Dawgs win seventh straight
Nolan Ruff allowed just one run in seven innings for the Okotoks Dawgs on Thursday. Photo: Perfect Game
June 6, 2019
By Dan Khavkin
Okotoks Dawgs
Lethbridge, AB- A solid performance from the bump helped the Okotoks Dawgs (7-0) reach a seventh heaven with their 9-5 win over WCBL division rival Lethbridge Bulls (3-4) Thursday night. The Dawgs snap the season-high three-game win streak of the Bulls while improving their undefeated run to seven games.
Mesa Community College hurler Nolan Ruff got the nod against the Bulls and picked up the win in his first appearance of the season.
Ruff pitched a solid seven innings, surrendering seven hits, one run while striking out seven on route to the win.
He had plenty of support on the other side of the mound as an outburst on offence to start the game along with the flexing of power swings, effectively sealed the win for the Dawgs.
Three different Okotoks players went yard during the victory over the Bulls.
The short but deadly outburst saw lead-off man and Thompson Rivers second baseman Liam Rihela reach third base on a triple. He was cashed in by University of Houston third baseman Brett Esau before an RBI double from UBC product Jaxon Valcke doubled the Dawgs’ lead.
Texas State first baseman and DH Will Hollis blasted a two-run moonshot over the 400-foot sign in deep centre field, good for his fourth home run of the season to conclude the burst of offence.
The Dawgs never had a worry as a four-spot on the board in the first continues a habit for the high-calibre and scorching hot Okotoks offence who have now batted in 13 runs in the first inning through seven games.
A solo bomb from catcher Riley Baasch deep to left field during the top half of the fourth inning and a fielder’s choice from Jacob Melton in the fifth gave the Dawgs a 6-0 lead before the Bulls pulled a run back on an RBI single from Brett Mercier.
Tristan Peters padded the lead with his three-run dinger that cleared the right-field fence in the eighth inning.
Andrew Yates replaced Ruff at the bottom of the eighth inning and pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning before Kaleb Huxford entered the game and found himself in a loaded base situation.
The Bulls racked up four quick runs on him, but it wasn’t enough. Closer Billy Brand entered the game and struck out the final batter of the game.
The Dawgs will look to complete the sweep of Lethbridge back at home on Friday, with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m at Seaman Stadium.