the ninth inning.

Both teams only put up 10 hits total, but it was the Millers (6-6) who came out with the win over the Dawgs (8-3).

Lewis-Clark State pitcher Justin Hammergren suited up for the Dawgs for the first time, throwing five innings, surrendering four hits and two runs while striking out eight batters in his Dawgs debut.

Miller Express counter-part Blake Gallagher kept up with Hammergren, throwing six innings and giving up a mere three hits; including a home run while striking out seven en route to the win.

Meadow Lake, Sask., native Brett Esau took the ball deep and over dead centre-field for his second home run of the season in the first inning, continuing the trend of early Okotoks offence as the Dawgs now have 16 total first-inning runs.

Outside of Esau’s dinger, the Dawgs only mustered five hits in the rest of the game.

Moose Jaw drew the game even and then found their first lead of the series in the bottom of the fifth inning on Hammergren’s only mistake of his outing.

A one-out RBI single from Zach Campbell with two-men on, put runners on the corner for the ensuing sac-fly the following at bat from Michael Borst that gave the Miller Express their first lead of the game.

An error from the Dawgs late in the bottom of the eight brought in the third Moose Jaw run of the game, setting up a dramatic ninth inning for the Dawgs.

Okotoks brought a run in on a two-out ground ball that was overthrown, setting up the stage for Davis Todosichuk with runner, Richard Mascarenas, on second base. Todosichuk slapped a base hit to left field but Mascarenas was gunned down at the plate to end the game.

The final game of the series will take place on Thursday with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.