July 19, 2024

By Kevin Glew 

Canadian Baseball Network 

The Okotoks Dawgs pounded the Moose Jaw Miller Express 16-3 in front of 4,898 fans at Seaman Stadium on Friday night. 

Three Dawgs homered in the contest: Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) belted a solo home run in the fifth inning while Lou Anderson (Montreal, Que.) and Barry Eiseman (University of Montevallo) socked three-run blasts in the sixth and seventh innings respectively. 

For Dawgs interim manager Lou Pote, it was a welcome offensive explosion for his club after they had been limited to one run in three of their past five games. 

“Earlier this season, we were swinging really well and then the last week we haven’t swung it as well as we can, so to be able to come out tonight and put up a bunch of runs made for a nice relaxing win,” said Pote.  

The Dawgs’ offence was spread out fairly evenly throughout their lineup. Shortstop Ricardo Sanchez (Lamar University) had three hits, while Tucker Zdunich (High River, Alta.), Jarrett Burney (Reinhardt University), Logan Grant (Chestermere, Alta.) and Aidan Rose (Calgary, Alta.) chipped with two hits apiece. 

Almost lost in the Dawgs’ run-scoring barrage was another strong start by right-hander Brock Townsend (Bellevue University). After allowing a single to Thomas Soto and a double to Nathan Houston (Melville, Sask.) to open the game, the 6-foot right-hander permitted just one more hit in the next five innings.  

It was the third consecutive excellent start for Townsend since returning to the Dawgs on July 5. 

“He has been outstanding every single time he has pitched for us this year, and that’s what you get from him,” said Pote. “He commands four or five pitches and works both sides of the plate and keeps the ball down and he’s on the attack all the time . . . He’s been lights out since he’s been here.” 

Cam Stephens (Linn-Benton Community College), Ryan McFarland (Calgary, Alta.) and Dawgs Academy right-hander Preston Tocheniuk (Okotoks, Alta.) supplied scoreless innings in relief for the Dawgs. 

The Miller Express scored a run in the first and then added two more eighth on an RBI double by Nate Mensik and sacrifice fly from Declan O’Hare. 

The win improves the Dawgs’ record to 30-11. They are a game-and-a-half behind the Sylvan Lake Gulls in the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Western Division standings. 

The WCBL will hold it All-Star Game and Home Run Derby on Saturday.

Other Dawgs Notes: 

-Yes, Preston Tocheniuk is the younger brother of right-hander Quinn Tocheniuk who has made 12 appearances (two starts) for the Dawgs this summer. 

-Outfielder Alejandro Cazorla (Okotoks, Alta).batted leadoff in his return to the Dawgs. He played three previous seasons (2021 to 2023) with the Dawgs but he began this summer with the Bend Elks of the West Coast League before being signed by the Dawgs on Thursday. 

-WWE legend Bret Hart threw out the first pitch. 

-The Dawgs wore their “Town Connect” uniforms for their “We love this town!” promo night. 

-Legendary Canadian baseball coach and Okotoks Dawgs Hall of Fame member Blair Kubicek was on hand to take in the game.