|
With the semi-pro Regina Caps withdrawing from the pro-circuit S.B.L. in
1954, the Southern League Red Sox and Royal Caps
now became "the only game in town" within the Queen City. Five of the
six 1953 member clubs returned for another campaign. The doormats of the
previous season, the Milestone Athletics, lacking in depth and stable
player personnel decided to disband and the core of last summer's team
was split between the Regina Red Sox and Regina Royal Caps. However,
expansion brought forth one familiar participant plus two new ones, thus
increasing the number of teams from 6 to 8.
After a two year hiatus from
Southern League play, the Moose Jaw franchise returned once more with a
team made up of players from both the Mill City and the adjacent Lake
Valley/Rowletta area. Hence, the club played under the banner of the "Lakers"
to reflect that. Joining the Lakers as new entrants were teams from
Assiniboia, the Aces, and Estevan-Bienfait, known as
the Coalers. Each of the 8 member teams are scheduled to play 28 games
with the exception of the Avonlea Arrows who will take part in
only 14 games. Avonlea requested the shortened schedule because many on
the roster find it difficult to get time to play in the early spring and
late in the summer.
(May 15)
Ed Magis and Lionel L'Heureux combined their diamond talents to spoil
the home opener of the defending champion Regina Red Sox as play in the
Southern League got under way. Magis socked a two-run homer in the 9th
inning while L'Heureux handcuffed the Sox with a three-hitter as the Notre
Dame Hounds fashioned a 6 - 4 decision. The Hounds waited until the
final frame to find their batting eyes as they came from behind with a
three-run surge to grab the win. Until the last inning let-down, losing
pitcher Wes Richardson of the Red Sox had tamed the Hounds with
five
scattered singles. Frank Germann, the Dogs' shortstop, was the only
player on either roster to register two hits.
L'Heureux (W), Steele (9) and Ross
Richardson (L) and Turner
(May 16)
John Coleshaw, a newcomer to the Regina Royal Caps from the now defunct
Milestone Athletics squad, made a formidable impression on his new mates
as he belted a grand slam home run to lead the Reginans to a 12 - 5
rout of the Notre Dame Hounds.
Wall (W), Larter and xxxx
XXX and xxx
(May 16)
The Avonlea Arrows pounded out a 13 - 10 verdict over the Assiniboia
Aces in the Aces' Southern League debut as portsider Gordon Campbell
outperformed his mound counterpart, losing pitcher Gordon Skjerven.
Gordon Campbell (W) and xxxx
Skjervan (L) and xxxx
(May 18) A
new Southern League entry, the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers, put a damper on
the Weyburn Beavers home opener of the new season with a six inning, 15
- 11 come-from-behind victory. The Coalers trailed 9 - 2 at one point
but scored 13 times in the the 5th and 6th frames to forge ahead in this
error-studded game and sting Ron Martinson, the third of
four Beaver
pitchers, with the loss. Hugo Dombowsky, the former Notre Dame Hound and
Avonlea Arrow, picked up the win, entering from the bullpen in the 5th.
Weyburn starter Dave Hoff and Hank Dornstauder of the Coalers had round
trippers in this game. Batting honors for the night went to Keith
Covert
of Weyburn who went 3 for 3. Two ex-Notre Dame Hounds, Walt Becker, with
2 for 4, and Dornstauder, with a 3 for 5 game, led the Coalmen of the co-op
towns. Doug Shupe of the Beavers had a 2 for 5 game.
Renchko, Verpe (1), Dombowsky (W) (5) and Enmark
Hoff, Reily (4), Martinson (L) (5), Covert (6) and Evans
(May 19)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers battled the Notre Dame Hounds to a 3 - 3
deadlock in their debut at home, a match called at the end of 7 innings
when darkness set in. The Coalers used two hurlers in this game while the
Hounds stuck with veteran Lionel L'Heureux throughout. Hank
Dornstauder,
Walt Becker and Nasie Schnell all had two hits for the home team while
Tim Daley with a double and single in four tries was best for the
collegians.
L'Heureux and McDonald
Roy, Verpe (4) and Jackson
(May 20)
The Regina Royal Caps rallied for two runs in the 7th and final frame to
edge the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 5 for their second win in as many starts in
the young Southern League season. Veteran southpaw hurler Lloyd
Wooley
and newcomer Paul Sembaliuk shared the hero's mantle in this darkness
shortened affair. Wooley took over for Royal Caps' starter Lefty
Harrison in the 4th and pitched a hitless game thereafter to get credit
for the win. Sembaliuk cracked a triple and double in four trips to the
plate. Don Wooley of the Royal Caps and outfielder Doug
Shupe of Weyburn
both had two hits. Portsider Dave Hoff went the route for the Beavers
yielding 8 safe blows while fanning 8.
Hoff (L) and Trene
Harrison, L. Wooley (W) (4) and Lysack, Stewart, McNabb
(May 21) A
team from Moose Jaw made a successful return to Southern League wars as
the newly named Lakers downed the defending champion Regina Red Sox 5 -
3 in a 6 inning, darkness shortened game. The Lakers, behind 3 - 2
entering what would ultimately be the last inning, scored three times to
turn their fortunes around. Don Devine's two-run double scored the winning
and insurance runs for Moose Jaw, earning Dave White the win in relief
of starter Wally Blaisdell. Devine also made the defensive play of the
game, robbing the Sox' Ed Prosofsky of a sure extra-base hit in the
bottom of the last inning with the potential tying runs on base. Loser
Tommy Leverick went the route for the Red Stockings and, except for the
final frame, threw a reasonably good game. Outfielder Owen Gillstrom of
the Redlegs was the game's top swatter with three hits. Prosofsky had
two
doubles and Murray Smail of the Mill City crew had a brace of raps.
Blaisdell, White (W) (3) and Peterson
Leverick (L) and Turner
(May 25)
The Southern League's defending champion Regina Red Sox recorded their
first victory of the season by tripping their highly-regarded city
rivals, the Regina Royal Caps 4 - 3. Entering the 9th inning tied, the
Red Sox struck for the winning counter when Ken McEachern hit a
pinch-hit double and was sent home on Ed Prosofsky's triple. Right-hander
Tom Leverick was credited with the victory in a relief role.
Vic "Lefty"
Wall, out of the bullpen to offer aid to starter Ron Larter, was pinned
with the setback. Prosofsky led the Red Sockers' 12-hit siege with three
safeties while rookie catcher Elton Manz and outfielder Johnny
Daniels
each chipped in with a pair.
Richardson, Leverick (W) (7) and Manz, Turner (9)
Larter, Wall (L) (8) and Stewart, McNabb (6)
(May 26)
The Moose Jaw Lakers made it two straight in early Southern League play by
defeating the Assiniboia Aces 7 - 2 in a game called after 7 innings
because of darkness. Wally Blaisdell went the distance to post the
pitching win on the strength of a five-hit job. Blaisdell started in shaky
fashion, allowing the Aces to tally single runs in the 1st and 2nd
innings but after that he was in command. Lefty Erfle started for the
Aces but a sore arm sent him to the sidelines after the 1st inning. Norm
Logan, the second of three Assiniboia hurlers, was tagged with the setback.
Moose Jaw catcher Ralph Peterson paced the Lakers with two doubles and
three
RBI's. Glen "Baldy" Smith also had two of the Lakers
seven hits. For the Aces,
Oscar Hanson and Pete McLeod each had a brace.
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
A. Erfle, Logan (L) (2), Skjerven (5) and Waterton
(May 28)
The Notre Dame Hounds handed the Weyburn Beavers their third consecutive
Southern League loss, beating the Soo-Liners 8 - 4. "Hap"
L'Heureux went
four innings for the Hounds and gained credit for the win. Southpaw Dave
Hoff lasted three innings on the hill for Weyburn and was charged with the
loss. The Hounds' third baseman Dean Bell led all hitters with
three base
blows. Teammate Tim Daley had a pair, one of which was a two bagger. For
the Beavers, Hoff and Les Wilder both had a brace, one of Wilder's being
a double.
L'Heureux (W), Steele (5), Schiebelbein (6) and Ross
Hoff (L), G. Shupe (4) and Treen
(June 2)
The Erfle brothers, pitcher Albert "Lefty" and infielder/outfielder
Rube, combined their talents to spark the Assiniboia Aces to their first
Southern League victory, a 4 - 3 extra-inning thriller over the Weyburn
Beavers. The loss for the Beavers was their fourth straight and left
them in the league cellar. Rube had four hits, including a triple and
double, and his 10th inning single drove home the winning tally for the
Aces. Meanwhile, sibling "Lefty" scattered six hits and struck out 7 to
gain the pitching nod over Weyburn's Keith Covert. Reg
Waterton had two
hits for Assiniboia while Doug Shupe and Les Wilder each had a brace for
the losers.
Covert (L) and O'Brien
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
(June 3)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers proved to be their own worst enemy as eight
defensive miscues and twelve free passes issued by their hurlers spelled
their downfall as they dropped an 11 - 6 decision to the Regina Royal
Caps. Coalers' starter and loser George Roy only lasted 2 2/3 innings
before giving way to southpaw Hugo Dombowsky who toiled on the hill for
the remainder of the game. Winning pitcher Lloyd Wooley wasn't at his
best for the Royal Caps but had enough to last six innings before giving
way to Ed Heidt. Vic Wall, the Royal Caps' handyman, was the only player
in the game to get more than one hit, coming through with three.
Roy (L), Dombowsky (3) and Jackson, Enmark
L. Wooley (W), Heidt (7) and Lysack, Stewart
(June 4)
The Regina Red Sox blew an early four run lead but came back to score a
single run in the 7th inning to post a hard-fought 6 - 5 triumph over
their city rivals, the Regina Royal Caps. The game provided a
spine-tingling finish when the Royal Caps had runners at second and
third with none out in the final frame but Sox pitcher Hank Mitchell
retired the last three batters to earn his first victory of the season.
Johnny Daniels' 7th inning single drove in Ken McEachern with the run
that sewed up the win for the Redlegs and Mitchell. The Royal
Caps' Vic Wall was hit with the loss. McEachern, Daniels and third sacker
Jake McLean all had two hits for the Red Sox while Wall and catcher
Morris McNabb came through with a pair for the Royal Caps.
Ken Mohr of the
Crimson Hose blasted a bases-empty 380 foot home run in the 5th.
Harrison, Wall (L) (6) and McNabb
Leverick, Mitchell (W) (6) and Turner
(June 4)
The Weyburn Beavers snapped a four game losing streak by handing the
Avonlea Arrows a 5 - 1 loss. The Beavers bunched four hits and a walk in
the 6th inning for all five runs while their southpaw chucker, Dave
Hoff,
hurled five-hit ball and struck out 12 in besting loser Gordon Campbell.
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smith
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
(June 5)
The Moose Jaw Lakers reeled off their third straight Southern League
victory by pounding out a decisive 12 - 6 win over the Notre Dame
Hounds. The Lakers tagged Notre Dame pitcher Hap L'Heureux for 12 hits
and took advantage of 7 miscues by the Dogs to come from behind an early
5 - 2 deficit and take the spoils. Jack Devine limited the Hounds to 10
scattered hits but five Moose Jaw errors kept him in constant trouble. Bob
Chapman, Bill Hennenfent, Ralph Peterson and Devine powered the Moose
Jaw offense with two hits apiece while Tim Daley, Frank
Germann and Ed McNiven garnered two hits each for the Notre Dame cause.
L'Heureux (L) and Ross
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
(June 12)
After several days of rain and wet grounds, Southern League play resumed
in a game that saw the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers build up a 5 - 1 lead
and then hold on for a 6 - 5 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. Orval
Verpe,
with superb relief help from George Roy, registered his first win of the
young Southern League season while the Coalers slapped loser Hap
L'Heureux around for 12 hits. Catcher Roland Jalbert, playing his first
game of the season for the twin-towners, went 3 for 4 to pace the
winners at the plate. Jim Quinn, Lloyd Lawrence and
Dale Wetsch each had
a brace of safeties for the Miners while Tim Daley and Johnny
Faford
each banged out a pair for the collegians, one of Daley's being a home
run.
L'Heureux (L) and Ross
Verpe (W), Roy (7) and Jalbert
(June 13)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers zoomed into second place in the Southern
League by edging the Regina Royal Caps 6 - 5. The Coalers utilized a
sudden shower to wrap up the victory over the Queen City squad. With the
score knotted at 8 - 8 in the bottom of the 7th, the heavy rains came
and the count reverted to the six inning total. Hugo Dombowsky, who
relieved starter Dale Abbott in the 3rd, was the winner while
Ed Heidt
went all the way for the Reginans in taking the loss. Lloyd Lawrence of
the twin-towners belted a three-run homer and a double to pace all swatters.
Heidt (L) and Lysack
Abbott, Dombowsky (W) (3) and Enmark
(June 14)
After losing their first four Southern League starts, the Weyburn
Beavers collected their second straight victory, a 10 - 9 decision over
the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers. Errors played a major factor in the game
as the Coalers out-fumbled Weyburn 10 - 7 but outhit the visitors 13 -
8. Southpaw Dave Hoff went the full distance to chalk up his second
league triumph. Hugo Dombowsky, in relief of starter Gary
McKechney, was
tagged with the defeat. Jack Shupe, Les Wilder and
George Knox each
clubbed two hits to pace the Weyburn batters while Ralph Beattie,
Hank Dornstauder, Bill Quinn and Walt
Becker, all with a duo, were the top
guns for the Miners.
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
G. McKechney, Dombowsky (L) (5) and Enmark, Jackson (9)
(June 15)
Five first-inning runs by the visiting Assiniboia Aces proved to be more
than enough as they battled on even terms the rest of the way with the
Regina Red Sox to post a 7 - 2 decision. Loser George McFadyen was sent
to the showers during the 1st inning uprising by the Aces which proved
to be money-in-the-bank for veteran Lefty Erfle who tossed a nifty
six-hitter at the Crimson Hose to get credit for the win. Erfle, his brother
Rube, Gord Skjerven and Nick Lawrick paced the Assiniboia 10-hit attack
with a pair each. Ken Mohr was the only Sox player with
two hits.
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
McFadyen (L), Leverick (1) and Turner
(June 15)
The Regina Royal Caps found the win column again when they edged the
Weyburn Beavers 2 - 0 in what was probably the finest ball game of the
young Southern League season. Portsider Lloyd Wooley gave up a mere
four
hits in picking up the shutout win. Both Royal Cap runs were unearned,
the first off loser Gayle Shupe in the opening frame and the other in
the 8th off reliever Keith Covert. Bun Smith and
Vic Wall shared batting
honors for the night, each hitting 2 for 4.
L. Wooley (W) and Lysack
G. Shupe (L), Covert (6) and O'Brien
Southern League standings as of June
16
Moose Jaw Lakers
3 - 0 1.000
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 3 - 2 .600
Regina Royal Caps
4 - 3 .571
Assiniboia Aces
2 - 2 .500
Avonlea Arrows
1 - 1 .500
Notre Dame Hounds
2 - 3 .400
Regina Red Sox
2 - 3 .400
Weyburn Beavers
2 - 5 .286
(June 18)
Ed Heidt and Bun Smith shared the hero's mantle as the Regina Royal Caps
rallied for four runs in the 8th inning to score a 7 - 5 decision over the
Notre Dame Hounds. Heidt hurled sparkling ball in relief to get credit
for the win while Smith smashed a two-out, two-run double in the 8th to
drive home the winning markers for the Royal Caps. Hap L'Heureux, who
took over pitching duties from Hounds' starter Phil Resch in the 4th,
was the loser. Vic Wall, Smith and Doug Hingley all had
two hits for the
winners, one of Wall's being a triple. Frank Germann was the only Hound
to knock out a brace.
Resch, L'Heureux (L) (4) and Ross
Harrison, Heidt (W) (5) and Lysack, Thompson (5)
(June 18)
The Weyburn Beavers emerged from the basement position in the Southern
League when they edged the Regina Red Sox 5 - 4 in an error-studded
game. Tied at four in the 7th, the Beavers scored the game winner when Jim Burge singled, was sacrificed to second by
Bill Garner and scored on
winning pitcher Dave Hoff's base hit off loser Tom
Leverick. Batting
honors went to Burge who hit 3 for 4 while Blaine Shupe had a 2 for 4
night.
Richardson, Leverick (L) (5) and Turner
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
(June 19)
The Moose Jaw Lakers won their fourth in a row by virtue of a 5 - 2
triumph over the Arrows at Avonlea. Mel Hennenfent smashed a triple and
two singles in four trips to the plate to pace the 9-hit Moose Jaw attack off
loser Gordon Campbell. Baldy Smith and Ralph
Peterson added a pair of
safeties apiece for the Lakers. George Ardelan belted a double and
single for the Arrows while Archie Sanderson had two singles off the
slants of winning pitcher Bob Bell and reliever Wally
Blaisdell.
Bell (W), Blaisdell (6) and Peterson
Gordon Campbell (L) and Morrison
(June 20)
The Assiniboia Aces edged the Regina Red Sox 9 - 8 to move into third
place in the Southern League. Winning pitcher Albert "Lefty" Erfle, with
relief help from Gord Skjerven, got the win over the Red Sox'
Hank Mitchell. Skjerven slammed a grand-slam home run for the winners.
Ken McEachern had a two-run blast for the Redlegs. Bob
Turner of the Crimson
Hose had four singles while teammate McEachern had two singles on top of his
circuit blast. Skjerven also had a single for the Aces. Oscar Hanson
pitched in with a 2 for 4 game for Assiniboia.
Mitchell (L), Mitchelmore (5) and Turner
A. Erfle (W), Skjerven (8) and Waterton
(June 20)
The Regina Royal Caps dropped to fourth place in the Southern League
after falling to the Notre Dame Hounds 3 - 1. Phil Resch picked up the
win out-dueling loser Vic Wall and reliever Ed Heidt.
Wall (L), Heidt and xxxx
Resch (W) and xxxx
(June 20)
The Moose Jaw Lakers suffered their first Southern League loss as the
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers narrowly squeaked by them 2 - 1. Hugo Dombowsky
pitched a five-hitter to best the Lakers' Jack Devine. The twin-towners
scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th when Frank John singled,
stole second and scored after an infield error on a hard slide at home
plate which knocked the ball from the hand of catcher Ralph Peterson.
John and Murray Smail of the Lakers were the game's batting leaders,
each with two singles in four trips.
Devine (L) and Peterson
Dombowsky (W) and Jackson
Standings as of the end of June 20
Moose Jaw Lakers
4 - 1 .800
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 4 - 2 .667
Assiniboia Aces
3 - 2 .600
Regina Royal Caps
5 - 4 .555
Notre Dame Hounds
3 - 4 .428
Weyburn Beavers
3 - 5 .375
Avonlea Arrows
1 - 2 .333
Regina Red Sox
2 - 5 .286
(June 21)
The Regina Royal Caps maintained their mastery over the Weyburn Beavers
when they beat the Soo-Liners 10 - 4 in a Southern League contest. Lefty
Lloyd Wooley went all the way for Regina to get the win, surrendering
eight
hits and fanning six. Dave Hoff was the loser. Batting honors for the
contest went to Royal Caps' catcher Morris McNabb who went 3 for 5.
Other Regina batters of note were Don Wooley who had a 2 for 4 game and
Bun Smith who went 2 for 5. Doug Shupe was the top Weyburn batsman
hitting 2 for 5. Bill Garner of the Beavers had an inside-the-park home
run.
Hoff (L) and O'Brien
L. Wooley (W) and McNabb
(June 22)
The Moose Jaw Lakers consolidated their hold on top spot in the Southern
League when they turned back the Weyburn Beavers 11 - 7. Moose Jaw took
an early 9 - 0 lead and coasted to the win behind chucker Wally
Blaisdell. Gayle Shupe took the loss. Blaisdell was the heaviest hitter
of the night with 2 for 4 including a three bagger. Bob Chapman of the
Lakers went 2 for 5. Three batters shared hitting honors for Weyburn.
Doug Shupe went 2 for 3 while Jim Burge and
Dan O'Brien each hit 2 for
5.
Blaisdell (W) and Heinrich
G. Shupe (L) and O'Brien
(June 22)
The defending Southern League champion Regina Red Sox were mired deeper
in the cellar after dropping an 8 - 5 decision to the Notre Dame Hounds.
Reliable Lionel L'Heureux, the third pitcher to put in an appearance for
the Dogs, got credit for the win holding the Red Sox scoreless in the
final three frames. Don Mitchelmore lasted only into the 2nd and was tagged
with the loss. Ken Mohr of the Red Sox was the game's top hitter with a
double and two singles while teammate Ed Prosofsky had a triple and
single. Ed Magis paced Notre Dame with a double and single.
Kiel, Steele (4), L'Heureux (W) and Ross
Mitchelmore (L), Leverick (2) and Turner
(June 22)
The Avonlea Arrows walloped the Regina Royal Caps 13 - 3, exploding for
11 runs in the 5th on six hits and seven Royal Cap miscues. Elmer Tysdal was
nicked for 11 scattered safeties in posting the win over Lefty Harrison.
Jim Kirkpatrick sparked the Aces' 15-hit barrage with a triple and
two
singles. Garnet and Gord Campbell, Larry Smukowich and
Dwight Morrison
all rapped out a pair of safeties for the winners. Don Wooley hit
three
singles in five trips for the Royal Caps.
Harrison (L) and McNabb
Tysdal (W) and Morrison
(June 23)
The Weyburn Beavers broke out their big bats and clubbed the Estevan-Bienfait
Coalers into submission with a devastating 23 - 6 beating. Four Coaler
hurlers gave up 20 hits in the onslaught as the Beavers' Keith Covert
cruised to victory. Starter Hugo Dombowsky of the Miners was nailed with
the loss. Dan O'Brien and Jack Shupe each collected
four hits for Weyburn.
Les Wilder of the Beavers contributed a trio of base knocks.
Frank John
was the Coalers' top hitter going 4 for 4 while Walt Becker and
Ron McKechney each had two hits.
Covert (W) and O'Brien
Dombowsky (L), Roy (2), G. McKechney (5), Verpe (6) and Jalbert, Jackson
(2)
(June 24)
The Regina Royal Caps vaulted from fourth into second spot in Southern
League standings when Vic Wall out-dueled fellow southpaw
Albert Erfle
in hurling them to a 4 - 1 triumph over the Assiniboia Aces. The three
run
differential could be chalked up as being the result of five Assiniboia
errors compared to two for the Regina contingent as each team plated only
one earned run. Aces' catcher Reg Waterton and Royal Caps' shortstop
Bun Smith were the only batters to collect two hits.
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
Wall (W) and McNabb
(June 24)
The Regina Red Sox came apart at the seams in the 9th inning when they
committed four errors permitting the Moose Jaw Lakers to come from behind
and plate three runs for a 9 - 8 decision. The win consolidated the Lakers
hold on the top rung of the circuit. The defending champion Red Sox are
in the basement. The Reginans started out strongly, knocking Moose Jaw
starter Dave White from the hill with six runs in the 2nd frame.
Jack Devine went the rest of the way to get credit for the win.
Hank Mitchell, in relief of starter Frank Booth, took the loss. Red Sox'
Owen Gillstrom was the game's leading hitter with three safeties in
four trips.
Ralph Peterson clubbed a three-run homer for the Lakers in the 4th.
Booth, Mitchell (L) (2) and Manz
White, J. Devine (W) (2) and Peterson
(June 25)
The Weyburn Beavers suffered their eighth loss in 12 Southern League
games as the Notre Dame Hounds came to town and walked away with a 4 - 1
victory. The Beavers out-hit the Dogs 9 - 7 but failed to come through
with runners in scoring position, leaving a total of 11 stranded. Lionel
"Hap" L'Heureux went the distance for the Hounds to gain credit for the
win. Dave Hoff hurled for Weyburn but his defense let him down
regularly, committing seven errors. Notre Dame's Ed Bearss and Weyburn's
Jim Burge were the heavy hitters of the night going 3 for 4.
L'Heureux (W) and Ross
Hoff (L) and O'Brien
(June 25) The Regina Red Sox,
defending Southern League rulers, cracked a five-game losing streak by
defeating the Avonlea Arrows 11 - 5 with the help of a seven run splurge in
the 8th inning. Right-hander Tommy Leverick went the route for the
Crimson Hose, striking out 8, to pick up the win. The defeat was hung on
the shoulders of middle reliever Jim Kirkpatrick. Ken
Mohr collected three
hits for the Sox while Leverick and Ed Prosofsky each had a pair.
John Erdelyan was the Arrows' top batter with two hits. Avonlea's
Archie Sanderson lit up Leverick for a two-run homer.
Gordon Campbell, Kirkpatrick (L) (7), Gordon Campbell (8) and
Smith
Leverick (W) and Manz
(June 27)
The Moose Jaw Lakers stretched their solid hold on first place by
squeezing out an 8 - 7 triumph over the Avonlea Arrows. The league
leaders overcame an early 4 - 0 deficit by scoring five times in the 4th
inning and never trailed after that. Bob "Bones" Yeomans, the second of
four Moose Jaw pitchers, was the winner while Garnet Campbell, in relief of
Elmer Tysdal, took the loss. Mel Hennenfent,
Ralph Peterson and Bob Chapman each had two hits and
Bill Hennenfent homered to spark the Lakers'
10 hit attack. For the Arrows, Archie Sanderson connected for a double
and single while catcher Dwight Morrison contributed a brace of singles.
Tysdal, Garnet Campbell (L) (5) and Morrison
Blaisdell, Yeomans (W) (1), Bell (9), J. Devine (9) and Peterson
(June 27)
The Regina Red Sox and Estevan-Bienfait Coalers split the spoils in a
doubleheader with the Coalers taking a protested 7 - 6 decision in the
matinee while the Sox bounced back to take the nightcap 6 - 2. In the
first game
, a 7 inning encounter, Red Sox catcher Al Mantz was charged with
interference in the 6th frame, a decision which fostered the protest and
enabled the Coalers to score their sixth run. Orval Verpe, with bullpen
help from Hugo Dombowsky in the final inning, picked up the win.
Wes Richardson was lit up for the loss. Redlegs' Ed
Prosofsky hit a three-run
homer in the 1st.
Richardson (L), Leverick (5) and Manz
Verpe (W), Dombowsky (7) and Jalbert
Errors
killed the Coalers in the second tilt and dampened the pitching effort
of the twin-towner's Ron McKechney making his first start of the season.
Tommy Leverick hurled a four-hitter to register the win. The Red Sox scored
five times in the 7th inning to salt away the victory, the big blow being a
bases-loaded single by Owen Gillstrom which plated three tallies.
Leverick (W) and Manz
R. McKechney (L), Dombowsky (7) and Jackson
(June 27)
Veteran Ralph Hogg, un-retired for the umpteenth season, made his first
start a successful one as the Weyburn Beavers rolled past the Notre Dame
Hounds 4 - 1. Hogg and youngster Phil Resch of the Hounds each gave up
only four hits in this game. The Beavers scored all three of their runs in the
3rd inning when Resch temporarily faltered.
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
Resch (L) and Ross
(June 27)
At Assiniboia, winning pitcher Gord Skjerven sparked the Aces into
second place in the Southern League as they defeated the Regina Royal
Caps 6 - 4. Skjerven scattered 8 hits in his complete game win and aided
his own cause by stroking a double and single. Oscar Hanson and
Rube Erfle also had two hits for Assiniboia. Lloyd Wooley was stung with the
loss as the Aces exploded for six runs in the 2nd inning. The Wooley
brothers, Don and Lloyd, each walloped a triple and single for the Royal
Caps while teammate Ed Heidt had a bases-empty home run.
L. Wooley (L), Heidt (2) and Lysack
Skjerven (W) and Waterton
(June 28)
The Assiniboia Aces held the front-running Moose Jaw Lakers to a 6 - 6
draw after blowing an early 5 - 0 margin and then scratching back to
score the tying marker in the 8th. Aces' outfielder Oscar Hanson clouted
a three-bagger to score George Ciocia with that crucial tally.
Lefty Erfle
held the Lakers to six hits as his mates slammed two Moose Jaw hurlers for
14 base blows.. Erfle aided his own cause with a double and two singles to
pace the Assiniboia offense. Left fielder Murray Smail led the Lakers at
the dish with a three-run triple and a single.
A. Erfle and Waterton
J. Devine, White (6) and Peterson
(June 30)
Rookie right-hander Norm Logan turned in an effective eight-hit mound chore
as the Assiniboia Aces tripped up the league leading Moose Jaw Lakers 10
- 8. The win pushed the second place Aces to within 1 1/2 games of the
Lakers. Wally Blaisdell surrendered 8 runs in three innings of work for
Moose Jaw and took the loss. Shortstop Rube Erfle and Logan led the Aces
15-hit barrage each collecting three safeties. Reg Waterton and
George Ciocia chipped in with a pair each. Ralph Peterson had
three hits for the
Lakers. Ray Nutzhorn had a bases empty round tripper for the Lakers.
Blaisdell (L), Chadwick (4) and Peterson
Logan (W) and Waterton
(July 2)
Backed by the steady hurling of veteran Jack Devine, the Moose Jaw
Lakers extended their Southern League lead to two full games by trouncing
the Regina Royal Caps 7 - 1. Devine throttled the Royal Caps giving up
only four hits while striking out 9. The Lakers collected 16 base knocks
off two Regina southpaws, loser Cliff Harrison and Lloyd
Wooley. Second
baseman Bob Chapman enjoyed a big evening at bat clouting
three doubles.
Catcher Ralph Peterson also had three hits while Ray Nutzhorn had
two, both
doubles.
Harrison (L), L. Wooley (6) and McNabb
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
(July 3)
The Regina Red Sox scored four unearned runs, their entire offensive
production, and hung on to defeat the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 4 - 3. On
the long end of a 3 - 1 count after 7 innings, the boys from the coal
valley fell apart defensively in the 8th as the Red Sox stole the
victory from Hank Dornstauder. Winning chucker Tommy
Leverick and Dornstauder both gave up only five hits in their complete game stints.
Lloyd Lawrence of the Coalers and Owen Gillstrom of the Sox led their
respective clubs with two hits. Dornstauder had a triple for the twin-towners.
Dornstauder (L) and Jalbert
Leverick (W) and Turner
(July 4)
The Notre Dame Hounds defeated the Avonlea Arrows 4 - 2 in a game which
featured a great relief performance by the Hounds' Hap L'Heureux. The
Dogs' stalwart chucker took over from rookie Phil Resch with one out and
the potential tying runs on base in the 9th and promptly retired the
final two batters. Resch was credited with his first victory of the year
while Elmer Tysdal was rung up with the defeat.
Tysdal (L) and Morrison
Resch (W), L'Heureux (9) and Ross
(July 4)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers scored an unearned run in the 10th inning
of the second game of a double dip to win 5 - 4 and salvage a split with
the Assiniboia Aces. Earlier, the Aces triumphed 8 - 7 in the first half
of the day's proceedings. Assiniboia plated all 8 runs in the 2nd inning
of the opener and never looked back. Archie Skarbon, with bullpen help
from Lefty Erfle, picked up the win while loser Ken Triplett was knocked
out in the fateful second frame although returning for two additional
innings of work in the 3rd. Lorne Shanks had a home run for Assiniboia.
Skarbon (W), A. Erfle (9) and Drescher, Waterton (6)
Triplett (L), G. McKechney (2), Triplett (3), Roy (5) and Enmark,
Jalbert (6)
The second
game saw Orval Verpe go the distance and pick up the win in the extra
frame when Walt Becker had an infield hit off loser Lefty
Erfle and
eventually scored the winner following three Assiniboia miscues.
Skjerven, A. Erfle (L) (4) and Waterton
Verpe (W) and Jackson
(July 5)
The Southern League battle for third place remained pat after the Regina
Royal Caps brought out their extra-base hitters to gain a 6 - 6 saw off
with the Notre Dame Hounds. Darkness brought the game to a halt after 9
innings. Each team used two pitchers while garnering 9 hits but the Royal
Caps saved most of their blows for the right moment. The Reginans had
four
triples, one each by Vic Wall, Ed Heidt, Doug
Hingley and Lou Lysack.
Tim Daley and Johnny Ross each had three singles for Notre Dame. Heidt's
two
hits led the Royal Caps.
Kiel, Faford (6) and Ross
Wall, Heidt (8) and McNabb
(July 6)
The hot-and-cold Weyburn Beavers blew hot when they trounced the
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 14 - 5. It was the third time in four meetings
this season that the Beavers had beaten the Coalers. Usually a slow
starting outfit, the Beavers jumped on the Coalers' pitching for five runs
in the 1st inning and never looked back. Keith Covert went the distance
for Weyburn, giving up 10 hits and fanning 10. Dale Abbott was belted
off the hill in the initial frame barrage and suffered the loss. Jim
Burge of the Beavers was the leading hitter in this tussle, going 3 for
5 including a home run and double.
Abbott (L), G. McKechney (1) and Jackson, Jalbert (5)
Covert (W) and O'Brien
(July 7)
Ralph Hogg picked up his second straight win with an eight-hitter in guiding
the Weyburn Beavers to a 6 - 3 win over the Regina Red Sox. Big Wes
Richardson went all the way for the Redlegs, giving up 7 hits in taking
the loss. Jim Burge, Jack Shupe and Dave
Hoff all had two hits for Weyburn
while Hank Mitchell of the Sox also had a brace.
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
Richardson (L) and Turner
Southern League standings as of July 8
Moose Jaw Lakers
8 - 2 .800
Assiniboia Aces
6 - 4 .600
Notre Dame Hounds
6 - 5 .544
Regina Royal Caps
7 - 7 .500
Weyburn Beavers
7 - 8 .486
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 6 - 7 .462
Regina Red Sox
5 - 9 .357
Avonlea Arrows
2 - 5 .285
(July 10)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers clouted 12 hits off three Regina pitchers
including loser Guy Blondeau and destroyed the Royal Caps 18 - 4.
Orval Verpe spaced 8 hits in picking up the easy win. Ron
McKechney had three hits
for the Miners while Hank Dornstauder, Ralph Beattie and
Gary McKechney
each had a pair. Lloyd Wooley gave Verpe the most trouble, collecting
three
hits including an 8th inning homer.
Blondeau (L), Vogt (2), Prosofsky (6) and D. Wooley
Verpe (W) and Jackson, Enmark (7)
(July 10)
The Avonlea Arrows bowed to the Regina Red Sox 8 - 2 in a game wherein
both starters Hank Mitchell of the Sox and Don Forer of the Arrows went
the distance. Mitchell allowed four Avonlea hits while the Red Sox lit up Forer for 9 safe blows.
Mitchell (W) and xxxx
Forer (L) and xxxx
(July 10)
The Moose Jaw Lakers struck for four 1st inning runs to aid winning
chucker Dave White's effort in besting the Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 3.
White struck out 11 in going the distance. His biggest threat was
Hounds' outfielder Ed Magis who torched him for a triple and
three singles
in 5 trips while first sacker Bob Donald also had his number, pasting a
double and two singles. Don Kiel, who had relief assistance from
Phil Resch, was nailed with the loss. Ray Nutzhorn and
Bob Chapman each had a
brace of safeties for Moose Jaw.
Kiel (L), Resch (4) and McDonald
White (W) and Peterson
(July 11)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers dropped the Avonlea Arrows further into the
Southern League cellar by hammering them 10 - 6. The twin-towners took
advantage of six errors in handing Walt Buttgereit the loss.
Hank Dornstauder, who took over from starter George
Roy in the 6th, was the
winner. Buttgereit kept the Arrows in the game by pounding out a pair of
home runs, both bases-empty shots.
McKellar, Buttgereit (L) (1) and Morrison
Roy, Dornstauder (W) (6) and Enmark
(July 11)
The Notre Dame Hounds lost for the second time this week-end, dropping a
5 - 1 decision to the Assiniboia Aces. Paul Pearson, making his initial
mound appearance for the Aces struck out six, didn't issue a walk and
scattered 8 hits in taking the decision over the Hounds' Lionel
L'Heureux. Catcher Reg Waterton and first baseman
Jim White each had three
hits for Assiniboia while rookie Ed Bearss had a trio for the Dogs.
Pearson (W) and Waterton
L'Heureux (L) and McDonald
(July 12)
The Weyburn Beavers continued their climb up the Southern League
standings as they tripped up the second place Assiniboia Aces 6 - 2 for
their fourth straight victory. Gayle Shupe twirled seven-hit ball to give
the Beavers their timely win. Weyburn tagged loser Lefty Erfle for only
8 hits but five went for extra bases and inflicted most of the damage. Bill
"Baldy" Garner, Jim Burge and Blaine
Shupe each hit safely twice for the
Beavers while Lorne Shanks and George Ciocia did likewise for
Assiniboia.
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(July 12)
The two Regina clubs, the Red Sox and Royal Caps, battled to a 5 - 5 draw
in a contest called after 10 innings because of darkness. Ken McEachern,
who entered the game as a pinch hitter and reached first base after
being plunked by a pitched ball, stole home with two out in the 8th inning
to salvage a draw for the Red Sox. Tommy Leverick went the route for the
Red Stockings, allowing 9 hits, issuing four walks and striking out 8. The
tandem of Al Vogt and Lloyd Wooley worked on the hill for the Royal Caps
giving up only five hits, three of which Leverick garnered. However, bases on
balls and an untimely error by Wooley spelled their downfall. Don
Wooley
and Morris McNabb each had two hits for the Royal Caps.
Leverick and Manz
Vogt, L. Wooley (3) and McNabb
(July 13)
The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers scored five times in the 10th inning to trip
the last-place Avonlea Arrows 10 - 5 and move into sole possession of
third place in the Southern League. The Miners had an uphill battle all
the way. They trailed 3 - 0 after four innings and 5 - 3 after seven. A
costly error, with two out in the 9th, enabled them to tie the score.
Loser Gordon Campbell surrendered only two earned runs in nine innings,
both being bases-empty home runs, one each by Hank Dornstauder and
Lloyd Lawrence. However in the 10th, the roof fell in as the Coalers collected
5 of their 11 hits. Orval Verpe got credit for his second straight win.
Ralph Beattie, Dornstauder and Lawrence each had a trio of hits for the
twin-towners while Campbell and Paul Melin both stroked out a brace for
the Arrows.
Verpe (W) and Jackson
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smukowich
(July 15)
Two injured Regina Red Sox players are one - two in the Southern League
batting race. Infielder Ken Mohr who has been sidelined for the
balance of the season holds the batting lead with a lusty .458 average.
In second spot is outfielder Owen Gillstrom who is hitting .409.
Gillstrom is out of the line-up temporarily and it is not yet known when
he will return.
Top 12 hitters
Ken Mohr - Regina Red Sox
11 - 24 .458
Owen Gillstrom - Regina Red Sox
9 - 22 .409
Les Wilder - Weyburn Beavers
12 - 31 .387
Gord Skjerven - Assiniboia Aces
14 - 37 .379
Don Wooley - Regina Royal Caps
26 - 69 .375
Ralph Peterson - Moose Jaw Lakers
13 - 35 .371
Bun Smith - Regina Royal Caps
10 - 27 .370
Frank Germann - Notre Dame Hounds
12 - 33 .364
Bob Chapman - Moose Jaw Lakers
14 - 41 .341
Jim Burge - Weyburn Beavers
18 - 53 .339
Hank Dornstauder - Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 17 - 51 .333
Frank John - Estevan-Bienfait
Coalers 11 - 33 .333
2 Base Hits - Jack Shupe, Weyburn
Beavers - 7
3 Base Hits - Ed Prosofsky, Regina Red Sox; Vic Wall, Regina Royal Caps
- tied with 3
Home Runs - Walt Buttgereit, Avonlea Arrows, Hank Dornstauder,
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers and Lloyd Lawrence, Estevan-Bienfait Coalers -
all with 2
Pitching Leaders
Orval Verpe - Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 4 - 0 1.000
Ralph Hogg - Weyburn Beavers
2 - 0 1.000
Dave White - Moose Jaw Lakers
2 - 0 1.000
Lloyd Wooley - Regina Royal Caps
4 - 1 .800
Jack Devine - Moose Jaw Lakers
3 - 1 .750
Tom Leverick - Regina Red Sox
4 - 2 .667
Most Wins - Lionel L'Heureux - Notre
Dame Hounds - 5
Most Losses - L'Heureux - 4
(July 16)
The Regina Royal Caps clipped the Assiniboia Aces 9 - 2 to trim the
Aces' hold on second place to half a game over the Estevan-Bienfait
Coalers. Utility man Ed Heidt took to the mound for the Royal Caps and
went the route to earn his second victory in four pitching decisions. Lefty
Erfle never recovered from a Regina four run 1st inning outburst and was
tabbed with his third defeat. Doug Hingley, Paul Sembaliuk and Heidt
each had two hits for the Royal Caps, including triples by Heidt and
Sembaliuk. Ed Tendler led the visiting Aces with a triple and single in
three at-bats,
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
Heidt (W) and McNabb
(July 16)
Scoring four times in each of the 4th and 7th innings, the Moose Jaw
Lakers snapped Weyburn's four game winning streak and extended their own
lead in the Southern League to 3 1/2 games by edging the Beavers 9 - 7.
Moose Jaw's 11 hit attack sent Keith Covert down to his second defeat.
Wally Blaisdell, the second of three Lakers' hurlers, won his third decision
of the year. Jack Shupe hit a two-run homer for the Beavers. Blaisdell had
a two -run triple for Moose Jaw.
Covert (L) , Hoff (5) and O'Brien
Yeomans, Blaisdell (W) (4), Nutzhorn (9) and Peterson
(July 17)
The Regina Red Sox pulled out a thrilling 7 - 6 win over their city
rivals, the Regina Royal Caps, in the latest segment of the battle of
Regina. Ken McEachern's bases loaded double in the last of the 9th
enabled the Red Sockers to plate the tying and winning markers. Tommy
Leverick was the winner while Lloyd Wooley took the loss although McEachern's timely blow came off fireman
Ed Heidt.
L. Wooley (L), Heidt (9) and McNabb
Mitchell, Leverick (W) (7) and Manz
(July 18)
At Wilcox, the Notre Dame Hounds and Moose Jaw Lakers split a twin bill
with the collegians taking the initial contest 10 - 4 while the
league-leaders came back to dump the Dogs 10 - 6 in the finale. Hugo
Dombowsky, who started the season with the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers,
made his return to his alma mater a successful one by holding the mighty
Moose Jaw squad to 8 hits in the opener. The Hounds 13 hit attack
against loser Wally Blaisdell and reliever Jack Devine provided
Dombowsky with the offensive production he needed.
Blaisdell (L), J. Devine (2) and Peterson
Dombowsky (W) and Ross
Ray
Nutzhorn survived the Hounds' 15 hit onslaught in the second encounter
to get Moose Jaw their split. Hap L'Heureux was the victim of Moose
Jaw's 12 hit attack and suffered the loss. Bill Hennenfent, with a homer
and double, and Don Devine with three hits, paced the Lakers' hitters.
Tim Daley, Nick Metz and L'Heureux each had
three hits for the Hounds.
Nutzhorn (W) and Peterson
L'Heureux (L), Steele (8) and Ross
(July 18)
Gordon Campbell bested three Assiniboia pitchers to drop the Aces and give
the Avonlea Arrows a 6 - 4 win, only their third triumph of the season.
The loss for Assiniboia dropped them out of sole possession of second
place in the Southern League. Normie Logan was charged with the loss.
Logan (L), xxxx, xxxx and xxxx
Gordon Campbell (W) and xxxx
(July 18)
In a replay of a protested game, the Regina Red Sox took the measure of
the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 10 - 8. The Red Sox blew an 8 - 0 lead in
this one but finally won out by pushing across single runs in the 8th
and 9th innings. Hank Mitchell was the victor while Orval
Verpe was tagged
with his first defeat of the campaign. Al Manz scored the winning run
when, after being hit by a pitch and stealing second base, he came all
the way around to score on a finely executed bunt by Art Belick.
Shortstop Sammy Goodhue added a 9th inning insurance tally with a home
run. Dale Wetsch had a superlative day at the plate for the valley boys,
going a perfect 4 for 4 including a three-run inside-the-park homer.
Leverick, Mitchell (W) (6) and Manz
Dornstauder, Verpe (L) (3) and Jackson
(July 19)
The Moose Jaw Lakers moved 4 1/2 games in front of the others in the
Southern League pack by downing the lackadaisical Regina Red Sox 5 - 2.
The Redlegs, shaken by injuries, showed little of the drive that earned
them the league championship last season. With three of their top stars in
limbo with injuries, the Sox didn't come close to making it a battle
against the Lakers. Catcher Al Manz saved the Sox from a whitewashing
by clouting a two-run inside-the-park home run. Ray Nutzhorn, the third
Moose Jaw hurler, was credited with the win. Frank Booth was the loser.
Lakers' outfielder Don Devine was the only player to get more than one
hit and he had quite a night, banging out two doubles, a triple and a
single in five trips.
Yeomans, Bell (5), Nutzhorn (W) (6) and Peterson
Booth (L), Richardson (4) and Manz
(July 19)
The Notre Dame Hounds staved off a 9th inning rally to defeat the
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 7 - 6. The win shot the Hounds from seventh
spot to a tie for second place with the Assiniboia Aces. The big
difference in this game was a four-run uprising by the Dogs in the 4th
which was ignited by Cy McDonald's inside-the-park round-tripper. The
Hounds never relinquished the lead after that. Rookie Phil Resch got the
win for Notre Dame but needed bullpen help from Lionel L'Heureux.
George Roy was charged with the loss.
Roy (L), Verpe (6) and Jackson
Resch (W), L'Heureux (7) and Ross
(July 20)
The Jasper, Texas, Steers downed a combined Regina squad in an
exhibition game at Taylor Field in Regina. Alvin Jackson
was dominant in pitching the Steers to an 8-1 win over a local team from
the Red Sox and Royal Caps. The Steers were a last-minute fill-in for
the Indian Head Rockets who failed to show for the date.
(July 21)
The Assiniboia Aces provided some breathing room for themselves in
second place in the Southern League by knocking off the Notre Dame
Hounds 5 - 4. The Aces scored twice in the bottom of the 8th to seal the
victory for Ed Tendler in his relief role. Hugo Dombowsky went the route
for Notre Dame and absorbed the setback. Shortstop Rube Erfle of
Assiniboia and second baseman Ed McNiven of the Hounds had the only
extra base hits of the game, both doubles, amongst their three hit totals.
Tim Daley and Ed Magis had a pair apiece for the Collegians.
Dombowsky (L) and Ross
Pearson, Tendler (W) and Waterton
(July 22)
The defending champion Regina Red Sox hit the .500 mark for the first
time since early in the season by defeating the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers
5 - 4. Although outhit 11 - 8 by the visitors from the coal valley, the
Red Sox took advantage of opportunities presented to them in crucial
situations. Tommy Leverick saved the win for Crimson Hose' starter
Hank Mitchell while Orval Verpe was stung with his second defeat. The Miners'
Nasie Schnell led all hitters with four singles. Owen
Gillstrom and Ken McEachern each had two hits for the winners, as did
Frank John and Hank Dornstauder of the twin-towners.
Verpe (L) and Jalbert
Mitchell (W), Leverick (7) and Manz
(July 22)
The Assiniboia Aces improved their hold on second place in the Southern
League by dumping the Notre Dame Hounds for the second consecutive
night, this time by a 3 - 1 count. Pitcher Lefty Erfle was the whole
show, allowing but five hits, striking out 10 and collecting two of the Aces'
hits. Hap L'Heureux was tagged with the setback. He gave way to
Hugo Dombowsky in the 7th after being struck in the shoulder by a line drive
off the bat of Ron Lee.
L'Heureux (L), Dombowsky (7) and Ross
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
(July 23)
On the basis of an impressive five-hit mound chore by Ed Heidt, the Regina
Royal Caps downed the last-place Avonlea Arrows 6 - 2 and moved up to
grab a share of third place in the Southern League. The loss for the
Arrows killed any hopes they had of vacating the cellar. Gord Campbell,
who pitched only the opening frame, was saddled with the loss. Bun
Smith, Bill Kyle and Paul Sembaliuk all had
two hits for the Royal Caps.
Smith's total included a triple while that of Sembaliuk contained a
double. Jim Kirkpatrick with two hits led the Arrows' batting parade.
Gord Campbell (L), Buttgereit (2) and Morrison
Heidt (W) and Lysack
Standings as of the end of July 23
Moose Jaw Lakers 12 - 3
.800
Assiniboia Aces
9 - 7 .562
Regina Red Sox
9 - 9 .500
Regina Royal Caps 9 - 9
.500
Weyburn Beavers
8 - 9 .471
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 8 - 10 .444
Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 10
.444
Avonlea Arrows
3 - 9 .250
(July 25)
The Notre Dame Hounds, behind rookie Phil Resch's fine hurling, took the
measure of the Regina Red Sox 6 - 4. Resch kept 9 hits well spaced and
struck out 10 as he posted his 3rd win against a single setback.
Workhorse Tommy Leverick, who has won four games, was charged with his
third loss. Tim Daley, Dean Bell, Johnny
Ross and Murray Huck each
collected two of the Hounds' 11 hits. Al Manz, Ed Prosofsky,
Art Belick
and John Daniels did likewise for the Red Sockers.
Leverick (L), Mitchell (4) and Manz
Resch (W) and Ross
(July 25)
Assiniboia's second place Aces gained a split of a Sunday doubleheader
with the visiting Estevan-Bienfait Coalers, rebounding with a 5 - 3
triumph in the owl event after dropping the opener 11 - 7. A pinch-hit
grand slam home run by Lloyd Lawrence proved to be the difference in the
matinee as it propelled the twin-towners into a tie after falling behind
early 6 - 0. Orval Verpe was the winning hurler. Paul
Pearson, the second
of three Aces' chuckers, was charged with the defeat.
Verpe (W), Roy (3) and Jalbert
Skjerven, Pearson (L) (5), A. Erfle (7) and Waterton
A five-
hit chore by the Aces' Ernie Tendler beat Estevan-Bienfait and pitcher
Jack Harbourne in the nightcap. George Ciocia's
two-run single in the 8th
drove in the winning and insurance runs for Assiniboia.
Harbourne (L) and Jalbert
Tendler (W), A. Erfle (9) and Waterton
(July 26)
The Regina Red Sox sliced the Assiniboia Aces second place margin to a
precarious 1/2 game by setting down the visitors 6 - 2. Wes Richardson's
nifty four-hit pitching gave the Sox their first victory against Assiniboia
this season. Four unearned runs off loser Paul Pearson in the 2nd inning
made the job much easier for the big Regina right-hander. Owen Gillstrom
had three RBI and three hits, including a double, for the winners. Al
Manz and
Ed Prosofsky kicked in with a pair of safeties. For the Aces,
Oscar Hanson had a double and single and Gord Skjerven hit
two singles.
Pearson (L), Skjerven (2) and Waterton
Richardson (W) and Manz
(July 27)
The Weyburn Beavers blew a 10 - 6 lead in the final frame and had to
settle for a 10 - 10 draw against the Moose Jaw Lakers in an 8 inning
shortened game. Four home runs, including a grand slam clout by
Weyburn's Jim Burge, featured the contest. Pitcher Dave
White's 8th
inning homer highlighted the Lakers' four run comeback. Bill Hennenfent had
a two-run homer for Moose Jaw in the 5th. Dave Hoff hit a
three-run circuit
blast in the 5th for the Beavers. Mel Hennenfent was the evening's top
hitter collecting four hits in five at-bats.
Bell, J. Devine (3), White (5) and Peterson
Hogg, G. Shupe (8) and O'Brien
(July 27)
John Faford's RBI triple in the 9th inning salvaged a 1 - 1 tie for the
Notre Dame Hounds with the Regina Royal Caps in a tightly contested
Southern League pitcher's duel featuring himself and the Royal caps'
Lefty Harrison. The game went 10 innings before darkness halted the
proceedings. Faford gave up only three hits to six for Harrison in this tense
pitching battle. Ed Magis of the Hounds was the only player on either
team to register two hits.
Faford, Dombowsky (9), Resch (10) and Ross
Harrison and Lysack
(July 28)
The Moose Jaw Lakers all but clinched first place in the Southern League
by drubbing the Regina Red Sox 13 - 5. Teeing off on two hurlers for 16
hits, the Lakers put the game on ice early allowing grizzled veteran
Elmer Torgeson to pitch without pressure. Mel Hennenfent blasted an
inside-the-park home run in the 3rd and Bob Chapman laced out a
two-run
clout in the 4th to send loser Hank Mitchell to the showers.
Murray Smail collected a triple and two singles for Moose Jaw.
Art Belick with three
singles, along with Denny Cochrane and Sam Goodhue's brace of base raps,
topped the Regina hit parade.
Mitchell (L), Leverick (4) and Manz
Torgeson (W) and Peterson
(July 28)
The Notre Dame Hounds went 12 innings against the Estevan-Bienfait
Coalers and came away with another tie, their second in consecutive
days, this time a 6 - 6 stalemate. Trailing 6 - 5 in the bottom of the
8th, the Dogs scored the equalizer when, after Murray Huck singled and
swiped both second and third, he was squeezed home by Ed McNiven. That
was the end of the scoring and three extra frames settled nothing. Hank
Dornstauder had a two-run homer for the Miners as well as a double.
Pitcher Gary McKechney had four singles in six trips. For Notre Dame,
Frank Germann and first sacker Bobby Donald each had a double and single.
G. McKechney and Enmark
L'Heureux and Ross
(July 28)
The Assiniboia Aces strengthened their hold on the runner-up spot in the
Southern League by clipping the Weyburn Beavers 9 - 6. For the second
straight day, the Beavers blew a healthy lead. Holding a 5 - 1 margin
after five innings, Weyburn saw the Aces uncork four run splurges in the 6th
and 7th frames to make Lefty Erfle the winner. Keith
Covert, out of the
bullpen in relief, was nicked with the setback. Rube Erfle sparked
Assiniboia's 13 hit barrage by clouting two doubles and two singles in
five
trips. Reg Waterton of the Aces chipped in with three singles.
George Knox
had four hits for the Beavers.
Hoff, Covert (L) (6) and O'Brien
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
(July 29)
The Moose Jaw Lakers, run-away leaders of the Southern League, jolted
the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers' hopes of a playoff spot by handing the
visitors a 9 - 7 defeat in an abbreviated game. Late arrival of the
Coalers team and darkness restricted the game to five innings. Dave
White,
in relief of Bob Bell, picked up the win while Jack
Harbourne was tagged
with the loss.
Harbourne (L) and Jalbert
Bell, White (W) (1) and Peterson
(July 30)
The Weyburn Beavers, behind the four-hit pitching of veteran Gayle
Shupe,
pounded out an 11 - 3 decision over the Regina Red Sox. Keith Covert
sparked Weyburn's 12 hit attack off loser Tommy Leverick and reliever
Hank Mitchell, banging out three base blows. Ed Prosofsky had
two of the four Red
Sox hits off Shupe who struck out eight.
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
Leverick (L), Mitchell (4) and Manz, Shaw (5)
(July 30)
Jack Devine tossed a brilliant two-hitter as the Moose Jaw Lakers blanked
the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 3 - 0. Only Gary McKechney and
Dale Wetsch,
with two hits apiece, were able to solve the mystery of Devine's slants as
he out-hurled loser Orval Verpe. Ray Nutzhorn and
Mel Hennenfent were the
big hitters for the Lakers with three and two hits respectively.
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
Verpe (L), Roy (9) and Enmark
(July 31)
The Regina Red Sox bolstered their bid for a playoff berth by blanking
the second place Assiniboia Aces 3 - 0. The Redlegs got six-hit shutout
pitching from Frank Booth who bested loser Gord Skjerven.
Sam Goodhue
and Art Belick of the Sox as well as Assiniboia's Wes
Reader each had two
hits.
Booth (W) and Manz
Skjerven (L) and Waterton
(August 1)
The Weyburn Beavers scored five times in the 4th inning and never looked
back as southpaw Dave Hoff led them to a 10 - 4 victory over the Avonlea
Arrows. Gord Campbell was pounded for 10 hits in taking the setback.
Jack Shupe had a home run for the Beavers.
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
Gord Campbell (L) and Morrison
(August 1)
Scoring an unearned run in the 9th inning, the Moose Jaw Lakers won
their 16th game of the season by dropping the Regina Royal Caps 7 - 6.
Don Devine's single in the bottom of the 9th and a wild throw by third
sacker Paul Sembaliuk produced the run that gave Wally
Blaisdell the
victory over loser Ed Heidt.
Wall, Harrison (1), Heidt (L) (6) and McNabb
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
(August 2)
The Regina Royal Caps grabbed their first victory of the season against
the front-running Moose Jaw Lakers by dropping the Mill City nine 6 - 4.
The Lakers jumped into an early 4 - 0 lead only to see it evaporate by
the end of the 6th. The Reginans plated two runs in the 8th to sew up the
victory as pinch-hitter Joey Evenson drove in the winning and insurance
runs with a single that sent Lakers' right-hander Dave White down to
defeat. Ed Heidt, with 8 1/3 innings of strong relief was the winner. Heidt's
three safeties topped all batters.
Bun Smith and Don Wooley both had
two hits for the winners.
White (L) and Peterson
L. Wooley, Heidt (W) (1) and McNabb
(August 3)
The Weyburn Beavers climaxed a long climb from the depths of the
Southern League basement by tripping the Assiniboia Aces 11 - 5 to move
ahead of the Aces into second spot. Weyburn's Gayle Shupe was touched
for 11 hits but was effective when it counted most in picking up the
win. Lefty Erfle, the loser, was clubbed for 15 hits including a homer
by Beavers' catcher Dan O'Brien. Keith Covert and
Blaine Shupe each had
three hits to pace the Beavers while Wes Reader, Reg Waterton and
Rube Erfle
connected twice for the Aces.
A. Erfle (L) and Drescher
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(August 3)
The Regina Royal Caps and Moose Jaw Lakers battled to a 6 - 6 tie in a
contest shortened to 8 innings because of darkness. Lefty Harrison
started on the hill for the Royal Caps and kept the league-leaders well
in check until the 7th inning when the Lakers erupted for four runs to
overcome a 4 - 1 deficit. They increased their lead to a pair, scoring
once more in the 8th, but then blew the decision by committing three errors
in the bottom of the 8th and final frame. Jack Devine pitched into the
final inning for Moose Jaw before relief help arrived. Jackie Fulton and
Don Wooley of the Royal Caps and Bob Chapman of the Lakers all had
three
hits while Lou Lysack and Doug Hingley of the Reginans had a pair as did
Moose Jaw's Devine brothers, Jack and Don.
J. Devine, Nutzhorn (8) and Peterson
Harrison, Heidt (8) and McNabb
(August 5)
The Regina Red Sox and Weyburn Beavers kept their hopes alive for a
Southern League playoff berth as they battled to a thrilling 3 - 3 draw
in a game called after 9 innings when darkness enveloped the skies.
Weyburn's Ralph Hogg and the Redlegs' Frank Booth tangled in a tight
joust which saw the Red Sox score their trio in the 2nd while the
Beavers did the same in the 5th. Both catchers, Al Manz of the Sox and
Dan O'Brien of the Beavers drove home two of their respective team's
three
markers.
Hogg and O'Brien
Booth and Shaw, Manz (1)
(August 5)
The Regina Royal Caps took a big stride in securing a Southern League
playoff spot by clipping the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 6 - 5. The loss
for the Coalers all but eliminated them from post-season action. Regina
scored the winning run in the bottom of the 8th and final inning as Bun
Smith crossed the plate when Don Wooley was called safe at first base on
a disputed two-out infield roller. At this point, the game was called
because of darkness. Both starting hurlers went the route with Ed
Heidt
winning the decision over the Coalers' Orval Verpe. Smith led all
hitters with three safeties. Six players, Don Wooley and
Lou Lysack of the
Royal Caps, as well as Hank Dornstauder, Jim Quinn,
Gary McKechney and
Verpe of the valley boys, all had a brace of base raps.
Verpe (L) and Dornstauder
Heidt (W) and McNabb
(August 7)
The Regina Red Sox dropped an 11 - 8 slugfest to their cross-town
rivals, the Regina Royal Caps, a loss which lessened their chances of
advancing to the playoffs. The Royal Caps pounded out 14 hits, including
a bases-loaded triple by Bunny Smith, to hand Red Sox starter
Tommy Leverick the beating. Lou Lysack also had a
three bagger for the winners.
Cliff "Lefty" Harrison got the mound decision. For the Royal Caps,
Morris McNabb had a 3 for 3 performance while Lysack went 3 for 5. Best
hitting output for the Red Sox was provided by Denny Cochrane who poled
out three base blows.
Leverick (L), Booth (5) and Manz
Harrison (W), Heidt (6) and McNabb
(August 7)
Hap L'Heureux scattered five hits as the Notre Dame Hounds scored
five
unearned runs to up-end the Avonlea Arrows 5 - 1 and end last place
Avonlea's season on a losing note. Johnny Ross, Murray
Huck and Ed McNiven each collected two of Notre Dame's
eight hits off loser
Gord Campbell.
Lloyd Lee spoiled L'Heureux's shutout bid when he singled in the 8th to
score Jim Kirkpatrick.
L'Heureux (W) and Ross
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smukowich
(August 8)
The Regina Royal Caps dropped a 10 - 7 count to the Assiniboia Aces as
Gord Skjerven of the Aces put an end to their four game unbeaten streak.
The Aces built up a 10 - 2 cushion against lefty Lloyd Wooley and
fireman Pete Prosofsky, making Wooley the victim of the pitching
decision. Doug Hingley with a single and a pair of two baggers was the top
Regina batter while Oscar Hanson and Lorne Shanks each had a double and
single for Assiniboia.
L.Wooley (L), Prosofsky (5) and Lysack
Skjerven (W), A. Erfle (9) and Waterton
(August 8)
The Regina Red Sox kept their fading hopes of playoff action alive by
squeezing out an 8 - 7 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. The Sox kept the
flame flickering by scoring twice in the top of the 9th and then staving
off a Notre Dame comeback attempt in the bottom of the inning. Tommy
Leverick, who went all the way for the victory, had to pull himself out
of a big hole in the 9th as Nick Metz opened the frame with a solo
homer, his second of the game, to cut the Red Sox' lead to a single run.
With the potential tying and winning runs in scoring position, Leverick
then rose to the occasion by retiring three straight, two by the strikeout
route. Metz had two singles in addition to his two circuit clouts to take
batting honors. Southpaw Hugo Dombowsky was charged with the loss.
Sam Goodhue and Al Manz each collected three hits for the Redlegs.
Leverick (W) and Manz
Resch, Dombowsky (L) (7), L'Heureux (9) and Ross
(August 9)
The Weyburn Beavers, hitting when it mattered most, grabbed a 1/2 game
lead on the Southern League's second spot by scoring 8 runs in the final
two frames to drop the Regina Red Sox 12 - 8. Keith Covert, the Beavers'
veteran utility player, came up with a stellar relief chore to gain the
triumph. Frank Booth, the victim of Weyburn's five run outburst in the 8th
and final inning, was tagged with the defeat. Red Sox' starting pitcher
Hank Mitchell's three-run homer put the Crimson Hose ahead at the end of six
but they couldn't hold the margin in this contest that ended at the end
of the 8th when darkness set in. Doug Shupe had three hits to pace the
winners at the plate. Brothers Blaine and Jack Shupe both had a pair, one of
Blaine's being a triple. Art Rennie and Mitchell each stroked a brace
for the Sox.
Hoff, Covert (W) (6) and O'Brien
Mitchell, Booth (L) (8) and Manz
(August
10) Notre Dame's youthful Hounds vastly improved their odds of
qualifying for the Southern League playoffs by pounding out a 9 - 1
verdict over the hometown Weyburn Beavers as southpaw Hugo Dombowsky
uncorked a masterful six-hit pitching chore. The Hounds showed little
respect for either Gayle Shupe, chasing the veteran Weyburn right-hander
after he was touched for five runs in the initial inning, as well as the
Beavers' other long-term chucker, Ralph Hogg, tagging him for
four runs in
the 4th. Johnny Faford with 3 for 4 and Hap L'Heureux with
two hits were
the top stickers for Notre Dame while Jack Shupe notched
two safeties for
Weyburn.
G. Shupe (L), Hogg (1) and O'Brien
Dombowsky (W) and Ross
(August
11) The Assiniboia Aces virtually assured themselves of taking part in
the Southern League playoffs and at the same time, jolted Notre Dame's
hopes, by posting a thrilling 4 - 2 victory over the Hounds, a win which
lifted the Aces back into second place, Unfortunately for the Hounds,
errors played a prominent part in Assiniboia's victory and marred a
brilliant mound battle between the Aces' Lefty Erfle and
Hap L'Heureux
of Notre Dame. Rube Erfle and Lorne Shanks, each with
two singles, sparked
the Assiniboia offense. Shanks' two-run single in the 5th scored the
winning runs for the Aces.
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
L'Heureux (L) and Ross
(August
11) The Weyburn Beavers dropped into the precarious 4th position in the
Southern League by bowing 10 - 5 to the pennant-winning Moose Jaw
Lakers. In posting their 17th victory, the Lakers were out-hit 15 - 8
but cashed in on six Weyburn errors to run up their winning margin.
Weyburn left 14 runners stranded against winner Dave White.
Keith Covert
was the victim of shoddy fielding and took the loss. Jack and Doug
Shupe
plus Dave Hoff all had three hits for the Beavers. Ralph
Peterson was Moose
Jaw's offensive bright light, connecting for two doubles.
Covert (L) and O'Brien
White (W) and Peterson
(August
12) The Weyburn Beavers scored all their runs in the 8th inning and
walloped the Regina Royal Caps 8 - 3, a win which moved them into a 1/2
game lead ahead of the Reginans into third place. Portsider Dave
Hoff
went 8 innings to record the win. Loser Lloyd Wooley had a 3 - 0 lead
entering the bottom of the 8th but blew a tire and was driven from the
hill in favor of Lefty Harrison who failed to put out the fire in time.
Les Wilder and Jim Burge shared hitting honors for Weyburn, both going 3
for 5. Keith Covert had a 2 for 5 night while Jackie Fulton was best for
Regina, going two for three. Teammate Lou Lysack punched out
two hits in five
attempts.
L. Wooley (L), Harrison (8) and Lysack
Hoff (W), G. Shupe (9) and O'Brien
(August
13) The front-running Moose Jaw Lakers, who clinched the Southern League
pennant more than a week ago, delivered a staggering blow to the
Assiniboia Aces when they walked off with both ends of a doubleheader,
winning by identical 8 - 6 counts. The second contest was
called at the end of 7 1/2 innings because of darkness. In the afternoon
encounter, the Lakers' Don Devine slammed out a triple and
two doubles
against loser Paul Pearson. Ray Nutzhorn struck out the final batter in
the game when Moose Jaw starter and winner Bob Bell relinquished
pitching duties following an 8 2/3 inning mound stint. Nutzhorn had a
double and single for Moose Jaw while Bob Chapman and Bell each had a
brace of singles.
Pearson (L) and Waterton
Bell (W), Nutzhorn (9) and Peterson
In the
evening affair, the Lakers exploded for five runs in the 2nd frame and then
coasted the rest of the way for the victory. Wally Blaisdell, with
bullpen help from Jack Devine, picked up the win over Gord
Skjerven. Bob Chapman was best at the dish for the Lakers with a triple and single.
Skjerven (L), Logan (2), A. Erfle (4) and Waterton
Blaisdell (W), J. Devine (7) and Peterson
(August
15) The Notre Dame Hounds divided a doubleheader with the Estevan-Bienfait
Coalers, losing 10 - 3 in the opener and winning a 10 - 6 slugfest in
the nightcap. In the matinee affair, Orval Verpe kept Hound hitters well
in check while his teammates struck for two big innings to provide him
with plenty of cushion. Notre Dame starter Hap L'Heureux was the loser.
Nasie Schnell's two-run homer in the 3rd put the Coalers ahead to stay.
The Hounds Frank Germann lit up Verpe for the circuit in the 8th with
the bases bare.
L'Heureux (L), Resch (6) and Ross
Verpe (W) and Jackson
In the
second tilt, lefthander Hugo Dombowsky. a former Coaler, was the winning
pitcher although he had his bell rung for 6 runs in the 7th. George
Roy
was charged with the loss. Notre Dame's Nick Metz provided the heavy
hitting by connecting for two home runs.
Roy (L), G. McKechney (3) and Jackson
Dombowsky (W) and Ross, Germann (8)
(August
15) The Regina Royal Caps' chances of making the playoffs were vastly
diminished with a 4 - 2 setback at the hands of the Moose Jaw Lakers.
Right-hander Jack Devine went all the way for Moose Jaw to record the win
as the Lakers pinned the defeat on Ed Heidt. Mel Hennenfent paced the
Lakers at the plate with three singles in four attempts while brother Bill
connected for two. First sacker Doug Hingley led the Regina hitters with a
2 for 4 performance. Jackie Fulton of the Royal Caps had a triple, the
only extra base hit of the game.
J. Devine (W) and Smith
Heidt (L) and Lysack, McNabb (8)
(August
17) Weyburn's reliable Beavers clinched second spot in the Southern
League by knocking off Moose Jaw's league-leading Lakers 3 - 1. Ralph
Hogg, the old Beavers' smoothie, kept his season's unbeaten record
intact on the strength of a five-hitter. Wally Blaisdell gave up
six hits in
absorbing the defeat. Tied 1 - 1 in the 3rd, Weyburn's Dan O'Brien stole
home with what proved to be the winning run.
Blaisdell (L) and Smith
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
(August
17) The hustling Notre Dame Hounds squeezed into the Southern League
playoffs when they dropped the sagging Regina Royal Caps 10 - 4 in a
game called after five innings because of rain and darkness. Notre Dame's
victory shoved them into a third place deadlock with the Assiniboia Aces
which sets up a sudden-death saw-off with the winner opposing second
place Weyburn while the loser will have to face the run-away first place
Moose Jaw Lakers. The Hounds scored five times in the 1st inning off loser
Lefty Harrison and never looked back from there. Hugo
Dombowsky took the
win for the collegians and was never in serious trouble. Murray
Huck and
Nick Metz had a brace of hits for the Dogs while Jackie
Fulton, Paul Sembaliuk and Harrison reciprocated for the Reginans.
Dombowsky (W) and Ross
Harrison (L), Heidt (2) and Lysack
Final Standings
Moose Jaw Lakers 20 -
5 .800
Weyburn Beavers 14
- 12 .538
Assiniboia Aces 13
- 13 .500
Notre Dame Hounds 13 - 13 .500
Regina Royal Caps 12 - 14 .462
Regina Red Sox
12 - 14 .462
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 10 - 15 .400
Avonlea Arrows
3 - 11 .214
(August
19) The Assiniboia Aces, newcomers to the Southern League, captured the
sudden-death playoff to determine third place when they clipped the
Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 3. Gord Skjerven turned in a great
two way effort to
spark the Aces. He collected three of Assiniboia's seven hits off loser Phil
Resch, drove in four and held Notre Dame to five hits until he stopped a hot
line-drive and was forced to leave the game in the 7th. He struck out
seven
and didn't walk a batter. Frank Germann hit a towering two-run homer for
the Hounds. The Aces' victory sends them up against the second place
Weyburn Beavers in one semi-final while the Hounds now must tackle the
pennant-winning Moose Jaw Lakers in the other.
Skjerven (W), A. Erfle (7) and Waterton
Resch (L) and Germann
PLAY-OFFS :
(August
23) Weyburn's veteran Beavers, behind Gayle Shupe's fine hurling,
defeated the Assiniboia Aces 6 - 0 to grab a one game lead in their
best-of-three Southern League semi-final. Shupe was in his best form and
limited the Aces to but five hits in posting the shutout. Only twice did
Assiniboia runners get as far as third base and, on both occasions, the
big right-hander retired the side by striking out the batter. The Beavers
scored four times off Lefty Erfle in the 3rd and that was all the margin
they needed. Weyburn's Bill Garner and Keith Covert were the leading
hitters of the night, both going 2 for 5. Wes Reader was the only Aces'
player to solve Shupe for two hits.
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(August
24) The Moose Jaw Lakers got the jump on the Notre Dame Hounds in their
semi-final series as veteran right-hander Dave White pitched a
two-hitter
that vaulted them to a 9 - 2 win. The game ended after 8 innings when
darkness swept the skies. With the count knotted at 2 - 2 entering the
bottom of the 6th, the Lakers hauled out their heavy artillery and
blasted out seven hits to push home five big runs against loser Hugo Dombowsky.
Bill Hennenfent, Mel Hennenfent and White were best at the plate for
Moose Jaw with a brace of singles apiece. Nick Metz accounted for both
Notre Dame hits.
Dombowsky (L) and Germann
White (W) and Peterson
(August
25) Bob Chapman, second baseman with the Moose Jaw Lakers, is the new
batting champion of the Southern League. Chapman collected 41 safe blows
in 110 official at-bats to take the crown with a .372 average. Hank
Dornstauder of the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers was runner-up at .365 while
Jack Shupe of the Weyburn Beavers followed at .350. Ralph
Hogg, the
ageless wonder of the Weyburn Beavers, captured pitching honors with a
perfect 4 - 0 record.
Top 10 hitters
Bob Chapman (Moose Jaw Lakers)
41 - 110 .372
Hank Dornstauder (Estevan-Bienfait Coalers) 39 - 107 .365
Jack Shupe (Weyburn Beavers)
36 - 103 .350
Jim Burge (Weyburn Beavers)
37 - 107 .346
Gord Skjerven (Assiniboia Aces)
27 - 80 .337
Frank Germann (Notre Dame Hounds)
25 - 75 .333
Tim Daley (Notre Dame Hounds)
29 - 90 .322
Don Wooley (Regina Royal Caps)
38 - 120 .317
Ralph Peterson (Moose Jaw Lakers)
27 - 85 .317
Rube Erfle (Assiniboia Aces)
31 - 99 .313
Leading Pitchers
Ralph Hogg (Weyburn Beavers)
4 - 0 1.000
Jack Devine (Moose Jaw Lakers)
5 - 1 .833
Dave White (Moose Jaw Lakers)
4 - 1 .800
Phil Resch (Notre Dame Hounds)
3 - 1 .750
Hugo Dombowsky (Estevan-Bienfait/Notre Dame) 7 - 4 .636
(August
28) The Notre Dame Hounds, behind Lionel "Hap" L'Heureux's shutout
hurling stopped the Moose Jaw Lakers 3 - 0 to even their semi-final
series at one game each. Jack Devine was saddled with the loss as his
teammates' offense sputtered against L'Heureux who set down 13 via the
strikeout route.
J. Devine (L) and Peterson
L'Heureux (W) and Germann
(August
29) The Assiniboia Aces blasted the Weyburn Beavers 12 - 1 to tie their
best-of-three semi-final series. Exploding for six runs in the 1st frame, the
Aces were easy winners. Weyburn's only tally was of the unearned variety
off winning pitcher Paul Pearson. Ralph Hogg was hung out to dry by the
Aces' squad and took the loss. George Ciocia and Lorne
Shanks each had three
hits for Assiniboia while Bill Garner, Dan O'Brien and Hogg had
two apiece
for Weyburn. Rube Erfle, the Aces' veteran shortstop, had a home run for
the winners.
Hogg (L), Covert (1), Hogg (2), Covert (5) and O'Brien
Pearson (W) and Shanks
(August
29) The Moose Jaw Lakers advanced to the Southern League final series
when they sidelined the Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 6 in the deciding game of
the best-of-three semi-final. The powerful Lakers pushed across three
runs in
the 1st inning and were never headed. Dave White grabbed the pitching
decision over Hugo Dombowsky. White's only major nemesis was former NHL
star Nick Metz who lit him up for two doubles and a single.
Ed Magis and
Bob Donald also kicked in with two hits each of the eight in total that White
surrendered. For Moose Jaw, Ray Nutzhorn had a triple and single while
the Hennenfent brothers, Mel and Bill, each came through with a pair of
singles.
Dombowsky (L), Resch (6) and Germann
White (W) and Peterson
(August
30) Playing errorless ball behind the six-hit pitching of Gayle Shupe, the
Weyburn Beavers pounded out a decisive 9 - 2 victory over the Assiniboia
Aces and moved into the Southern League final to face the Moose Jaw
Lakers. The win for Shupe was his second straight in playoff action.
Loser Gord Skjerven was battered from the hill in the 5th as Weyburn
rolled to an impressive 8 - 0 lead. Leading hitters for the Beavers were
Jack Shupe and Bill Garner who both had two hits.
Doug Shupe connected for
a two-run homer. For Assiniboia, Rube Erfle was the best at the plate,
going 2 for 4.
Skjerven (L), A. Erfle (5) and Shanks
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(September
1) The Moose Jaw Lakers exploded for 8 runs in the 1st inning and added
an additional three in the 2nd to score an easy 11 - 5 victory over the
Weyburn Beavers in the opening game of the Southern League final. Wally
Blaisdell allowed the Beavers five hits while striking out 10 as he went
the route for the win in this 6 1/2 inning abbreviated game. Losing
chucker, southpaw Dave Hoff, was pasted hard and often in the bottom of
the opening frame after the Beavers had opened up a top-of-the-first 3 -
0 lead. Outstanding slugger for the Lakers was Don Devine who blasted a
triple and two singles in four trips to the plate. Teammate Mel Hennenfent
had a single and double in three tries.
Hoff (L), Covert (1) and O'Brien
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
(September
3) A fighting band of Weyburn Beavers drew abreast of the Moose Jaw
Lakers when they slammed the regular season pennant winners 10 - 6 in
the second match of their best-of-five final series. Both teams banged out
12 hits in the 6 1/2 inning shortened battle. Weyburn blew the game wide
open in the 5th when they plated five tallies to take a 10 - 3 lead and
drive Lakers' starter Jack Devine from the hill, handing
Ralph Hogg the
victory. Doug Shupe, Jim Burge, Dave
Hoff and Hogg all had a pair of
hits for the winners. Ray Nutzhorn was Moose Jaw's top batsman going 3
for 4. With two-hit production were Baldy Smith and Mel
Hennenfent.
J. Devine (L), Nutzhorn (5) and Peterson
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
(September
5) The Weyburn Beavers moved out in front in the best-of-five Southern
League final when they dropped the Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 2 in a rain
shortened tussle. A brilliant pitching display by the Beavers' Gayle
Shupe, who held the Lakers to only three hits in the 7 innings played, gives
Weyburn a 2 -1 stranglehold in the series. Right-hander Dave White was
the losing pitcher. With the score deadlocked at 2 - 2 entering the 6th
inning, the Beavers bounced into a 4 - 2 lead as Dave Hoff drove in both
runs with a single. Two more runs in the 7th sewed up the victory.
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
White (L), Nutzhorn (7) and Peterson
(September
8) A two-run homer by Bill Hennenfent in the 5th inning, with the home
club clinging to a 4 - 3 lead, provided the margin of victory when the
visiting Moose Jaw Lakers edged the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 4 to force a
deciding game in the best-of-five Southern League final. Jack Devine went
all 9 innings for the Lakers to pick up the win and pin the loss on
Ralph Hogg. Bob Chapman, winner of the the league batting title, came
through with two doubles and a triple for the Moose Jaw contingent. Keith Covert was best for Weyburn, going 2 for 4.
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
Hogg (L) and O'Brien
(September
26) Following 18 days of absolutely horrible weather, the 1954 Southern
League finally came to a conclusion and the Moose Jaw Lakers were
crowned new champions following their smashing 7 - 1 thumping of the
Weyburn Beavers. Jack Devine was the hero of the showdown battle delayed
numerous times by inclement conditions after the teams had split the
first four games in the best-of-five affair. The veteran Moose Jaw right-hander
was superb, limiting the heavy-hitting Beavers to just four safeties. While
Devine was silencing the Weyburn artillery, the Lakers nicked loser
Gayle Shupe and reliever Ralph Hogg, Weyburn's senior baseball citizens,
for 11 safeties. The Lakers struck early and had a 6 - 0 cushion after
four
innings were in the books. Catcher Ralph Peterson was the heavy woodsman
for the victorious Lakers, pounding out 3 for 4. Don Devine and
Mel Hennenfent each had two base blasts. Right fielder George
Knox was best
for Weyburn with two doubles.
G. Shupe (L), Hogg (5) and Covert
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
|