|
Using Wheat Province Diamonds as a source
(Paul Hack & Dave Shury) Rich Necker has put together a brief
pre-1948 history
of the Southern League and follows with game by game reports on the 1948
season.
Except for
a few brief interruptions during the Second World War, the Southern
League operated continuously from 1931 to 1974 and has to be
acknowledged as the most successful and longest-running baseball league
in Saskatchewan's history.
In 1931,
the first year of Southern League play, five teams entered the fray with
the Moose Jaw Canucks coming out on top as champions. For five straight
seasons, from 1932 to 1936, the Regina Nationals prevailed as Southern
League titleholders. The Weyburn Beavers, in only their second summer in
the league, captured 1937 laurels. A powerful Broadview Buffaloes
contingent easily walked away with the honors in 1938, the final
campaign before the effects of the war years would be felt.
The
outbreak of war in 1939 brought an early halt to that season's
play as, upon completion of the regular schedule, no playoffs were
staged and no champion crowned. However, play resumed to a limited
extent the following spring when the Weyburn Beavers won back-to-back
1940 and 1941 titles at a time when rosters for all teams were thin. In
1942, military service teams based in Regina, participated in the
Southern League and the Regina Red Sox took away top prize, defeating
Notre Dame in the finals.
The
Southern League did not operate in 1943 although there was a Regina City
league with local, district and service squads represented.
Following
the break in 1943, the 1944 season commenced with four teams, one of which,
the Army Provost, was forced to withdraw early in the campaign. A new
team, the Regina Caps, filled the void and captured the title. In 1945,
the Weyburn Beavers re-joined the league and won all the marbles,
besting the Regina Army.
World War
II, on both the European and Pacific fronts having ended in 1945, meant
the resumption of normal conditions in 1946 and the Southern League
expanded to eight teams within two divisions (Notre Dame, Moose Jaw, Regina
Caps and Regina Red Sox) in the West while (Regina Clippers, Wilcox ,
Weyburn and Regina Legion) comprised the East. The playoffs dragged on
well into the fall and didn't conclude until October 6th when the Regina
Clippers won the spoils over Moose Jaw. eight teams again took part in 1947.
Two new teams, Long Lake and the Regina Pontiacs, replaced the Regina
Caps and Regina Legion, again in a divisional set-up although this time
the units were North and South. When the playoff dust had cleared, the
Weyburn Beavers were left standing as the 1947 Southern League victors.
In 1948, 5 of the 8 teams which were part of the 1947
circuit (Moose Jaw Canucks, Notre Dame Hounds, Regina Red Sox, Weyburn
Beavers and Wilcox Cardinals) returned to the fold under the same
banner. Another 1947 team known as the Long Lake Eagles now became known
as the Liberty Eagles. Two of the three 1947 franchises from Regina
(Regina Clippers and Regina Pontiacs) disbanded and were replaced by the
Regina Caps and a second entry from Moose Jaw, the expansion Purity
99's, also known as the Oilmen, joined the fray.
Highlight of the season - Perfect game thrown by
Weyburn pitcher Gaylen Shupe on June 18th
Rosters of the eight member teams in the 1948 Southern
League.
Liberty Eagles - Arnold Ross "Lefty" P, Ehmann
B. 1B, Ehmann J. CF, Evenson, Denny 2B, Englehardt Ken 3B/SS, Gardner,
Gebhard 3B/2B, Hill OF/C, Johnson P/OF, Levere Clarence SS, Martin
Warren 1B, McLane "Shorty" C, McNabb E. OF, McNabb M. OF, McNabb R. OF,
Prosofski C, Thorseth Cy P/OF, Wintemute.
Moose Jaw Canucks - Boyce Harold "Curly" OF,
Carr Lloyd OF, Carr Lorne OF, Compton Lloyd P, Cronk Lou OF, Devine Jack
P, Emerson Bill OF, Gillies Don "Slugger" 1B, Grossman Johnny P, Hryciuk
Johnny 1B, Jones Ken SS, Lang Eddie 2B/OF, McConigal OF, Mitchell Neil
SS, Mowbray Jack C, Nutzhorn Ray CF, Phillips Ozzie OF, Reich OF,
Reynoldson John "Smokey" P, Ryall Art 2B/3B, Sabo Lou 3B/P, Sissons Ted
OF, Smith Glen "Baldy" OF/2B, Smith Wally C, Spooner OF, Stein Harvey 2B, Straub Art
"Lefty" P, Wood Ray 1B, Wright OF.
Moose Jaw Oilmen - (also known as the Purity
99's in Moose Jaw as per their sponsor) - Ashworth Ken OF, Devine Don P,
Dunne Normie SS, Erfle Albert "Lefty" P, Foord Ted 2B, Greenman George
P, Inkster Gord P, Jones Ray 3B, Kohlstedt Art P, Lovett Gwynne OF,
Lovett Herb OF, Martin Stan "Stubby" C, McNamee Andy OF, Naka Tony 2B,
Olmstead Bert 3B/P, Polupski Pete 1B, Starrak Jim C, Toddington Norm 3B,
Torgeson Elmer P.
Notre Dame Hounds - Beattie Ralph 3B/OF,
Becker Walt SS, Brown Norm C/IF, Dombowsky Hugo P, Dornstauder Hank OF,
Germann Frank 1B/P, Hoag Dude P, Huck Cy OF/P, Huck Murray OF, Kerley
Dick P/OF, Kines Del OF, Wolstencroft Barry 1B.
Regina Caps - Fulton Jackie CF, Glasser Sully
SS, Gerein Chris P, Kyle Bill 3B, Kyle Gus C, Lauer Lambert "Lefty" P,
McLeod 1B, Merlevede Roger OF, Righetti Tony 2B, Salemski OF, Salensak
Alex OF, Schmidt Muttsy OF, Scott OF, Silverman P, Smith Frank 1B,
Staley Al "Red" OF/SS (started the season with the Regina Red Sox),
Terry Dick OF/P, Vogt Al P, Wooley Lloyd "Schoolboy" P.
Regina Red Sox - Abel Ted IF/P, Bell Huddy,
Charlton Ken LF, Cullen George OF, Eisler B. SS, Eisler Ritchie 2B,
Evans Fred OF, Foster Athol P, Harrison Cliff P, Harrison "Red" OF/3B,
Hoeft Fritz, Hooper Jim 1B, Knutson Gord 3B/SS, McCleneghan Ralph P,
McFarlane Jack "Foo" 1B, McLean Jim OF/2B, Mearns Doug OF, Mitton Gord
C, Montgomery P/SS, Morrison OF, Roundy SS, Salloum Roger "Spear" 3B,
Stager SS, Warwick Grant 2B..
Weyburn Beavers - Burge Jim OF, Covert Keith
OF/P, Ekdahl Elmer C, Henderson Billy OF, Klashinsky OF, Norman OF,
Shupe Blaine SS, Shupe Doug OF, Shupe Gayle P, Shupe Jack IF, Thompson
Charlie C, Torgenrud Mel P, White Don C/1B, Wilder Les 1B.
Wilcox Cardinals - Buttgereit Walter P/IF,
Chadwick Norm OF, Clements G. "Brownie" C, Drew George P, Downton Aubrey
P/OF, Downton Ernie 1B, Kirkpatrick Jim SS/P, Lawrence Larry "Lorne" OF,
Metz Don IF/P, Metz Nick SS, Metz Robert "Bob" 3B, Nagel OF. Pratt 2B,
Schwindt Ted C, Squires Clint OF, Weisshaar Carl C, Wiebe Irv 2B.
1948 Game Summaries
(May 29) In opening round Southern League
action, the Regina Caps thumped the Moose Jaw Canucks 10 - 5. The
Capital city crew showed terrific power in every department, blasting
three
Canuck pitchers for 15 hits. Bill Kyle led the Caps' assault with
three hits including a home run and a double. Also with three safeties were
Frank Smith and Sully Glasser. High schooler
Lloyd Wooley hurled a brilliant six-hitter for the Caps to pick
up the win. Canucks' starter and loser Lefty Straub was
driven from the mound in the 3rd.
Wooley (W) and G. Kyle
Straub (L), J. Devine (3), Compton (7) and Smith
(May 29) A new Southern League entry, the
Moose Jaw Oilmen, behind the stellar chucking of Elmer Torgeson,
won their very first game blanking the Regina Red Sox 7 - 0. Torgeson
was pretty well the show as he fanned 13 and gave up only five hits in
posting the shutout win. The Red Sox sent Athol Foster to
the hill but he was unable to silence the bats of the Oilmen and was
pulled in favor of Ralph McCleneghan who also struggled.
Center fielder Gwynne Lovett, catcher Stubby
Martin, third baseman Ray Jones and second sacker
Ted Foord all had two hits for the Oilmen (a.k.a the Purity
99's).
Torgeson (W) and Martin
Foster (L), McCleneghan (6) and Mitton
(May 30) In a close encounter at Liberty,
the hometown Eagles dropped a 3 - 1 decision to the Wilcox Cardinals.
Three Cardinal chuckers, led by starter Walter Buttgereit who
whiffed ten in his four innings of work, limited the Eagles to just four hits.
Loser Lefty Arnold went five innings for Liberty. Wilcox catcher
Carl Weisshaar, who broke a finger during the game, led the Redbirds
offensively with three hits.
Buttgereit, A. Downton (W) (5), Drew (9) and
Weisshaar
Arnold (L), Wintermute (6) and Prosofeki
(May 30) The Weyburn Beavers opened the season
on a winning note by tearing into the Notre Dame Hounds to the tune of 7
- 0. Gayle Shupe went the route for the Beavers, striking out ten
along the way. The Hounds outhit Weyburn 7 - 6 but erratic play in the
field had them in trouble throughout the contest. The leading hitters
were Blaine Shupe of the Beavers along with Norm
Brown and Barry Wolstencroft of the collegians who
each had two.
G. Shupe (W), Torgenrud (5) and Thompson
Kerley (L), C. Huck (6) and Brown
(June 2) Trailing by one run and being held in
check by the pitching of the Beavers' Mel Torgenrud, the Regina
Caps scored single tallies in the bottom of the 7th and 8th to defeat an
effervescent and stubborn Weyburn squad 6 - 5. Caps' starter Chris
Gerein picked up the victory although struggling for most of the
eight innings he worked. Jackie Fulton's squeeze bunt brought
home the winning run for the Reginans. Top hitter in the game was the
Soo Liners' Gayle Shupe with three safeties. Tony
Righetti homered for the Caps.
Torgenrud (L) and White
Gerein (W), Silverman (9) and G. Kyle
(June 2) The Oilmen of Moose Jaw staged a 9th
inning rally to nose out the Regina Red Sox 10 - 9. In a thrilling story
book finish, third baseman Ray Jones smashed out a long double to
score Ted Foord with the winning run. Elmer
Torgeson, Moose Jaw's right handed starter, had a comfortable lead
when he relinquished mound chores to Don Devine in the
7th. Devine got nicked for six hits and six runs in the final three frames that
saw the Sox knot the count at 9 - 9. Leading the 17 hit Purity 99's
attack were middle infielders Tony Naka and Normie
Dunne with three apiece. Catcher Gord Mitton of the Sox
also had three safeties. Lefthander Cliff Harrison, who
surrendered pinch-hitter Foord's 9th inning hit, was tagged with the
loss.
C. Harrison (L), McCleneghan (9) and Mitton
Torgeson, D. Devine (W) (7) and Starrak
(June 3) The Swift Current nine topped
the barnstorming coloured team from Oklahoma 7-6. Cliff Beisel
registered the pitching victory.
xxx and xxx
Beisel (W) and Phillips
(June 4) Led by Blaine Shupe who pounded
out four hits in five trips to the plate and big Les Wilder who
went 3 for 5, the Weyburn Beavers trounced the Moose Jaw Canucks 8 - 3.
Wilder's 6th inning three run homer was the decisive clout in this game,
turning the tide for the winning Beavers. Keith Covert
pitched well for the winning Beavers holding the Canucks to five hits.
Moose Jaw's starter Lefty Straub lasted into the 7th and
took the loss.
Straub (L), Sabo (7) and Smith
Covert (W) and Thompson
(June 4) Moose Jaw's young and hustling Oilmen
and the Regina Caps played to a 10 inning 1 - 1 stalemate in the first
meeting this season between both undefeated teams. Both squads scored
their lone tallies early and then the game settled into a tightly
defensive mode. Lloyd "Schoolboy" Wooley went the distance for
the Caps, fanning 11 and setting the Purity 99's down on four hits. Gord
Inkster and Don Devine shared mound duties for the
Oilmen. Sully Glasser of the Caps was the only batsman on
either team with more than one hit, banging out a brace. The game
was called after ten innings because of darkness.
Inkster, D. Devine (5) and Starrak,
Martin (5)
Wooley and G. Kyle
(June 8) The Regina Caps kept their Southern
League winning streak intact by taking a close 3 - 2 verdict from the
stubborn Weyburn Beavers in a hurling duel between Regina's Lloyd
"Schoolboy" Wooley and Weyburn veteran Gayle Shupe.
The turning point in this joust came in the 4th when the Beavers came up
with some loose play to allow the Caps to score a pair of unearned runs.
Both clubs collected seven hits, two each by both the Kyle brothers
of the Caps and two apiece by the Beavers' Gayle Shupe and
Don White.
Wooley (W) and G. Kyle
G. Shupe (L) and White
(June 9) The Wilcox Cardinals kept pace with
the unbeaten class when they knocked over the Weyburn Beavers 3 - 2.
Aubrey Downton tossed a neat six-hitter, giving up only two unearned
runs, in picking up the victory. Clint Squires with 3 for
3 led the winner's 11 hit attack against loser Keith Covert.
Covert (L) and White
A. Downton (W) and Clements
(June 9) In a clash of two winless clubs, the
Moose Jaw Canucks racked up their initial victory of the Southern
League's young season turning back the Regina Red Sox 1 - 0 in a tight
pitching matchup between Moose Jaw newcomer Johnny Grossman and
the Red Sox' Ralph McCleneghan. Both hurlers struck out
six
and walked four. The only run came in the last of the 8th when Canuck
catcher Wally Smith was walked and scored on Neil
Mitchell's triple. Doug Mearns of the Sox and 17
year old Glen "Baldy" Smith of the Canucks both had two hits.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Grossman (W) and W. Smith
(June 10) "Baseball's
popularity in Regina hit a new high Wednesday night when the
biggest throng in several years (over 1,400 paid) turned up at
Taylor Field to see Cliff
Ehrle and his Caps nosed out 6-5 by the
colored Muskogee Cardinals, first touring team to appear this
summer." (Regina
Leader-Post, June 10, 1949) Caps
had shaded the visitors 6-5 in 10 innings in an afternoon contest
before a crowd of 500.
A four-run outburst in the 5th
inning carried Muskogee to the win in the evening contest.
Cardinals capitalized on three singles and a pair of errors.
Danny Thomas scattered 11 hits to get the win.
Thomas
(W) and T Taylor
Terry (L) and G Kyle
In the opener, Bill Kyle's
single to centre in the 10th inning scored Sully Glasser
with the winning run. Chris Gerein went the
route for the win, besting Ray Woosley. Tony
Righetti homered for the Caps while Jackie Fulton
had three hits.
Woosley
(L) and T Taylor
Gerein (W) and G Kyle
(June 11) The Regina Caps dumped the
Wilcox Cardinals 8 - 2, sending the visitors from the unbeaten
class while retaining their own unblemished record. Cards'
starter Walter Buttgereit got a rude welcome from
the Queen City hosts as he was battered for 15 hits as the Caps
pounced on him in every inning. Meanwhile, Lloyd "Schoolboy"
Wooley had his southpaw slants working well, tossing a
six-hitter and remaining undefeated in three league starts. Caps'
backstop Gus Kyle was the big poison with a 3 for
5 performance including a home run and four RBI's. Nick
Metz and Brownie Clements had the most success
for the Redbirds with a pair of hits apiece.
Buttgereit (L) and Clements
Wooley (W) and G. Kyle
(June 12) The Notre Dame Hounds won their first
of the season, narrowly defeating the Regina Red Sox 7 - 6. The luckless
Sox romped away to an early lead off the Hounds' Cy Huck
but couldn't hold it as the collegians found the range on Cliff
"Lefty" Harrison in the 7th and pounded him for three runs. Red Sox had
the bases loaded with none out in the bottom of the 9th but failed to
score the tying run after a terrific outfield catch and resulting double
play by Hank Dornstauder. Barry Wolstencroft
and Ralph Beattie both stroked a pair of hits for the
winners. First sacker Jim Hooper led the Crimson Hose
attack with three safeties.
C. Huck (W) and Brown
C. Harrison (L) and Mitton
(June 12) In the first ever meeting of the two intra-city rivals, the new and upstart Moose Jaw Oilmen knocked over the
established Moose Jaw Canucks 6 - 3 in an error studded contest.
Lefty Straub started for the Canucks but four hits and five errors
in the first inning quickly sent him to the showers and Jack
Devine took over to go the rest of the way. Meanwhile, Elmer
Torgeson was putting up a six hit show for the Purity 99's to
record his third victory of the season. He also chipped in with two hits..
For the Canucks, Don Gillies and Ted Sissons
also had a duo of safeties.
Straub (L), J. Devine (1) and W. Smith
Torgeson (W) and Starrak, Martin
(June 13) The Regina Red Sox took it on the
chin for their 5th consecutive loss as the hometown Liberty Eagles won
their first in two starts by squeaking past the Reginans 7 - 6. Liberty
rolled up six runs in the first three frames and, from there on in, it was an
uphill battle for the Sox. Eagles' starter Cy Thorseth,
although giving way to Lefty Arnold for one inning, picked
up the win. Ralph McCleneghan was tagged with the loss.
Denny Evenson and Shorty McLane led the Eagles
with three hits apiece while the Red Sox' Gordie Knutson had a
brace of safeties.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Thorseth (W), Arnold (6), Thorseth (7) and McLane
(June 13) The Notre Dame Hounds toppled the
previously unbeaten Moose Jaw Oilmen 5 - 3 to improve their record to
two
wins against one loss in Southern League play. The Hounds fell behind
fell behind 3 - 0 but battled back to square the count in the 7th and
found the winning margin in the 8th. Veteran Frank Germann
went the route, limiting the Purity 99's to six hits, two by catcher Jim
Starrak. Moose Jaw hurling import Art Kohlstedt
also pitched a complete game and took the loss. Outfielder Del
Kines had three hits for the winning Dogs.
Kohlstedt (L) and Starrak
Germann (W) and Brown
(June 16) Fighting all the way, the Moose Jaw
Canucks came from behind to shade the Weyburn Beavers 5 - 4 in a
thrilling 10 inning contest. The Canucks were down 4 - 1 late in the
game but came back to score two in the 8th and get the equalizer in the
9th to force extra innings. The Canucks' winning tally in the 10th was
unearned as Bill Emerson reached base on an error, stole
second and romped home on Neil Mitchell's sharp infield
blow. Both chuckers, Lefty Compton of the Canucks and
Weyburn's Mel Torgenrud, went the route. The only batters
with more than one safety in this game were Weyburn's Don
White and Les Wilder, both with a pair.
Torgenrud (L) and White
Compton (W) and W. Smith
(June 16) The tail-end Regina Red Sox finally
joined the ranks of the victorious. Behind the neat six hit tossing of
Athol Foster, the Redlegs cooled off the surging Notre Dame
Hounds with a convincing 16 - 2 triumph. The Hounds were never in the
game as the Reginans notched 14 runs in the first four frames and coasted
from there, Dogs' starter Hugo Dombowsky didn't get out of
the 2nd inning as he and mop up reliever Cy Huck were
pasted for 16 Red Sox hits. Leading the Sox attack were Doug
Mearns and Jim Hooper with three hits. Catcher Norm
Brown had two safeties for the losing collegians.
Dombowsky (L), C. Huck (2) and Brown, Kines
(7)
Foster (W) and Mitton
In other good news for the Red Sox, officials of the
Southern League advised them that their protest in a June 2nd 10 - 9
defeat at the hands of the Moose Jaw Purity 99's had been allowed and
that the game would be replayed.
(June 17) Moose Jaw's young Purity 99's
wrapped up their third victory in four starts when they whipped the Liberty
Eagles 9 - 3 to tighten their grip on second place in the Southern
League. Elmer Torgeson relieved starter Art
Kohlstedt and held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the game to get
the win. Center fielder Gwynne Lovett's big bat led an 11
hit Moose Jaw attack against side-armer Cy Thorseth,
slamming out three hits and driving in four runs. Big brother Herb
Lovett, Ray Jones and Pete Polupski each
chipped in with two base knocks for the Oilmen. One of Jones' blasts was a
four bagger. Warren Martin had a pair of hits for Liberty.
Thorseth (L) and McLane
Kohlstedt, Torgeson (W) (3) and Martin
(June 18) Veteran Gayle Shupe
pitched a perfect game, facing the minimum 27 batters, in leading the
Weyburn Beavers past the Wilcox Cardinals by a 3 - 0 count. Not a single
Cardinal reached first base as Shupe was masterful in this outing,
fanning ten along the way. Aub Downton of Wilcox didn't
pitch that badly but, on this particular evening, he was completely
outclassed. Beavers' first baseman Les Wilder did the
major offensive damage with a 4 for 4 hitting barrage.
A. Downton (L) and Clements
G. Shupe (W) and Thompson
(June 18) Chris Gerein was
scintillating in throwing a three-hit shutout for the unbeaten Regina Caps
as they bested the Moose Jaw Canucks 4 - 0. Batting leader Gus
Kyle added to his average by pounding out 3 for 4. The Caps had a
slim 1- 0 lead against losing southpaw Lloyd Compton until
Frank Smith's triple in the 6th put the game on ice.
Compton (L) and W. Smith
Gerein (W) and G. Kyle
(June 19) The Regina Red Sox picked up their
second consecutive win by bumping the Liberty Eagles 7 - 2. Cliff
"Lefty" Harrison fanned 16 in picking up the four-hit win. The Sox
pounded loser Denny Evenson to go into an early seven run lead
and never looked back. Sox second baseman Jim McLean paced
the winners with three hits.
Evenson (L), Arnold (6) and McLane
C. Harrison (W) and Mitton
(June 19) The Wilcox Cardinals hung it on the
league leading and previously unbeaten Regina Caps 2 - 1 as Wilcox
starter Jim Kirkpatrick, making his first start of the season,
bested the Caps' Lloyd Wooley in a tight encounter. The
Caps led 1 - 0 until the Cards rallied for two 8th inning markers to
pull the game out of the fire. Walter Buttgereit of Wilcox
and the Caps' trio of Roger Merlevede, Sully
Glasser and Tony Righetti all had two hits in this
contest.
Wooley (L) and G. Kyle
Kirkpatrick (W) and Clements
(June 20) In a free swinging affair, the Notre
Dame Hounds piled up 20 base hits to 15 by their Mill City opponents and
pounded the Moose Jaw Canucks 16 - 9 in a game that was anything but
kind to the pitchers. Jack Devine of the Canucks and Notre
Dame's Frank Germann both toiled on the hill for the
entire game in spite of the offensive onslaught. Del Kines
of the Diamond Dogs and Ray Nutzhorn of the Canucks each
had four hits.
J. Devine (L) and W. Smith
Germann (W) and Kines
League Statistics as of June 21
Batting
AB H AVE
G. Kyle - Regina Caps 25 13
.520
Kines - Notre Dame
21 10 .476
G. Lovett - Moose Jaw Oilmen 15 7 .467
Smith - Regina Caps
16 7 .437
Brown - Notre Dame
19 8 .421
Martin - Moose Jaw Oilmen 10 4 .400
Starrak - Moose Jaw Oilmen 8 3 .375
Wilder - Weyburn
27 10 .370
Squires - Wilcox
19 7 .368
McLane - Liberty
11 4 .364
Evenson - Liberty
14 5 .357
Merlevede - Regina Caps 20 7 .350
Glasser - Regina Caps 26
9 .346
G. Shupe - Weyburn
27 9 .333
Knutson - Regina Red Sox 27 9 .333
Mearns - Regina Red Sox 21 7 .333
Nutzhorn - Moose Jaw Canucks 15 5 .333
Torgeson - Moose Jaw Oilmen 9 3 .333
Pitching
W L PCT
Elmer Torgeson - M. Jaw Oilmen 3 0 1.000
Chris Gerein - Regina Caps 2 0 1.000
Frank Germann - Notre Dame 2 0 1.000
Lloyd Wooley - Regina Caps 3 1 .750
(June 22) The Weyburn Beavers gave Red Sox
pitching a rough ride as they trimmed the Reginans 9 - 1. The Beavers
got to starting hurler Ralph McCleneghan for 12 hits
including a first inning homer by Gayle Shupe. The Red Sox
could only collect five hits, all singles, off the offerings of winning
hurler Mel Torgenrud. Keith Couvert led the
Beavers' attack with 3 for 4.
McCleneghan (L), C. Harrison (6) and Mitton
Torgenrud (W) and Thompson
(June 22) "When
bigger and better ball parks are built in Regina, the effervescent
House of David and Kansas City Monarchs will probably fill
them. They gave Taylor Field something to remember them by
Tuesday night and brought back nostalgic memories of pre-war days
as 3,500 customers (paying variety) stormed the gates, spewed over
from the bleachers down the base lines and into deep centre
field. It was almost a mob scene that greeted touring
baseball's top-drawer clubs." (Regina
Leader-Post, June 23, 1948)
Monarchs rallied for two runs in
the 8th and another pair in the bottom of the 9th to pull out a
5-4 victory. First baseman Merle Porter drove in the
winner. Lee Moody, who had three hits for the
Monarchs, drove in the tying marker. Mickey Stubblefield
picked up the win with a sterling relief effort which included
eleven strikeouts in the six innings he worked.
Fine
(L), Wagner (9) and Bucher
Buckner, Stubblefield (W) (4) and Wright, Peeples (6)
(June 23) Kansas City
Monarchs scored six runs in the first two frames and held on to
down House of David 9-6 before 3,500 fans at Regina. Lee
Moody again paced the Monarchs. He had four hits,
including a home run and a double to knock in four runs. Johnny
(Sonny Boy) Williams went the distance for the win.
Williams
(W) and Peeoples
Wagner (L), Dunaway (5) and Bucher
(June 25) Backing up Johnny
Grossman's neat mound chore with some lusty hitting, the Moose Jaw
Canucks scored an easy 8 - 2 triumph over the listless Regina Red Sox.
Grossman was never in trouble, fanning ten while giving up seven scattered
singles. His mates touched Lefty Harrison for six markers in
six innings and reliever Ralph McCleneghan for two more.
Lou Sabo and Wally Smith connected for round
trippers for the Canucks in pacing the attack.
C. Harrison (L), McCleneghan (7) and Mitton
Grossman (W) and W. Smith
(June 27) The Moose Jaw Oilmen strengthened their
hold on second place by edging the Wilcox Cardinals 4 - 3. The Purity
99's picked up the winning tally in the 9th to walk away with the
spoils, leaving them one game back of the pace setting Regina Caps.
Elmer Torgeson, in relief of the Oilers' starter Don
Devine, notched the victory. Cards' Aubrey Downton
took the loss. Andy McNamee went 3 for 4 for Moose Jaw.
Walter Buttgereit homered for the Redbirds.
D. Devine, Torgeson (W) (4) and Starrak
Drew, A. Downton (L) (2) and Clements
(June 28) George
Ligon's colored All-Stars whipped Regina Red Sox 12-1 pounding out
17 hits against three Regina pitchers. Roy White
tossed a five-hitter for the All-Stars fanning 16. Jackie
Brown led the Ligon's at the plate with four hits.
White
(W) and J Brown
Foster (L), R Harrison (4), C Harrison (7) and McFarland
(June 29) Regina Caps,
with a huge assist from Johnny Johnson of the Ligon
All-Stars, picked up top prize of $300 at the Lanigan
baseball tournament. Johnson, on loan to the Caps, pitched
27 straight innings to lead Regina to three victories and the
championship. After Quill Lake got to Caps' starter Chris
Gerein for three runs in the 3rd inning of the first game, Johnson
took over and the Caps went on to a 7-4, 12 inning triumph.
Johnson then shutout Liberty Eagles 4-0 in the semi-final and went
the distance in the final as Regina topped Sioux Indians
8-3. Two more Ligon's, Sterling Fuller and Cleveland
Grant, along with Gordie Knutson of the
Regina Red Sox bolstered the Caps' lineup.
(June 30) The Weyburn Beavers rolled over the
lowly Regina Red Sox by a 15 - 5 count. Weyburn's Mel
Torgenrud limited the Sox to five scattered hits while the Beavers
pounded Red Sox' Lefty Harrison and reliever Montgomery
for 14 base raps. Keith Covert led the Beavers with three hits
and three RBI's. Les Wilder cranked out a home run for Weyburn.
Gord Mitton had two hits for the Sox.
Torgenrud (W) and Covert
C. Harrison (L), Montgomery (8) and McLean
(June 30) Moose Jaw's Purity 99 Oilmen hung a
12 - 5 trouncing on the Notre Dame Hounds moving them into a first place
Southern League tie with the Regina Caps, both clubs having only one
loss in six games. The winners got to Cy Huck for ten base
knocks with Pete Polupski, Herb Lovett,
Ray Jones and Gwynne Lovett all picking up two
each at the dish. Norm Brown and Barry
Wolstencroft hit 1st inning home runs for the Hounds but veteran
Gordie Inkster settled down after that and held the Dogs in
check the rest of the way.
C. Huck (L) and Kines, Brown
Inkster (W) and Starrak
(July 2) The Wilcox Cardinals suffered their second
crushing defeat at the hands of the Regina Caps this season as they were
smoked 10 - 1 by the Queen City contingent. Dick Terry
came up with a potent pitching performance for the Caps, yielding only
six
safeties, two of them by Nick Metz. Cap hitters teed off on
Walter Buttgereit and Aubrey Downton for 14
hits, three each by Gus Kyle and Frank Smith.
Kyle's trio included two triples.
Buttgereit (L), A. Downton (3) and Weisshaar
Terry (W) and G. Kyle
(July 2 ) A five run 8th inning propelled the Moose
Jaw Canucks to a slim 6 - 5 win over the hometown Liberty Eagles.
John "Smokey" Reynoldson was back on the mound for the first time
this season and notched the win. Wally Smith and
Spooner had three hits each for Moose Jaw.
Reynoldson (W) and W. Smith
Johnson (L) and McLane
(July 3) The hometown Beavers scored five times in
the first three innings and coasted to their fourth straight win by besting
the Liberty Eagles 5 - 1. Weyburn starter Gayle Shupe went
six strong innings for the victory. Lefty Arnold went the
distance for the Eagles and was charged with the loss. Les Wilder
had three base knocks for the winners.
Arnold (L) and Hill
G. Shupe (W), Covert (7) and Thompson
(July 3) The Hounds of Notre Dame visited Moose Jaw
and blasted the hometown Canucks 19 - 12 in a hitting feast for both
teams. Barry Wolstencroft of the Hounds had seven RBI's to go
along with his grand slam homer. Moose Jaw's Bill Emerson
socked two round trippers and had four RBI's. Canucks' starter Smokey
Reynoldson absorbed most of the punishment and was tagged with
the defeat.
Germann (W) and Brown
Reynoldson (L), Straub (7) and W. Smith
(July 4) The Liberty Eagles picked up their second
win of the season edging the tail-end Regina Red Sox 6 - 5. Cy
Thorseth earned the win while Red Harrison took the
loss. Warren Martin and Shorty McLane had
three
hits each for the Eagles. One of Martin's base knocks was a three
bagger. Gordie Knutson picked up a trio of hits for the
losing Sox.
C. Harrison, R. Harrison (L) (3) and Mitton
Thorseth (W), E. McNabb (9) and McLane
(July 4) The Notre Dame Hounds bested the Moose Jaw
Oilmen 9 - 8 in 10 innings to hand the new league entry their second
setback of the season. Dick Kerley went the route for the
Hounds and also scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Del
Kines had four hits for the Dogs, the last of which drove in Kerley
with the winner. Kerley had reached base on a single, advanced to second
on an error and scampered home when Kines delivered. The Purity 99's
used three hurlers, the last of whom, Tony Naka, took the
loss.
J. Devine, Inkster, Naka (L) and Martin
Kerley (W) and Brown
League Standings
(July 5) W L Pct.
Regina Caps
6 1 .857
Moose Jaw Oilmen 5
2 .714
Notre Dame Hounds 5 3
.625
Weyburn Beavers
6 4 .600
Wilcox Cardinals 3
4 .429
Moose Jaw Canucks 4 6
.400
Liberty Eagles
2 5 .286
Regina Red Sox
2 8 .200
(July 7) Stylish Lloyd "Schoolboy" Wooley
threw a neat two-hitter as the Regina Caps shut down the visiting Liberty
Eagles 6 - 1. Wooley had the Big Birds in the palm of his hand all
night, yielding an opening frame single and then blanking them again
until the 8th. when the Eagles scored their only run. Lefty
Arnold of Liberty was touched for 13 hits by the Caps. Tony
Righetti paced the Caps' offense with three hits which included a
home run.
Arnold (L) and McLane
Wooley (W) and G. Kyle
(July 7) Elmer Torgeson pitched
and batted the Moose Jaw Oilmen to an 8 - 5 victory over the Regina Red
Sox in a game cut short in the 8th inning by darkness. Torgeson remained
in the unbeaten class, striking out 12, as he sat down the Crimson Hose
contingent on seven hits, one an 8th inning triple by Jim McLean
with the sacks full. In addition, Torgeson had a perfect 4 for 4 to lead
a 13 hit Oiler attack against loser Ralph McCleneghan.
Moose Jaw center fielder Gwynne Lovett chipped in with
three
safeties.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Torgeson (W) and Starrak
(July 8) The Notre Dame Hounds plunged the
Regina Red Sox deeper into the Southern League cellar by whipping the
Reginans 14 - 7. The Sox hung with the Hounds for seven innings but blew a
tire in yielding five markers in the 7th. Both chuckers, Dick
Kerley of Notre Dame and Lefty Harrison of the Sox
were relatively ineffective in this loosely played match. The Dogs'
heavy artillery was led by Normie Brown and Hank
Dornstauder who collected three safe blows apiece.
C. Harrison (L) and Mitton
Kerley (W) and Brown
(July 9) The Wilcox Cardinals got down to
business early to turn back the Moose Jaw Canucks 4 - 1. The Cards got
to Moose Jaw starter and loser Lou Sabo for three tallies in the 1st and,
with big Walter "Butch" Buttgereit treating his mates with a
five-hitter, that was all they needed. Buttgereit and Aubrey Downton,
each with two, led a seven hit Wilcox attack.
Buttgereit (W) and Weisshaar
Sabo (L) and W. Smith
(July 11) Notre Dame's hustling Hounds
continued their upward climb when they scored a 4 - 3 decision over the
Wilcox Cardinals. The Hounds bunched nine hits effectively to come up with
a pair of two run rallies in the 6th and 7th innings. Dude Hoag
was on the firing line for the collegians and was touched for eight hits
while claiming five strikeout victims. His mound rival, Aubrey
Downton, gave up nine hits including two base knocks by each of the Dogs'
trio of Frank Germann, Barry Wolstencroft
and Normie Brown. Clint Squires and
Brownie Clements of Wilcox also had three hits in a losing cause.
Hoag (W) and Brown, Kines (7)
A. Downton (L) and Clements
(July 13) The colorful veteran Ralph
Hogg returned to the Southern League baseball wars and led the
Weyburn Beavers to an impressive 6 - 1 victory over the Moose Jaw
Oilmen. From the very first inning, Hogg showed the Oil crew he hadn't
lost any of his zip as he went five full frames before being nicked for a
single hit. At the plate, it was Hogg again who drew first blood as he
pounded a two-run homer in his initial trip to the batters' box. In the
8th, the Beavers' Les Wilder and Elmer Ekdahl
hit consecutive round trippers off the Purity 99's Elmer
Torgeson who suffered his first loss of the campaign.
Torgeson (L) and Starrak
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
(July 16) The league leading Regina Caps
unloaded their heavy artillery pounding out 19 hits with seven home runs in
completely dismantling the Weyburn Beavers 13 - 1. Hefty Gus Kyle
hammered out three four-ply clouts plus a double in leading the Regina
barrage. Sully Glasser pounded a pair of round trippers
while Tony Righetti and Frank Smith each had
one. Caps' Lambert "Lefty" Lauer pitched a neat
four-hitter in
chalking up the mound win. The usually reliable Gayle Shupe
absorbed the brunt of the Queen City blows and was tagged with the loss.
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
G. Shupe (L), Covert (3), G. Shupe (8) and Thompson
(July 16) In a contest that was held up by
intermittent showers, the Moose Jaw Oilmen cooled off the Notre Dame
Hounds 8 - 6. George Greenman picked up the victory after
relieving the Purity 99's sore armed starter Elmer Torgeson
in the 4th amid a four run Hounds' rally. Hugo Dombowsky's
lack of control cost him the game as the Notre Dame southpaw issued
eight
bases on balls and hit two Oiler batsmen. First baseman Pete
Polupski had three hits to pace the winners and Barry
Wolstencroft also contributed a trio of base raps for the Dogs.
Dombowsky (L) and Brown
Torgeson, Greenman (W) (4) and Starrak
(July 17) The Wilcox Cardinals edged out the
Moose Jaw Canucks 3 - 2 as Walter Buttgereit went the
route for the Redbirds, fanning a dozen while giving up only four hits.
Canucks' Smokey Reynoldson took the loss. Nick
Metz had two hits for the Cards and Lloyd Carr came
through with two base knocks for the visiting Canucks.
Reynoldson (L) and W. Smith
Buttgereit (W) and Clements
(July 18) In a game at Liberty, the hometown
Eagles surprised Regina's front running Caps, downing the Queen City
crew 4 - 2 behind the stellar pitching of Lefty Arnold.
Liberty touched southpaw Lloyd Wooley for only four hits in
his five inning stint but made them count in a 4th inning outburst.
Meanwhile, Arnold took command at the start and was never in trouble as
he harnessed the vaunted Cap power, whiffing six and setting them down on
five hits. Catcher Shorty McLane had two hits for the Eagles.
Wooley (L), Lauer (6) and G. Kyle
Arnold (W) and McLane
(July 18) Serving notice that they have playoff
aspirations, the Wilcox Cardinals won for the second time in less than
24 hours as they hung a 6 - 2 setback on the Regina Red Sox. Aub
Downton pitched the Cards to victory, striking out ten while
allowing six hits. The Cards sewed up the win by battering loser Red
Harrison for four runs in the 8th. Lefty Mearns of the
Red Sox and Brownie Clements of Wilcox were the best
hitters in this game, each with a 3 for 4 afternoon.
R. Harrison (L) and Mitton
A. Downton (W) and Clements
(July 22) 18 year old Lefty Lauer
turned in a mound masterpiece as the league leading Regina Caps
whitewashed Moose Jaw's Oilmen 4 - 0 and, in the process, dropped the
Purity 99's down the ladder from their previously lofty second place
position. Lauer limited the Oilmen to five well spaced blows and struck out
11 while outpitching Albert Erfle in a battle of
portsiders. Tony Righetti hit a home run for the Caps as
he and Gus Kyle both poked out a pair of hits.
A. Erfle (L) and Martin
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
(July 23) The Weyburn Beavers unloaded a 19 hit
arsenal to shellack the Moose Jaw Canucks 10 - 0 behind the four-hit
pitching of Ralph Hogg. The major victim of the Beavers'
hot bats was Moose Jaw's starter and loser Smokey Reynoldson
who gave way to Lou Sabo in the 6th. Elmer
Ekdahl and brothers Gayle and Blaine Shupe all
had three base knocks for the Beavers.
Reynoldson (L), Sabo (6) and Mowbray
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
(July 23) The Liberty Eagles executed a
successful squeeze play to garner what proved to be the winning run as
they edged Moose Jaw's fading Oilmen 7 - 6 in an error filled contest.
Shortstop Clarence Levere's well executed bunt off losing
pitcher Bert Olmstead scored winning pitcher Lefty
Arnold with the go-ahead tally. Liberty's Ken
Englehardt as well as Moose Jaw's Herb Lovett and
Olmstead shared batting honors, each collecting two base raps.
Arnold (W) and McLane
Olmstead (L) and Martin
(July 23) For five innings, the tail-end Regina
Red Sox put up a stout battle with their arch-rivals, the Regina Caps,
but in the 6th the roof fell in for the underdogs as the powerful Caps
posted ten runs and went on to paste the Red Sox 13 - 1. Al
Vogt, in his Caps' debut, pitched a four-hitter and was never in
difficulty. Cliff Harrison was matching Vogt until the
fatal 6th when the Sox fell apart and he was eaten alive by the Caps.
Frank Smith had a homer for the Capitals. For the winners,
Gus Kyle, Tony Righetti and Smith all had two
hits as did Jim McLean of the Sox.
Vogt (W) and G. Kyle, Smith (6)
C. Harrison (L) and Mitton
(July 24) Gayle Shupe pitched the
Weyburn Beavers to their second straight win over the Moose Jaw Canucks
by a close 5 - 4 score. The Beavers got to the Canucks' Jack
Devine for five runs in the first three frames and held on to win as Shupe
struck out 12 in his complete game performance. Les Wilder
and Jack Shupe each had a pair of hits for Weyburn. Lou
Sabo picked up two of the four Moose Jaw hits surrendered by Shupe,
including a home run.
G. Shupe (W) and White
J. Devine (L) and W. Smith
(July 25) The Eagles spread their predator wings,
swooped down and and clawed the victim Oilmen from Moose Jaw twice in a
Sunday doubleheader in Liberty, taking the first game 2 - 1 and the
second contest by a 3 - 2 count. The double defeat for the suddenly
slumping Purity 99's pushed them further down the slippery slope
standings following their great start to the season.
The first game, a 12 inning affair, saw Liberty's Lefty Arnold
give up but three hits while in the process of striking out 12. Don
Devine of the Purity 99's had a superb mound performance as well,
whiffing 15 while allowing eight safeties. His usually reliable control
deserted him in the third extra frame of this nail-biter as he plunked
the Eagles' Ken Englehardt with one of his offerings, with
the sacks full, forcing in the winning run.
D. Devine (L) and Martin
Arnold (W) and McLane
The nightcap at Liberty saw Cy Thorseth
of the Eagles outpitch Elmer Torgeson of the Oilmen with
the winning run being driven in by Lefty Arnold in the 8th
frame.
Torgeson (L) and Starrak
Thorseth (W) and McLane
(July 26) Big Gus Kyle, the Caps'
clean-up hitter, supplied plenty of plate punch as the Reginans
increased their Southern League lead by turning back the Weyburn Beavers
6 - 4. Kyle had three hits, including a home run and double, to pad his
already huge lead in the league's batting average department. The Caps
sewed up the game in the 4th, scoring five times off loser Mel
Torgenrud. Lefty Lauer went all the way for the Caps,
giving up eight hits.
Torgenrud (L) and White
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
(July 27) Moose Jaw's slipping Oilmen, having
lost four straight, halted their slide when they hammered out a 7 - 3 win
over their city rivals the Moose Jaw Canucks. Bert Olmstead
checked in with his first mound victory in two starts for the Purity 99's.
He was nicked for ten hits but bore down with runners on base and was
home free after his mates piled up five runs in the 2nd, blasting Canuck
starter Lloyd Compton from the hill before John
"Smokey" Reynoldson came to the rescue. Both squads tallied
ten hits
with Pete Polupski of the Oilmen as well as Bill
Emerson, Wally Smith and Ray Nutzhorn of
the Canucks cracking out two each.
Olmstead (W) and Starrak
Compton (L), Reyoldson (2) and W. Smith
(July 28) Ralph Hogg checked in
with a nifty five-hitter as the currently second place Weyburn Beavers
downed the Moose Jaw Oilmen 4 - 1. Hogg gave up an early unearned run
but easily held the Oilmen in check the rest of the way. Teammates
Les Wilder and Elmer Ekdahl shared batting
honors with Hogg in leading the nine hit Weyburn attack against loser
Elmer Torgeson as as all three picked up a brace of base
raps.
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
Torgeson (L) and Martin, Starrak
(July 28) Two successive doubles in the 9th by
Clint Squires and Nick Metz moved the Wilcox
Cardinals past the Moose Jaw Canucks 4 - 3. Walter Buttgereit,
on the hill for Wilcox, gave up three scattered hits and struck out 14.
Lefty Straub took the complete game loss.
Straub (L) and W. Smith
Buttgereit (W) and Clements
(July 30) The Regina Caps had an easy 9 - 3 win
over the sagging Regina Red Sox, sewing up the contest with a five run
opening frame outburst which was sparked by Al "Red" Staley's
home run. The blast, Staley's first of the campaign, ironically came
against his former team with whom he had started the season. Gus
Kyle went 4 for 5 including two triples against loser Ralph
McCleneghan. Al Vogt allowed four Red Sox hits in
picking up his second win. McCleneghan has two safeties for the Sox.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Vogt (W) and G. Kyle
(July 30) After spotting the Beavers the first
four runs, the Wilcox Cardinals came from behind to nip their Weyburn hosts
5 - 4. Aubrey Downton notched the pitching win, allowing
only one hit after the 3rd inning, enabling the Cards' comeback.
Gayle Shupe, who was replaced by Mel Torgenrud
during the Wilcox 7th inning uprising, took the defeat. Aub
Downton and Walt Buttgereit stroked out three hits each
for the Redbirds while Les Wilder led the Beavers' hit
parade, contributing two.
A. Downton (W) and Schwindt
G. Shupe (L), Torgenrud (7) and Ekdahl
(July 30) In an abbreviated game cut short by
rain and darkness, the Liberty Eagles and Moose Jaw Canucks battled to a
9 - 9 tie in seven innings. All in all, it was a rough night on the
twirlers as the teams combined to hammer out 22 base knocks, The Eagles
garnered their 13 off southpaw Lloyd Compton while the
Canucks nicked sidearmer Cy Thorseth and his successor,
Lefty Arnold, for nine. Thorseth had his most success at the
plate, going 3 for 4. Shortstop Lou Sabo was the heavy
sticker for the Canucks, hitting a home run and triple in three official
at-bats.
Thorseth, Arnold and McLane
Compton and W. Smith
League Standings
(July 30) W L Pct.
Regina Caps
12 2 .857
Notre Dame Hounds
7 4 .636
Weyburn Beavers
11 7 .611
Wilcox Cardinals
8 6 .571
Moose Jaw Oilmen
9 8 .529
Liberty Eagles
6 7 .462
Moose Jaw Canucks
4 12 .250
Regina Red Sox
2 13 .133
(July 31) The Regina Caps turned back a
listless Moose Jaw Canucks' squad 7 - 4 as Dick Terry,
with 9th inning relief help from Lloyd Wooley, set down
the Mill City boys on four hits. Art Straub went the distance
for the Canucks but was plagued by poor fielding support. Terry and
Red Staley both picked up a brace of hits for the Caps while
Lou Sabo and Art Ryall matched their efforts for the
Canucks.
Straub (L) and W. Smith
Terry (W), Wooley (9) and G. Kyle
(August 1) The stretch running Weyburn Beavers
edged into second place in the Southern League, topping the Wilcox
Cardinals 4 - 2. Reliable Ralph Hogg set down the Cards on
seven hits in picking up the win, his fourth consecutive, complete game
victory. Aub Downton, the loser,
started on the hill for Wilcox but was replaced by Walt
Buttgereit in the 3rd frame. Catchers Elmer Ekdahl of
the Beavers and Wilcox's Brownie Clements led their
respective clubs at the dish with three-hit performances.
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
A. Downton (L), Buttgereit and Clements
(August 1) The hometown Liberty Eagles split a
Sunday twin bill with the Notre Dame Hounds, losing the opener 3 - 2 in
extra innings but bouncing back to take the nightcap 11 - 3.
The afternoon fixture featured a tight pitching matchup between the
Eagles' Cy Thorseth and Notre Dame's Frank
Germann. Barry Wolstencroft of the Hounds drove in the
winning tally with a 10th inning single.
Germann (W) and xxx
Thorseth (L) and xxx
The second game saw the Hounds jump into an early lead which was
extinguished in the 7th when the Eagles exploded for seven runs. Ken
Englehardt had a 4 for 4 game for the victors while Warren
Martin pounded out two triples.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 2) The Notre Dame Hounds came from
behind to upset the Regina Caps 7 - 6 in a 10 inning Southern League
tussle and, in the process, moved ahead of the Weyburn Beavers into
second place. Walt Becker's 10th inning single plated
Hank Dornstauder with the winning tally, the only lead that
the Hounds had in this contest. Dick Kerley, in relief of
Dude Hoag, picked up the pitching victory. Lloyd
Wooley, replacing Caps' starter Chris Gerein in the
9th, absorbed the defeat. Frank Germann paced the Hounds'
offense with a perfect 5 for 5. Gus Kyle had three hits for
the Caps while Frank Smith contributed a home run.
Gerein, Wooley (L) (9) and G. Kyle
Hoag, Kerley (W) (9) and Brown
(August 6) The Weyburn Beavers bounced back
into second place in the Southern League by virtue of a 13 - 1
shellacking they handed the Notre Dame Hounds. After seven innings, the
Beavers held a slim 3 - 1 lead but, in the 8th, Notre Dame hurler
Dick Kerley fell apart as he, and reliever Cy Huck,
allowed ten more Weyburn runs to put the game out of reach. Mel
Torgenrud pitched the complete game win surrendering but four hits.
Les Wilder, Jack Shupe and Don
White all had three base raps for the winners.
Kerley (L), C. Huck (8) and Brown
Torgenrud (W) and White
(August 8) The Liberty Eagles both won and lost
in a pair of games in Wilcox, coming out on top in the opener 3 - 0
against the Cardinals and then dropping the evening fixture to their
second opponent of the day, the Notre Dame Hounds, by an 8 - 7 count.
Two right-handers, Cy Thorseth of the victorious Eagles
and Wilcox's Aub Downton locked horns in the afternoon
tilt in which Thorseth prevailed with a six hit shutout. Denny
Evenson of Liberty and the Cards' Ernie Downton both
had two hits in this affair.
Thorseth (W) and Prosofski
A. Downton (L) and Clements
The second encounter pitted the Eagles' Lefty
Arnold against the collegians. The Hounds won it by scoring two
runs in the bottom of the 8th. Cy Huck, in relief of
Frank Germann, was credited with the win. Dick
Kerley had a brace of hits for the Hounds, driving in four runs.
Winning chucker Huck and Walt Becker also had two
hits for the winners. Cy Thorseth had a trio of safeties
for the Eagles.
Arnold (L) and Prosofski
Germann, C. Huck (W) (4) and Brown
1948 Final
League Standings W L Pct.
Regina Caps
13 3 .813
Weyburn Beavers
13 7 .650
Notre Dame Hounds
10 6 .625
Moose Jaw Oilmen
9 8 .529
Wilcox Cardinals
8 8 .500
Liberty Eagles
8 9 .471
Moose Jaw Canucks
4 13 .235
Regina Red Sox
2 13 .133
Batting
Statistics
AB R H AVE
Gus Kyle - Regina Caps
67 23 37 .552
Frank Smith - Regina Caps 42 5
18 .429
Elmer Ekdahl - Weyburn Beavers 31 8 13 .419
Les Wilder - Weyburn Beavers 84 16 35 .417
Ray Nutzhorn - M. Jaw Canucks 34 4 13 .382
Norm Brown - N. D. Hounds 71 20 27
.380
Lefty Mearns - Regina Red Sox 32 3 12 .375
Frank Germann - N. D. Hounds 63 15 23 .365
Gayle Shupe - Weyburn Beavers 81 21 28 .346
Brownie Clements - Wilcox Cards 38 3 13 .342
Pitching
W L PCT
Ralph Hogg - Weyburn Beavers 4 0 1.000
Frank Germann - N. D. Hounds 4 0 1.000
Lefty Lauer - Regina Caps 3 0 1.000
Al Vogt - Regina Caps
2 0 1.000
Chris Gerein - Regina Caps 2 0 1.000
Dick Terry - Regina Caps 2 0
1.000
Playoffs :
Semi-final (Regina Caps and Moose Jaw Oilmen)
Game #1 (August 10) Although losing the game
between the lines, the Regina Caps were awarded the first game of the
best of three semi-final against the Moose Jaw Oilmen when the Purity 99's
used pitcher Bert Olmstead who had been declared
ineligible for the playoffs. On the diamond, the Oilmen grabbed a 2 - 1
verdict, scoring single tallies in the 8th an 9th to overcome an early
deficit. Olmstead pitched superbly, limiting the Caps to three hits and no
earned runs. Caps' Lloyd Wooley was no slouch either
pitching a four-hitter.
Olmstead and Starrak
Wooley and G. Kyle
Game #2 (August 14) The Regina Caps pushed the
Moose Jaw Oilmen to the sidelines by downing the Friendly City
contingent 2 - 1 to win their best of three series in straight games. Gus
Kyle's first inning triple off loser Lefty Erfle
scored Jackie Fulton with the first Cap run. They added
the clincher in the 4th when Red Staley belted out a bases
empty home run, one of his three hits in this game. Lefty Lauer
picked up the pitching win, surrendering a single run in the 8th on a
balk ruling. Ray Jones had a pair of hits for the
eliminated Oilers.
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
A. Erfle (L) and Starrak
Semi-final (Weyburn Beavers and Notre Dame
Hounds)
Game #1 (August 12) On the strength of a five run
outburst in the 4th inning, the Weyburn Beavers downed the Notre Dame
Hounds 6 - 2 to go one up in the best of three series. Beavers' Gayle
Shupe coasted to the win allowing seven hits. Keith Covert
banged out three hits for Weyburn. Barry Wolstencroft picked
up a couple of base knocks in pacing the Dogs.
Kerley (L), Becker (4) and Brown
G. Shupe (W) and Ekdahl
Game #2 (August 14) The Weyburn Beavers and
Notre Dame Hounds took the field in game two of their semi-final matchup
but accomplished exactly nothing in ten innings of play by battling to a
5 - 5 tie. Ralph Hogg and Dude Hoag pitched
the entire ten innings for their respective teams. Hoag and Cy
Huck had three hits each for Notre Dame while Les Wilder
was the Beavers' top batter, also with three hits. The game was called
after ten innings because of darkness.
Hogg and White, Covert (10)
Hoag and Brown
Game #3 (August 16) Led by two of the four Shupe
brothers, Gayle and Doug, the Weyburn Beavers gained the
right to meet the Regina Caps in the Southern League final when they
hung a 6 - 3 defeat on the Notre Dame Hounds. Gale with four hits and Doug
with three combined for over half of the Beavers' offensive output. Ralph
Beattie, Barry Wolstencroft and Cy Huck
all rapped out a pair of base blows for Notre Dame. Both starting
pitchers, winner Mel Torgenrud and the Hounds' Walt
Becker went the route.
Becker (L) and Brown
Torgenrud (W) and Ekdahl
Final (Regina Caps and Weyburn Beavers)
Game #1 (August 19) The Regina Caps took the
first game of the Southern League final with a 5 - 4 win over the
Weyburn Beavers in a bitterly contested game that was marred by frequent
rhubarbs. Two close decisions that went against the Beavers incensed the
Soo Liners who lost third sacker Gayle Shupe in the 8th
for being too strenuous in his arguments. Lefty Lauer and
Ralph Hogg both pitched complete games. Weyburn never had
the lead in this one but threatened several times. The Caps' Frank
Smith and Tony Righetti had three hits as did Les
Wilder of the Beavers.
Hogg (L) and Ekdahl
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
Game #2 (August 20) On the strength of a three run
rally in the 4th frame, the Regina Caps took a 2 - 0 lead in the best of
five Southern League final by downing the Weyburn Beavers 5 - 2. The
Reginans led the game from start to finish as Lloyd Wooley
shutout the Beavers until the bottom of the 9th when they tallied their
only two markers. Gayle Shupe went eight innings on the hill for
the Beavers before relinquishing mound chores to Mel Torgenrud.
Tony Righetti was tops at the plate for the Caps going 3
for 4. Jack Shupe led Weyburn with a 2 for 3 performance.4
Wooley (W) and Smith
G. Shupe (L), Torgenrud (9) and Ekdahl
Game #3 (August 23) The Weyburn Beavers
cake-walked to an easy 6 - 0 win over the Regina Caps to register their
first victory in the best of 5 final. Mel Torgenrud, the
lanky Beavers' righthander had the Caps eating out of his hand, allowing
only two hits while whiffing 11. The Caps played without the Kyle
brothers, Bill and Gus, who were absent as a result of a
death in their family. Gayle Shupe went 3 for 3 for the
Beavers facing Lefty Lauer and reliever Al Vogt.
Ralph Hogg and Elmer Ekdahl also had three hits.
Torgenrud (W) and Ekdahl
Lauer (L), Vogt (7) and Smith
Game #4 (August 24) The defending
champion Weyburn Beavers evened their best of five final series against the
Regina Caps winning a close 5 - 3 decision in game four. The 1947 champions
were led by Ralph Hogg who tossed a three-hitter while fanning
seven. Without heavy hitter Gus Kyle in the lineup, the Caps'
offense sputtered again. Regina starter Chris Gerein got
into hot water in the 1st as Weyburn struck for two runs and never looked
back. The Beavers' shortstop Blaine Shupe was the only
player on either team with a multi-hit game, stroking out a pair.
Gerein (L), Lauer (4) and Smith
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
Game #5 (August 25) Weyburn's battling
Beavers came from behind to earn a 3 - 3 stalemate with the Regina Caps
in what was supposed to be the last game in the final series. With the
Caps bolstered by the return of the Kyle brothers, the Reginans looked
like sure winners in the early going, counting a run in the 1st and
adding a second in the 3rd when backstop Gus Kyle slapped
out a long homer off Gayle Shupe. After Weyburn evened the
count with two unearned tallies in the 4th, the Caps quickly countered and
regained the lead with one of their own in the bottom of the same frame.
That run looked mighty good until the 8th and ultimately the last frame
when shortstop Roger Merlevede's ground ball error allowed
the tying run to score. Gus Kyle had three hits to lead all
batters. The game was called after eight innings because of
darkness.
G. Shupe, Torgenrud (6) and Ekdahl
Wooley and G. Kyle
Game #6 (August 26) Elmer
Ekdahl, the veteran Weyburn Beaver, strode to the plate as a pinch
hitter and lashed out a home run for the big counter that defeated the
Regina Caps 7 - 6 and gave Weyburn the Southern League title for the
second straight summer. The see-saw battle settled into a tie late in
the game until Ekdahl's blow in the bottom of the 8th and final frame.
The game was called because of darkness at that point. Swinging at Cap
loser Al Vogt's first pitch, Ekdahl sent it soaring over
the right-center field fence. In a gallant losing cause, Frank
Smith had three safe blows including a four bagger. Shortstop Roger
Merlevede of the Caps and Weyburn's Gayle Shupe
also had three base hits.
Wooley, Vogt (L) (3) and G. Kyle
Torgenrud, Hogg (W) (6) and White
|