If you wanted one stat to summarize the Edmonton Prospects season thus far it is their home and away records. At the friendly confines of RE/MAX Field the Prospects are 14-4. Away from RE/MAX Field the Prospects are 5-16. The overall record of the Prospects dipped back under .500 after a 9-5 road loss to the Okotoks Dawgs on Sunday afternoon. The Dawgs come to Edmonton Tuesday night, let’s see if the Prospects can use home field advantage to return to .500.
The Prospects opened up the scoring in the matinee affair in the top of the 4th inning. Eric Crain drew a 2-out walk and promptly stole 2nd base. Beaux Guilbeau collected his 10th RBI of the season singling home Crain. The hit extends Guilbeau’s personal hit streak to 7 games.
Coming off a complete game, 2-hit shutout versus the Brooks Bombers, Prospects starting pitcher Rich Walker held the Dawgs scoreless until the 4th inning. Unfortunately when the Dawgs did start to score against Walker, Head Coach Ray Brown would be forced to go his bullpen just to get out of the inning. A RBI triple by William Hollis ended Walker’s afternoon after 3 and 2/3 innings and the score 4-1.
Chase Morris relieved Walker on the Prospects mound. The first batter Morris faced drove in Hollis closing the books on Walker. Morris, who had a rough outing versus the Dawgs back on July 8th,
saw his defence come up large for him in the bottom of the 5th.
Humeniuk thrown out at home trying to score from first on a double by Patterson. Dawgs still up 5-1
— Okotoks Dawgs (@Okotoks_Dawgs) July 22, 2020
Hollis earned a RBI off of his 2nd Prospects pitcher in the 6th inning after hitting a 1-out double making the score 6-1 Dawgs. Morris’ final line finished at 2 innings played allowing 1 run on 6 hits. A step in the right direction for the young lad.
Josh Sieglitz came in to get the final out of the 6th and pitched a shutout 7th inning for the Prospects.
In the top of the 7th, the Prospects scored two runs to make it 6-3. With 2-out Jake MacDonald and AJ Nitzschke singled then Aidan Huggins was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded Tony Olson got aboard via a defensive error that allowed MacDonald and Nitzschke to cross the plate.
Jordan Smith, who had a good showing versus the Dawgs on July 8th, struggled when he took over the Prospects mound in the bottom of the 8th. 3 walks issued and 2 singles allowed culminated in 3 Dawgs runs making the score 9-3 in their favour.
The Prospects did not go quietly into the night! Zane Takhar drew a lead-off walk in the final frame. With 2-out Percy Liu drew a walk then Nick Spillman singled to load the bases. Crain would bring home Takhar and Liu and bring the Prospects to within four making the score a bit more respectable at 9-5. Dolly Parton would be proud.
Eric Crain with the big 2-RBI hit in the 9th inning wins the Player Of The Game nod.
Toonie Tuesday July 24 vs Okotoks Dawgs 7PM
Wednesday July 25 in Medicine Hat (conclusion of July 19 game also scheduled to be played)
July 26 and 27 in Lethbridge
FINAL WEEKEND OF THE REGULAR SEASON
Saturday July 28 - Country Night - hosting Fort McMurray 7PM
Sunday July 29 - Fan Appreciation Day - hosting Fort McMurray 2:05PM