The points system, initially implemented a year ago to accommodate tie game results, will remain in effect for 1978. The status quo also applies to the extra imports allowed for Eston and Unity as well as the determination of playoff pairings. In the SMBL, it’s geographical location rather than position in the standings which determines who plays whom in the semi-final rounds. The prime innovation for this season within the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League will be the adoption of the Designated Hitter rule.
1978 SMBL GAME REPORTS
(May 26) The defending SMBL champion Regina Red Sox scored four runs in the first inning and went on to down the Moose Jaw Devons 10 to 5 in the league opener in Regina. In all, the hard-hitting Red Stockings hit safely a dozen times and had two-hit performances from five players. Warren Kivell and rookies Bob Forshner and Roger Ostlund each hit a single and double while Bill Bell and Jerry Zrymiak both singled twice. Regina starting pitcher Randy Sawa worked the first five innings and got credit for the win. Dan Andrie, who lasted until midway through the fifth inning, was tagged with the loss. One of the Devons eight hits was a homer by Ken Neff in the ninth inning.
Andrie (L), Baba (5) and Devine
Sawa (W), Deighton (6), Wanner (8) and Logan
(May 28) The Eston Ramblers, boosted by Rod McIvor’s three-single output, defeated the Unity Cardinals 7 to 3 in SMBL play. Robert Murphy, who relieved starter Neil McMillan in the fourth inning, recorded the mound win for the Nomads while Dennis Rogers, the second of three pitchers for the Redbirds, took the loss. Murray Holmes and Don Sasser each had a double and single for Eston. Bryan Adams singled twice for the losers.
Gehring, Rogers (L) (4), Wilson (7) and Wilburn
McMillan, Murphy (W) (4), Sasser (6) and Morrice
(May 28) Hosting a doubleheader featuring two different opponents can certainly have its drawbacks. Just ask the Moose Jaw Devons who were more than hospitable on both occasions when they were lambasted by the visiting Regina Red Sox 14 to 8 in the first chapter of a twin-bill then saw the travellers from Saskatoon, better known as the Patrick Liners, come into their backyard and knock them off 6 to 2 in the follow-up contest. The Red Sox were merciless in the opener, pounding out 23 hits against the Devons. Andy Logan paced the Sox with five hits while teammates Rich Gergley with four and Bill Bell with three followed. One of Bell’s trio of base knocks was the game’s only homer. Four other members of the Crimson Hose added to the offensive onslaught. Ross Mahoney, Hugh Christian, Jerry Zrymiak and Bob Forshner all had two base blows. Regina rookie Ross Lynd picked up his first SMBL mound win after toiling the initial five frames while the loss was pinned on Brian Chalmers.
Lynd (W), Kit (6), Blom (8), Hengen (9) and Logan
Chalmers (L), Heisler and Devine
Lightning struck the Devons a second time in one day in Saskatoon’s opening game of the season. Import chucker Jerry Wek brought his A-game to the Friendly City and stymied the hosts on four hits while fanning ten. Shortstop Gary Hollman of the Liners had three hits off losing twirler Pete Maus, one of which was a first-inning home run that got the visitors off on the right foot. Roy Kemp and Colin Blyth each had a double and single as part of the Hub City 12-hit arsenal while Dick Hanson stroked a pair of singles. Brad Devine paced the Devons’ hitting attack with a double and a single..
Wek (W) and xxx
Maus (L) and Devine
(May 31) It took quite a while for the Saskatoon Patrick Liners to finally get around to their SMBL home-opener because of the weather. As things turned out at Cairns Field, the Liners might have wanted to wait even longer to get things under way. The visiting Unity Cardinals built up a rather imposing 10 to 1 lead after the first three innings before Saskatoon got down to work. But, it was too little, too late and the Cardinals emerged with a 10 to 7 win. Egbert Stang, the first of three Unity pitchers was credited with the win. Starting twirler Lloyd Guenther of the Saskatonians was the victim of the early Redbird uprising and suffered the loss. The issue was essentially settled in the second inning when the Cards broke loose for seven runs. Unity got what proved to be the winning margin in the third inning when Rod Gehring blasted a three-run circuit-jack over the right centre field fence. Gehring finished as the game’s top hitter with three base knocks. Randy Munch, Gary Wilburn and Bob Brown each added a pair of hits in the 13-hit Unity attack. Import Greg Giguiere was impressive in his Saskatoon debut, drilling a triple and double. Gary Hollman, Roy Kemp, Colin Blyth, Dwayne Andreen and Greg Melvin each added a pair of hits to the Patrick's 13 base rap arsenal.
Stang (W), Rogers (6), Wilson (9) and xxx
Guenther (L), Friess (2), Mihalich (4), Wek (7) and Woronuik
(June 3) The Moose Jaw Devons picked up their first win of the young SMBL campaign with a 6 to 4 triumph over the homestanding Unity Cardinals. Losers of their first three starts, the Devons pounded out ten hits off loser Rod Gehring. Unity had only five hits off winner Dan Andrie yet left 12 runners on base. Rod Heisler was Moose Jaw’s leading hitter, going three-for-four. Brian Haseb and Ken Haanen both stroked doubles for the Cards.
Andrie (W) and xxx
Gehring (L) and xxx
(June 3) The Regina Red Sox defeated the Eston Ramblers 13 to 9 in an SMBL game played in Eston. In racking up their third win of the season, the Red Stockings had home runs from Rich Gergley and Doug Senyk. Gergley added a one-bagger to finish with a two-hit game. Regina’s Andy Logan had the hottest bat of anyone on the diamond as he connected for two doubles and two singles. Bill Bell singled twice in support of winning pitcher Randy Sawa. Don Sasser hit a double and two singles for the Wanderers while Robert Murphy contributed a double and a single. Tyler Steinbach of the Ramblers was the losing flinger.
Logan (W), xxx and xxx
Steinbach (L) and xxx
(June 4) The Eston Ramblers and Moose Jaw Devons split an SMBL doubleheader as Moose Jaw took the opener 4 to 3 while the Ramblers came back for a 4 to 0 victory in the nightcap. Craig Bacheller’s solo homer in the seventh off the slants of loser Robert Murphy broke a 3 – 3 tie and gave the Devons their margin of victory in the matinee event. Pete Maus, in a relief role, picked up the hill victory. Ted Brennecke had two singles for the Nomads while Don Sasser clouted a two-run round-tripper.
Andrie, Devine (3), Maus (W) (3) and Devine, xxx (3)
Murphy (L) and Morrice
Eston’s Don Sasser tossed an impressive five-hit shutout in the late encounter and received all the offensive support he would require when outfielder Blythe Irvine hit a run-scoring single in the fourth inning. Irvine as well as teammates Robert Murphy and Reg Andrew all lit up losing chucker Pete Maus for a brace of base knocks.
Maus (L) and Devine
Sasser (W) and McDonald
(June 4) At Unity, the Cardinals handed the Regina Red Sox their first loss of the season, 6 to 4, in the lid-lifter of a twin-bill. The Crimson Hose came back to capture the second encounter 14 to 12. Regina’s Doug Simon and Rich Gergley both blasted circuit clouts off winning pitcher Jack Wilson in the curtain-raiser. Wilson had 7 strikeouts in recording the triumph and didn’t walk a single Regina batter. Wade Wanner was nicked with the mound defeat. Unity’s leading hitters were Gary Wilburn with a double and two singles and Bob Brown with a triple and a one-bagger.
Wanner (L) and xxx
Wilson (W) and Wilburn
The Redlegs unleashed 13 hits in the second game slugfest. Andy Logan led the way with a triple and two singles. Newcomer Ross Lynd of the Sox got the mound nod over Dennis Rogers of the Cards. Randy Munch, Brian Flasch and Bryan Adams had two hits apiece for the losers.
Lynd (W) and xxx
Rogers (L), Stang and xxx
SMBL standings as of the end of June 4
W L T Pts.
Regina Red Sox 4 1 0 8
Eston Ramblers 2 2 0 4
Unity Cardinals 2 3 0 4
Moose Jaw Devons 2 4 0 4
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 1 1 0 2
(June 5) Southpaw twirler Rod Heisler struck out 12 and limited the visiting Patrick Liners to eight safeties as he sparked the Moose Jaw Devons to a comfortable 7 to 1 win over the visitors from Saskatoon in an SMBL game played at Ross Wells Park. Losing pitcher Jerry Wek gave up nine hits and fanned an equal number. Moose Jaw took an early lead with single runs in the first two frames and then broke the contest wide open with a three-run fifth inning. Brad Devine, Craig Bacheller, Pete Maus and Dave Kennedy all collected a pair of base knocks for the winners. Scott Woronuik was the Liners’ top swatter with a double and single while Cal Thompson and Roy Kemp each added a pair of singles.
Wek (L) and Woronuik
Heisler (W) and Devine
(June 7) Rick Mortenson produced a run-scoring single in the bottom of the tenth inning as the Saskatoon Patrick Liners scored an impressive 7 to 6 come-from-behind victory over the Regina Red Sox. The Truckers had to fight back from an early 5 to 0 deficit as the Scarlet Stockings rocked Saskatoon starter Dwayne Andreen for four counters in the second and an additional one in the third. Lloyd Guenther picked up the hurling victory in relief of Andreen. Loser Tim Hengen gave up ten Saskatoon safeties in chucking the entire ten frames. Mortenson and Darryl Ramstead both had three hits off Hengen. In addition to his game-winning base hit, Mortenson blasted a three-run homer in the fourth which put the homesters on the comeback trail and also added a two-bagger. Jerry Zrymiak and Doug Simon each had a double plus two singles for the Red Sox.
Andreen, Guenther (W) (7) and Giguiere
Hengen (L) and Logan
(June 7) The hometown Unity Cardinals edged the Eston Ramblers 6 to 5. The winning tally was plated in the bottom of the ninth.
Steinbach (L), Brennecke (9) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(June 9) The Unity Cardinals took advantage of some costly errors by the Saskatoon Patrick Liners to post a 6 to 2 win in SMBL action at Cairns Field. Unity took an early 2 to 0 lead and stretched the margin to 4 – 0 before the Liners scored twice in the eighth to narrow the margin. That was as close as Saskatoon was able to come. The U-Birds’ Jack Wilson scattered nine hits and struck out six in recording the pitching win while Greg Giguiere, relieved by Lloyd Guenther in the ninth, suffered the loss. The Patrick’s duo yielded a combined total 12 hits. Gord Johnson hit a two-run round-tripper for the Redbirds while Roy Kemp was the top dog with the lumber for the Transport Troupe, nailing a double and two singles. Bob Brown, Bryan Adams, Gary Wilburn and Brian Flasch all recorded two hits for the Cards.
Wilson (W) and xxx
Giguiere (L), Guenther (9) and Woronuik, xxx (8)
SMBL leading hitters as of end of June 9
AB H Aver.
Andy Logan (Regina Red Sox) 26 16 .616
Don Sasser (Eston Ramblers) 17 9 .529
Rich Gergley (Regina Red Sox) 22 10 .455
Roy Kemp (Saskatoon Patrick Liners) 22 10 .455
Jerry Zrymiak (Regina Red Sox) 20 9 .450
Bob Brown (Unity Cardinals) 26 10 .384
Doug Simon (Regina Red Sox) 23 8 .347
Ted Brennecke (Eston Ramblers) 21 7 .333
Gary Hollman (Saskatoon Patrick Liners) 21 7 .333
Bill Bell (Regina Red Sox) 25 8 .320
(June 11) After living through the nightmare of being being whipped 16 to 2 by the Eston Ramblers in the first game of a split-opponent double-bill at Cairns Field, the Saskatoon Patrick Liners came up with one of their most balanced performances of the season in the nightcap to defeat the Unity Cardinals 9 to 5. In the opener, Eston’s leadoff hitter, Ted Brennecke strode to the plate to start the game and promptly parked a pitch from Saskatoon starter Mike Mihalich over the fence. It was a sign of things to come. The Nomads unleashed a 19-hit attack off four Bridge City hurlers. It was just 2 to 1 in favour of Eston until the visitors exploded for four runs in the fourth and then added eight more in the fifth frame. Brennecke, Robert Murphy and Don Sasser all had circuit-jacks for the winners. Colin Blythe hit one out for the Truckers. Neil McMillan pitched a five-hitter while striking out eight in recording the win for the Wanderers. Mihalich was the loser in his first mound decision since joining the Liners.
McMillan (W) and Morrice
Mihalich (L), Guenther (5), Elliot (5), Friess (5) and Giguiere
The Liners did all their scoring in two innings of the finale against the U-Birds but it was done in a big enough way that the Cardinals were left reeling. The Liners battered losing pitcher Shane Lindzy for five runs in the third inning and added four more in the sixth. In suffering the loss, Lindzy was lit up for 13 Saskatoon safeties. Jerry Wek scattered 11 Unity base raps while fanning a dozen in earning the complete-game win. Gary Hollman and Cal Thompson each had a double and two singles for the Saskatonians while Colin Blyth added a triple and single. Gary Wilburn led the Redbirds at the platter with four hits. Bryan Adams added three base knocks including a bases-empty tater. Bob Brown also had a four-bagger for the Cards.
Lindzy (L) and Wilburn
Wek (W) and Woronuik
(June 12) The Moose Jaw Devons overcame a 5 – 0 deficit to defeat the Regina Red Sox 6 to 5 in SMBL action at Ross Wells Park. Dan Andrie’s run scoring double in the bottom of the ninth inning won it for the homesters. Pete Maus picked up the pitching win in a relief role, coming to the aid of Andie while the Red Stockings were building up their early lead. Veteran left-hander Randy Sawa was tagged with the loss. Dave Kennedy and Craig Bacheller each collected a trio of hits for Moose Jaw while Brad Hennenfent cracked out a pair. Doug Simon and Doug Senyk both smacked three base blows for the Redlegs and teammate Jerry Zrymiak added a brace.
Andrie, Maus (W) (3) and Devine
Sawa (L) and Ostlund
(June 14) The Eston Ramblers found it tough slugging without two of their brightest lights in the SMBL. Operating without imports Robert Murphy and Ted Brennecke, both of whom are bound for major league farm teams, the Ramblers fell 5 to 2 to the Unity Cardinals in Eston. Murphy, who led the circuit last season with 126 strikeouts is headed for the Seattle Mariners organization and Brennecke has been signed by the Minnesota Twins. Jack Wilson hurled the win for the Cards, limiting the Ramblers to five hits while whiffing ten. Losing twirler Don Sasser surrendered seven hits and fanned an equal number. Gary Wilburn and Glen Miller had home runs for Unity while Randy Arthur blasted one for the Nomads. Miller and Brian Flasch both had two hits for the U-Birds.
Wilson (W) and Wilburn
Sasser (L) and Morrice
(June 14) The Moose Jaw Devons scored three times in the top of the first inning and that was all they needed to whip the Saskatoon Patrick Liners 7 to 0 in SMBL action at Cairns Field. Southpaw Rod Heisler looked impressive while picking up the shutout win for Moose Jaw, scattering seven hits and striking out seven. Dwayne Andreen was charged with the loss after giving up four runs and three walks in two innings. Pete Maus was the big man at the plate for the Devons, going three for four and driving in three runs. Brad Hennenfent added a pair of doubles. Gary Hollman replied with three hits for the Liners, including a double and Colin Blyth contributed a single and double.
Heisler (W) and Devine
Andreen (L), Guenther (2), Hanson (7) and Woronuik, Giguiere (2)
SMBL standings as of the end of June 14
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Devons 5 4 0 10
Unity Cardinals 5 4 0 10
Regina Red Sox 4 3 0 8
Eston Ramblers 3 4 0 6
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 3 5 0 6
(June 16) The Regina Red Sox took over first place in the SMBL following a 9 to 0 shellacking of the Saskatoon Patrick Liners. The blanking of the Liners stretched their scoring famine to 18 innings. Rain shortened the game to 6 1/2 innings. Tim Hengen gave up three hits, all coming early in the game, in posting the complete game shutout win for Regina. Loser Jerry Wek suffered the loss in a route-going performance as he allowed 12 hits while striking out five. Jim Paisley drilled three singles for the Sox, knocking in two runs. Doug Simon’s home run and sacrifice fly were also good for a brace of RBI’s. Rich Gergley with a pair of doubles and Doug Senyk and Andy Logan, both with two singles were the other multiple-hit gatherers for the Scarlet Stockings. Rick Mortenson had a two-base hit for the Liners.
Wek (L) and xxx
Hengen (W) and Logan
(June 17) Ken Haanen drove in five runs with a three-hit performance in backing winning chucker Rod Gehring and the Unity Cardinals to a 10 to 9 win against the Regina Red Sox. Haanen’s output of two doubles plus a single off the slants of loser Randy Sawa was backed by teammates Bob Brown who blasted a home run and a single as well as Gord Johnson who drilled a pair of two-baggers. Outfielder Ross Mahoney launched a pair of home runs for the Crimson Hose to go along with a single. Rich Gergley had three singles for Regina while Jerry Zrymiak, Doug Senyk and Andy Logan all singled twice.
Sawa (L) and xxx
Gehring (W) and xxx
(June 17) Winning pitcher Tyler Steinbach singled home the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Eston Ramblers a narrow 1 to 0 SMBL victory over the Moose Jaw Devons. Steinbach limited the Friendly City visitors to four base hits while whiffing seven in earning the shutout win. Losing tosser Dan Andrie was touched for six hits and fanned an equal number of Eston batters.
Andrie (L) and Devine
Steinbach (W) and Wilburn
(June 18) Displaying plenty of offensive fireworks, the Eston Ramblers took both ends of a doubleheader from the visiting Regina Red Sox in Eston. The hometowners had 11 to 7 and 16 to 12 dual thumpings of the Queen City crew. In the first game, the Ramblers pounded out 15 hits in support of winning twirler Steve Kaia who had seven strikeouts.Giguiere,led Eston at the plate with three hits, a double plus a pair of home runs. Randy Arthur also had three base knocks for the Nomads while Don Sasser had two. Andy Logan, Rich Gergley and Ross Mahoney all launched dingers for the Crimson Hose. Regina’s Ross Lynd picked up seven strikeouts in taking the mound loss.
Lynd (L) and Logan
Kaia (W) and xxx
Greg Zunino took to the hill for the Wanderers in the second encounter and came away with the victory in spite of the batting heroics of Regina’s Andy Logan. The Red Sox catcher accumulated a home run, two doubles and a single. The Capital City squad out hit their hosts 14 to 7 but committed six errors which made things miserable for starter Wade Wanner and losing flinger Tim Hengen. The Red Sox duo allowed a whopping 14 bases on balls during the match. Don McDonald of the Ramblers and Regina’s Doug Simon both had a brace of base raps.
Wanner, Hengen (L) and Logan
Sasser, Zunino (W), Kaia (6) and xxx
(June 18) The host Unity Cardinals split a twin-bill with the baseballers from Moose Jaw, edging by the Devons 5 to 4 in the matinee event but dropping the second encounter 2 to 0. Jack Wilson of the Redbirds picked off the close mound decision over Moose Jaw’s Phil Flanagan in the early game. Wilson allowed nine Mill City base hits and fanned four while giving up only one earned run. Unity’s Gary Wilburn and Gord Johnson led the winners offensively with two singles apiece while Bob Brown, Randy Munch and Glen Miller each had a double. Craig Bacheller had a triple, double and single at the dish in leading the Devons’ swatters. Ned Andreoni and Pete Maus each contributed two singles while Brad Hennenfent added a two-bagger.
Flanagan (L) and xxx
Wilson (W) and xxx
Pete Maus of the Mill City gang tossed an impressive one-hit shutout in the late contest. Gary Wilburn’s single was the only base rap that the U-Birds could muster. Maus backed up his hurling performance with a two-single output from the batters’ box. Shane Lindzy was the loser.
Maus (W) and Devine
Lindzy (L) and Wilburn
(June 20) Playing-manager Terry Christman of the Saskatoon Patrick Liners made his SMBL debut in the Queen City as his club fought to a 5 – 5 tie with the Regina Red Sox. Working from the hill for the first five frames of a seven inning contest that couldn’t continue because the lights at Red Sox Field were not operational, the southpaw chucker fell behind early, settled down and was largely instrumental in putting the Patrick Liners back on even terms with some heavy hitting, including a three-run homer. The Red Sox got off to their fast start with Doug Simon’s two-run circuit-clout being the key blow. Saskatoon had an excellent chance to win the affair in the seventh when Christman led off with a double and Colin Blyth followed with a single. But then things started to go wrong as Blyth was thrown out trying to steal second and Christman was out at the plate trying to score on a suicide squeeze attempt. Christman had a single in addition to his two extra-base blows while Roy Kemp added a pair of singles for the Liners. Andy Logan of the Sox continued his torrid hitting pace with a triple and double while Jerry Zrymiak had a pair of two-baggers.
Christman, Wek (6) and Woronuik
Hengen, Lynd (3), Wanner (7) and Logan
SMBL standings as of end of June 20
W L T Pts.
Unity Cardinals 7 5 0 14
Eston Ramblers 6 4 0 12
Moose Jaw Devons 6 6 0 12
Regina Red Sox 5 6 1 11
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 3 6 1 7
(June 21) The Moose Jaw Devons exploded for seven runs in the second inning and went on to whip the Saskatoon Patrick Liners 12 to 2 in SMBL action at Ross Wells Park. Phil Flanagan allowed only one Saskatoon hit while whiffing eleven in his seven innings of toeing the rubber. Southpaw Bob Currie, last season a member of the Regina Red Sox, worked the last two frames for Moose Jaw, surrendering a run and a hit. Lloyd Guenther was the starter and loser for the Liners. He was given an early exit, being driven to the showers in the disastrous second and replaced by Jerry Wek. The Saskatoon tandem allowed eleven hits. Playing-manager Jim Baba sparked the Devons at the plate with two home runs and five RBI’s. Brad Devine and Pete Maus both added a brace of base raps for the winners. Terry Christman singled twice for the Truckers.
Guenther (L), Wek (2) and xxx
Flanagan (W), Currie (8) and Devine
(June 21) Playing at Unity, the Eston Ramblers scored a run in the tenth inning to nip the hometown Cardinals 5 to 4. The victory for the Wanderers elevates them into a first-place deadlock in the SMBL with both the Moose Jaw Devons and the U-Birds. Neil McMillan, who no doubt was fretting after the Ramblers fell behind 4 to 1 after six innings, picked up the pitching win. Egbert Stang was nailed with the loss. Greg Balas hit a triple and two singles to lead Eston’s attack. Glen Miller stroked three singles for the Redbirds.
McMillan (W) and xxx
Stang (L) and xxx
(June 24) In a slugfest at Red Sox Field that featured plenty of heavy hitting, the Regina Red Sox edged the Unity Cardinals 8 to 7. Warren Kivell’s bases-empty dinger in the bottom of the ninth frame broke a 7 – 7 tie and gave the Sox the walkoff win. Kivell’s blast was the eighth circuit-jack of the game. Outfielder Ross Mahoney drilled a pair of four-baggers for Regina while Doug Simon, Bill Bell and Kivell added the others for the winners. Gord Johnson, Glen Miller and Gary Wilburn all connected long-distance for the U-Birds. Mike Blaisdell, the last of three junior pitchers called up by the Red Sox, worked the ninth frame and got credit for the win. Jack Wilson toiled on the hill the entire game for the losing Redbirds.
Wilson (L) and Wilburn
Bourassa, Petruniak (8), Blaisdell (W) (9) and Logan
(June 24) The red-hot Moose Jaw Devons cruised to a 7 to 1 victory over the visiting Eston Ramblers. The hosts out hit the Ramblers 11 to 8. Jim Baba was one of three Devons who launched home runs in support of winning chucker Pete Maus. Ned Andreoni and Brad Devine were the others. Devine finished the outing with a three-for-four game while fellow-Devon Dave Kennedy picked up a brace of raps. Losing hurler Don Sasser was Eston’s most productive swatter with three base blows.
Sasser (L) and Morrice
Maus (W) and Devine
(June 25) The Regina Red Sox gained a split of a Sunday doubleheader against the Eston Ramblers with an 8 to 1 win in the second game after the Ramblers had captured the first contest 8 to 7. Both chuckers in the matinee game were tagged for nine hits and both served up four home run balls. It took an extra inning before Eston emerged victorious. Reg Andrew slugged a pair of round-trippers for the Nomads while Tyler Steinbach and Rod McIvor each had one. Ross Mahoney, Bill Bell, Doug Simon and Rich Gergley all connected for Queen City taters.
Kaia (W) and Morrice
Lynd (L) and Ostlund
Regina’s Wade Wanner effectively scattered six hits while limiting the Wanderers to a lone tally as he earned the follow-up game hurling win. Eston’s Tyler Steinbach was touched for nine safeties, including circuit clouts by Bill Bell, Doug Simon and Ross Mahoney, in taking the loss. Steinbach also issued nine walks which were instrumental in his downfall.
Steinbach (L) and Sasser, Morrice (6)
Wanner (W) and Logan
(June 25) The scorching Moose Jaw Devons won their second and third games of the weekend when they swept past the Unity Cardinals twice at Ross Wells Park, posting winning scores of 2 to 0 and 4 to 3. With the brace of wins, the Devons have now won eight of their last ten outings and have a four point lead in the SMBL standings. Left-hander Rod Heisler recorded nine strikeouts while yielding four hits in the seven frames that he toiled on the hill in earning the opening game win for the Devons. Fellow portsider Bob Currie came on to hurl the last two innings for the save. Pete Maus singled in the opening frame to drive in Moose Jaw’s first run, the only one, as it turned out, that they would need. Loser Shane Lindzy fanned five Devons and was stingy with the base hits, giving up only three.
Lindzy (L) and xxx
Heisler (W), Currie (8) and Devine
Phil Flanagan pitched the Devons to the second game win as Bob Currie, once again, proved to be an effective fireman. Unity’s Rod Gehring allowed six Moose Jaw hits in taking the loss. Rod Heisler garnered three of the winners’ hits, one of which was a double, while Jim Baba connected for two. Gord Johnson homered for the Cards.
Gehring (L) and xxx
Flanagan (W), Currie (6) and xxx
(June 27) Jerry Wek effectively spaced nine hits while whiffing seven to pace the Saskatoon Patrick Liners to a 6 to 1 victory over the host Unity Cardinals in a SMBL contest. The Patrick Patrol scored twice in the first inning, added two more in the fifth and tallied their final counter in the sixth. Unity’s lone run was plated in the sixth. Dennis Rogers of the Cardinals also gave up nine safeties in suffering the loss. Rick Mortenson led the Saskatonians at the dish with a double and single while Jack Wilson had three singles for Unity. Al Mitchell of the Redbirds also contributed a two-bagger and single.
Wek (W) and xxx
Rogers (L) and xxx
(June 28) The Regina Red Sox erupted for seven runs in the eighth inning en route to an 11 to 4 win over the host Saskatoon Patrick Liners. Randy Sawa scattered ten hits and struck out seven to record the pitching win. Lloyd Guenther, the second of four Liner pitchers, suffered the loss. Regina managed only eight hits off the quartet of Hub City chuckers but 12 walks and four errors did not exactly enhance the Patrick’s chances. Bill Bell and Warren Kivell had two hits each for the Sox while Steve Kemp and Greg Giguiere reciprocated for the Saskatonians.
Sawa (W) and xxx
Christman, Guenther (L) (3), Friess (8), Kemp (8) and Giguiere
(June 28) The Eston Ramblers edged the Unity Cardinals 9 to 8 in SMBL play at Eston. Greg Zunino’s second home run of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Ramblers the walkoff victory. Playing-manager Don Sasser picked up the mound triumph in a relief role over Rod Gehring who also took the mound as a fireman. Sasser helped his own cause with a home run and triple. Tyler Steinbach also contributed a four-bagger to Eston’s output. Bob Brown and Shane Lindzy both belted circuit-jacks for the Cardinals.
Stang, Brown (5), Gehring (L) (8) and Wilburn
Kaia, Steinbach (7), Sasser (W) (8) and Morrice
(July 4) Terry Christman tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out 16 as he sparked the Saskatoon Patrick Liners to a 6 to 0 win over the Eston Ramblers in an SMBL game at Cairns Field. Losing chucker Steve Kaia didn’t pitch too shabbily either, allowing seven hits while recording 10 strikeouts. Dwayne Andreen had two singles to lead the Liners from the batters’ box. Greg Zunino had two of Eston’s three safeties.
Kaia (L) and Morrice
Christman (W) and Giguiere
SMBL standings as of end of July 4
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Devons 10 6 0 20
Eston Ramblers 9 7 0 18
Regina Red Sox 8 7 1 17
Unity Cardinals 7 11 0 14
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 5 8 1 11
(July 5) The league-leading Moose Jaw Devons edged the Regina Red Sox 3 to 2 as Ned Andreoni snapped a 2 – 2 deadlock in the seventh inning when, hustling to first, he beat out an infield hit allowing Dan Andrie to score the decisive run from third base. Moose Jaw took an early 2 to 0 lead in the first frame before the Red Sox came back to tie the contest. Doug Simon hit a bases-empty circuit-shot for the Sox in the top of the second. Pete Maus got the hill triumph after taking the mound for starter Bob Currie in the seventh. Ross Lynd went all the way for the Reginans and was saddled with the loss.
Lynd (L) and xxx
Currie, Maus (W) (7) and Devine
(July 5) The Saskatoon Patrick Liners lost valuable ground in their fight for the fourth and final playoff spot in the SMBL by dropping a 4 to 3 cliffhanger to the hometown Unity Cardinals. Winning pitcher Jack Wilson extinguished a ninth-inning Saskatoon threat when the Liners came within a run of tying the game and had the bases loaded. Wilson scattered six hits in taking the contest while losing chucker Jerry Wek was touched for eight Unity base blows. Al Mitchell swung the hottest bat for the Cards as he recorded a double and single .Teammate Glen Miller came through with a pair of one-baggers. Catcher Scott Woronuik had a big night for the Liners with three singles.
Wek (L) and Woronuik
Wilson (W) and Wilburn
(July 7) Pete Maus connected for two home runs at Cairns Field to power the Moose Jaw Devons to an 11 to 5 victory over the host Saskatoon Patrick Liners. Maus also had a double and a single, accumulating six RBI’s during the game. Saskatoon built up a 5 to 0 lead after two innings before the Mill City crew came back with 11 unanswered runs. Other significant contributors in Moose Jaw’s 15-hit onslaught against three Saskatoon chuckers were Brad Hennenfent who stroked three singles as well as Phil Flanagan and Bob Freeman who both had a pair of safeties. Devons’ starting hurler Dan Andrie retired only one Liners’ batter in the first inning before being relieved by ultimate winning tosser Rod Heisler. Lloyd Guenther, the first of a trio of Hub City hurlers, was hit with the loss. Wayne Plummer, back in uniform after an absence of two seasons, paced the Patrick’s offense with a double and single.
Andrie, Heisler (W) (1) and Devine, Maus (5)
Guenther (L), Andreen (7), Elliot (8) and Woronuik
(July 9) Randy Arthur drove in all his team’s five counters in leading the visiting Eston Ramblers to a 5 to 2 victory in the nightcap and a sweep of their double-dip with the Saskatoon Patrick Liners. Eston won the first game 2 to 1 in spite of the fine pitching performance of the Patrick’s twirler Jerry Wek. The import right-hander tossed a nifty four-hitter but was the victim of a cheap bases-empty home run by Blythe Irvine. The other Eston run was unearned. Steve Sproesser went the distance to get the hill win for the Ramblers.
Sproesser (W) and Morrice
Wek (L) and Woronuik
The second match was all Arthur as he hit two homers and a single to jumpstart the Nomads to a 5 to 0 lead. Colin Blyth launched a two-run homer for the Bridge City boys in the seventh to close the gap but it was too little, too late as complete-game winner Steve Kaia closed the door thereafter. Jerry Wek again was hit with the loss as he pitched the first three innings of the second tilt due to a shortage on manpower in the Hub City dugout. Greg Reiger had a double and two singles and Gary Hollman two singles for the Liners in a losing cause.
Kaia (W) and Sasser, Morrice (6)
Wek (L), Andreen (4) and Woronuik
(July 9) The Regina Red Sox produced five runs in the fifth inning en route to a 9 to 4 win over the top-place Moose Jaw Devons. The Red Sox sent 11 batters to the plate in the fifth, scoring all their runs with two out. Doug Simon led the Reginans with a home run and two singles, good for three RBI’s. Andy Logan and Warren Kivell each had a double while Doug Senyk and Jim Paisley added two singles apiece. Winning chucker Randy Sawa gave up only four base hits but three of them were homers off the bats of Ned Andreoni, Pete Maus and Rod Heisler with Andreoni’s being of the two-run variety. Moose Jaw starting twirler, Phil Flanagan, given the hook in the fifth, was the loser.
Flanagan (L), Maus (5) and Devine
Sawa (W) and Logan
(July 11) Roy Kemp hit a grand-slam home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Saskatoon Patrick Liners to a 9 to 7 victory over the Eston Ramblers in SMBL action. It was a great night for Kemp who also had a double and a single in addition to drawing a base on balls. Saskatoon playing-manager Terry Christman registered six strikeouts and allowed 12 base hits in going the route for the mound victory. Fellow playing-manager Don Sasser of the Ramblers was touched for 14 hits while fanning two in taking the loss. Aside from Kemp, Colin Blyth also came up big for the winners, drilling a pair of doubles and recording three RBI’s. Greg Giguiere hit three singles while Wayne Plummer and Gary Hollman each had two safeties. Steve Sproesser hit two solo homers for the Wanderers. Sasser, Rick Morrice and Steve Kaia all singled twice in a losing cause.
Sasser (L) and xxx
Christman (W) and xxx
SMBL standings as of end of July 11
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Devons 12 7 0 24
Eston Ramblers 11 8 0 22
Regina Red Sox 9 8 1 19
Unity Cardinals 8 11 0 16
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 6 12 1 13
(July 12) The Regina Red Sox came up with four runs in the seventh inning to grab a 7 to 3 win from the first-place Moose Jaw Devons. The Mill City visitors got off to a good start by scoring a pair of counters off winning twirler Ross Lynd in the first turn at bat. Lynd allowed only four hits after the first frame although Moose Jaw did score an unearned run in the fourth. Left-hander Rod Heisler of the Packers was sailing along until the sixth when his pitches transformed from baffling to fodder for the Redlegs’ bats. The Moose Jaw starter was given the hook but not before a brace of Regina counters tied the score and set the stage for the fateful seventh. Reliever Bob Currie was met with three hits by his former mates while giving up a pair of walks, the net result being a quartet of counters for the winners. Of the 11 hits that the Reginans accumulated throughout the contest, Bill Bell was credited with three of them, a home run and two singles. Ross Mahoney followed with a double and single while Doug Simon singled twice. The Devons top dog with the lumber was Pete Maus who had a two-run homer in the first in addition to a single.
Heisler, Currie (L) (6), Maus (8) and Devine
Lynd (W) and Logan
(July 12) The Unity Cardinals dismantled the visiting Eston Ramblers 12 to 0 in SMBL play. Catcher Gary Wilburn drove in five Unity runs with a double and a pair of singles. Glen Miller contributed a home run and two singles, good for three RBI’s. Rod Gehring struck out 12 in recording the shutout win. Steve Sproesser took the loss for Eston.
Sproesser (L) and xxx
Gehring (W) and Wilburn
(July 13) The Saskatoon Patrick Liners dropped a heartbreaking 7 to 6 decision to the visiting Moose Jaw Devons in a 13 inning ball game which had everything the fans could ask for: clutch hitting and above average pitching performances from both teams, some controversy over a few calls and a gutsy attempt by the Liners to come back. Scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth extra-frame still wasn’t enough for the Saskatonians as the Mill City gang had plated four in the top of the inning. Phil Flanagan was the winning chucker in the marathon encounter although he gave way to Dan Andrie with one out in the bottom of the 13th. The Moose Jaw duo gave up ten Liner hits while striking out 14. Jerry Wek went the distance for the losers, striking out 11 while giving up 13 hits. Rod Heisler scored what proved to be the winning run and also drove in two more with his sharp single in the 13th. After reducing the deficit to one in the bottom half of the 13th, the Liners had runners on first and second before Andrie got Cal Thompson to ground out to second to end the game. Roy Kemp of the Patrick Patrol had the game’s only dinger, a bases-empty shot in the second.
Flanagan (W), Andrie (13) and Devine
Wek (L) and Woronuik
(July 18) The Saskatoon Patrick Liners pulled to within three points of the Unity Cardinals in the battle for the fourth and last playoff spot in the SMBL by posting a crisp 3 to 0 victory over the third-place Regina Red Sox. Jerry Wek tossed a four-hitter in earning the shutout win. He fanned an even dozen Regina swatters along the way while giving up four walks. Starter Wade Wanner, relieved by Ross Lynd in the ninth took the mound loss for Regina. Terry Christman, the Saskatoon playing-manager, broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning with a solo home run. The Liners added two more runs in the eighth when, after Wanner had walked two batters and hit another, Roy Kemp hit a two-out two-run single.
Wek (W) and Woronuik
Wanner (L), Lynd (9) and Logan
SMBL standings as of end of July 18
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Devons 13 8 0 26
Eston Ramblers 11 9 0 22
Regina Red Sox 10 9 1 21
Unity Cardinals 9 11 0 18
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 7 13 1 15
SMBL batting statistics as of end of games of July 18
AB H Aver.
Andy Logan (Regina Red Sox) 76 34 .447
Gary Wilburn (Unity Cardinals) 64 27 .422
Doug Simon (Regina Red Sox) 66 27 .409
Don Sasser (Eston Ramblers) 67 27 .403
Pete Maus (Moose Jaw Devons) 76 29 .382
Ross Mahoney (Regina Red Sox) 60 21 .350
Doug Senyk (Regina Red Sox) 63 22 .349
Glen Miller (Unity Cardinals) 67 23 .343
Roy Kemp (Saskatoon Patrick Liners) 71 24 .338
Rich Gergley (Regina Red Sox) 65 22 .338
Hits – Logan (Regina) 34, Maus (Moose Jaw) 29
Doubles – Logan 13, Maus 9
Triples – Logan, Bob Brown (Unity Cardinals), Sasser (Eston) tied with 2 each
Home Runs – Mahoney (Regina), Simon (Regina) tied with 7 each
Runs Batted In – Simon 24, Mahoney 19
(July 22) Rallying in spectacular fashion, the Regina Red Sox topped the Eston Ramblers 10 to 9 in an exciting SMBL encounter. The Ramblers led 9 to 3 at Red Sox Field following their turn at bat in the top half of the sixth inning but the Crimson Hose remained focused and began to chip away at the deficit, scoring once in the bottom of the sixth, adding two in the seventh, three more in the eighth and one in the ninth. Doug Simon’s bottom-of-the-ninth run-scoring single off loser Steve Kaia drove in the winner and earned the Sox the walkoff win. The Scarlet Stockings rocked Eston starting tosser Randy Arthur and Kaia for a total of 16 base hits. Jim Paisley lit up the tandem for four of them, three singles and a double. Still swinging a sweet bat, Andy Logan had a home run, triple and single while Ross Mahoney added a home run and single. Leading the northern Nomads at the dish were Steve Sproesser who launched a pair of mighty home runs and Greg Zunino who had a circuit-clout plus a one-bagger. Kevin Nagel, the last of three Red Sox pitchers, was given credit for the win.
Arthur, Kaia (L) (8) and Morrice
Sawa, Hengen (6), Nagel (W) (6) and Logan
(July 22) The Moose Jaw Devons crept closer to grasping the 1978 SMBL pennant after posting a 6 to 3 win over the visiting Unity Cardinals. With the game tied 3 – 3, the homesters plated three eighth-inning counters to snatch the win. The Devons combed loser Rod Gehring for 13 base blows. Pete Maus had a two-run homer for Moose Jaw in support of winning twirler Rod Heisler. The lanky southpaw finished with a complete-game five-hitter. One of the hits he surrendered was a sixth-frame Gary Wilburn tater with one mate aboard.
Gehring (L) and Wilburn
Heisler and Devine
(July 23) Increasing their weekend total of wins to three, the Regina Red Sox swept a pair of games from the Unity Cardinals by scores of 5 to 1 and 10 to 7. Both teams picked up six hits in the opener but the big difference was in the power production of those base raps. Doug Simon and Jim Paisley both smashed two-run round-trippers for the Sox off pitches served up by losing chucker Shane Lindzy. Winning twirler Ross Lynd, like Lindzy, went the distance on the hill.
Lindzy (L) and Wilburn
Lynd (W) ad Perkin
The Cardinals provided stiffer opposition in the second game but, again, were out-muscled by the smashing Sox. Unity out hit their hosts 12 to 7 including a four-bagger by Glen Miller but the Redlegs countered with four dingers, one each by Bill Bell, Andy Logan, Rich Gergley and Jerry Zrymiak. Not only did the Reginans bash the most homers, they also committed the fewest errors and therein lay the victory. Ovi Bourassa, a junior call-up, picked up the pitching win in relief. Egbert Stang, the first of three U-Bird hurlers, took the loss.
Stang (L), Wilson (5), Rogers (6) and Wilburn
Wanner, Hengen (5), Bourassa (W) (5) and Logan
(July 23) By virtue of their 6 to 3 victory over the Eston Ramblers in the matinee performance of a scheduled double-bill, the Moose Jaw Devons clinched first place in the SMBL. Then, the brand new pennant-winners took the field again and bounced the visitors for a second time, this one by a score of 9 to 6, a costly defeat for the Wanderers in that it knocked them back into third place in the SMBL behind the Regina Red Sox. Moose Jaw’s Pete Maus struck out ten Eston batters in chalking up the opening game mound win. Ned Andreoni’s third inning circuit-jack off loser Steve Kaia was the game’s only home run.
Kaia (L) and Sasser
Maus (W) and Devine
Relief specialist Bob Currie picked up the hurling victory in the late game after coming to the aid of Devons’ starter Phil Flanagan in the fifth inning. Moose Jaw’s offense began to click in the middle innings and they were able to overcome an early Eston lead to move in front for the remainder of the contest. Home runs by Rod Heisler in the fifth, a two-run boomer off loser Steve Sproesser, and by Brad Devine in the sixth, a bases-empty shot, sparked the winners’ batting thrust. A pair of Nomad sluggers, Greg Zunino and Don Sasser, bashed two-run four-baggers in a losing cause.
Sproesser (L), Sasser (6) and Morrice
Flanagan, Currie (W) (5) and Hennenfent
(July 24) The Saskatoon Patrick Liners dropped a 6 to 1 decision to the Eston Ramblers in an SMBL game played in Eston. The defeat diminished the Liners’ hopes of reaching the playoffs, a theme that has plagued each and every Saskatoon team since the inception of the SMBL four seasons ago. In order to overtake the Unity Cardinals, the Liners must now win both of their remaining games. The task at hand was made even more difficult with the departure of playing-manager Terry Christman who jumped the team to play for Red Deer in Alberta baseball. Jim Elliot has taken over the playing-manager reins and will guide the team for the final two league games. Eston jumped on Saskatoon starting pitcher Greg Giguiere early, scoring four in the first frame and another in the second, and the Truckers were never able to recover. Don Sasser scattered eight hits in recording the pitching verdict for the Wanderers.
Giguiere (L), Elliot (2) and xxx
Sasser (W) and xxx
(July 26) The Saskatoon Patrick Liners outlasted the Regina Red Sox 13 to 12 in an SMBL game which was marred by numerous errors on the part of both teams. The winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning was a direct result of a fielding miscue when the Red Sox had a chance to execute an inning-ending double play. During the contest, Saskatoon committed nine errors and the Reginans booted the ball four times. The lead changed hands several times in this loosely-played, see-saw affair. Roy Kemp was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Jerry Wek while Jim Paisley, regularly an infielder, took the loss. Paisley and outfielder Doug Simon each had a short stint on the mound for the losers. Wayne Plummer had a three-run round-tripper for the Patrick Patrol while Kemp and catcher Greg Giguiere both had a trio of base knocks. Regina’s Doug Senyk also racked up three safeties.
Wek, Kemp (W) (7) and Giguiere
Blom, Hengen (4), Simon (8), Paisley (L) (9) and Bell, Mahoney
(July 28) The Unity Cardinals dumped the Saskatoon Patrick Liners 17 to 10 in Unity to capture the final playoff spot in the SMBL. The Cards built an insurmountable lead in the early stages of the contest off Saskatoon starting pitcher Dwayne Andreen before the visitors got untracked in the later innings. Shane Lindzy of the Redbirds had a no-hitter going for four innings before the Liners came alive with five runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings. But, the Hub City crew simply ran out of time in the abbreviated seven-inning game which was called due to darkness.
Andreen (L), Giguiere (4), Mortenson and xxx
Lindzy (W) and xxx
SMBL Final Standings
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Devons 16 8 0 32
Regina Red Sox 13 10 1 27
Eston Ramblers 12 12 0 24
Unity Cardinals 10 14 0 20
Saskatoon Patrick Liners 8 15 1 17
SMBL PLAYOFFS / SEMI – FINALS
(August 1) The Moose Jaw Devons have taken an early lead in their best-of-five SMBL semi-finals by downing the Regina Red Sox 8 to 4 at Moose Jaw’s Ross Wells Park. The game was called after 6 1/2 innings when darkness set in. Rod Heisler went the distance on the hill for the pennant winners, striking out six Regina batters and walking three while surrendering seven hits. He also helped himself at the plate, clouting a two-run homer. Tim Hengen of the Sox also twirled the entire match but with much less success. He was lit up for 11 hits and issued six bases on balls, one of which was with the sacks full, forcing in a run. He fanned one Devon and plunked another for an additional free pass. The Red Sox came out flying, scoring a pair of runs in their first turn at bat. The homesters roared right back, plating a trey in the first and duplicating the feat in the second. The lead never changed hands throughout the remainder of the contest. Pete Maus, Craig Bacheller and Dan Andrie all had a double and a single for the winners. Jerry Zrymiak had a bases-empty four-bagger for the Redlegs while Bill Bell’s unsuccessful attempt at an inside-the-park homer, left him with a triple.
Hengen (L) and Logan
Heisler (W) and Devine
(August 1) The Eston Ramblers brought their heavy artillery to the ballpark as they dismantled the Unity Cardinals 14 to 5 in the opener of their semi-final series. Eston’s Steve Sproesser got the hurling triumph while Shane Lindzy was battered in taking the loss.
Lindzy (L) and xxx
Sproesser (W) and xxx
(August 2) Randy Sawa and his Crimson Hose teammates found themselves trailing 3 to 0 before they had retired a single batter in game two of their showdown with the Moose Jaw Devons. The veteran left-hander calmly retired the next batter and then induced a double-play ball while his cohorts found their hitting touch and built up an eight-run lead after seven stanzas were in the books. After nine innings, the Regina Red Sox prevailed 11 to 5, a win which tied the series at one game each. Phil Flanagan, Moose Jaw’s starter who was given the hook in the fourth frame, was stung with the loss. As has generally been the case at Red Sox Field this season, home runs were plentiful. Connecting for round trippers were Jim Baba, Ned Andreoni and Pete Maus of the Devons and Regina’s Jerry Zrymiak and Doug Senyk.
Flanagan (L), Currie (4) and Devine
Sawa (W) and Logan
(August 2) The Eston Ramblers took a two games to none lead in their playoff semi-final with the Unity Cardinals by tripping up the Redbirds 6 to 4 in Unity.
xxx (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(August 4) The Moose Jaw Devons scored all six of their runs in the sixth frame and held on to edge the Regina Red Sox 6 to 5 in the third SMBL semi-final game between the two Trans-Canada highway rivals. With the win, the Devons pushed the Red Sox into a “do or die” situation for the fourth contest slated for Regina. Surprise Moose Jaw starter Dan Andrie held the Reginans at bay for six innings before being touched for three counters in the seventh inning, two of them on an Andy Logan home run. Andrie helped his own cause by hitting a two-run double off complete-game losing twirler Ross Lynd. Rod Heisler took over from winning chucker Andrie in the eighth and kept the visitors to within one run before the required 27 outs were recorded.
Lynd (L) and Logan
Andrie (W), Heisler (8) and Devine
(August 4) Playing on their home turf, the Eston Ramblers downed the Unity Cardinals 3 to 1 to take their semi-final series in three straight games. Eston pitcher Steve Kaia limited the Redbirds to four hits while striking out seven and walking one. Losing twirler Jack Wilson was touched for eight Eston base hits. Greg Zunino swung the big bat for the Ramblers, driving in two of their three tallies, by producing three singles in four trips to the plate.
Wilson (L) and xxx
Kaia (W) and xxx
(August 7) The Devons from Moose Jaw came to Red Sox Field in the north-east part of the Queen City, a win away from advancing to the SMBL final. They got that win, thumping the defending champion Regina Red Sox 15 to 10, but not before the bandbox ballpark caused a few anxious moments for both teams. The Devons, thanks to a three-run homer by Ned Andreoni and a two-run blast by Rod Heisler, jumped into a 4 to 0 lead before the game was even an inning old. Then, slowly but surely, they added to their margin until they had built up a to 9 to 3 lead midway through the seventh. With Moose Jaw’s Phil Flanagan sailing along on a five-hitter, the fireworks from the Redlegs’ dugout began. Shortstop Jerry Zrymiak ignited the rally with a leadoff homer and Rich Gergley capped it with a grand slam. With their lead now reduced to a single run, the Devons responded with a five-run outburst in the top of the eighth to restore their six-run margin and increased it to seven with a single counter in their last turn at bat. With a seven-run deficit staring them in the face, the Scarlet Hose made a valiant bottom of the ninth attempt to get back into contention.One final push, a two-run bases-loaded single by Andy Logan brought the score to 15 to 10 and signalled the end of Regina’s 1978 SMBL season. Logan had earlier accounted for Regina’s third run with a bases-empty dinger in the third. With the victory, the Mill City diamondeers now advance to face the Eston Ramblers for the league crown.
Flanagan (W), Heisler (9) and Devine
Wanner (L), Hengen (8), Sawa (8) and Bell
FINALS
(August 14) The Moose Jaw Devons blew a third-inning 10 to 3 lead to the visiting Eston Ramblers and went down to a stunning 14 to 13 defeat in the first game of the SMBL finals. The game was terminated after eight innings because of darkness. Steve Kaia went the distance on the hill for Eston, surrendering 11 hits to go along with seven strikeouts. Starter Phil Flanagan, the loser, and reliever Dan Andrie who came to his aid in the fifth, were also combed for eleven safeties. The longball played an integral part in the Ramblers’ comeback and their ultimate victory. Don Sasser, Steve Sproesser, Greg Zunino and Reg Andrew all contributed four-baggers for the winners with Sasser’s being of the grand-salami variety. Jim Baba clouted Moose Jaw’s only homer. Kaia aided his mound effort by stroking a double and single. Ned Andreoni lashed three singles for the Devons while teammate Brad Hennenfent pasted a pair of doubles. Each team committed five errors in the high-scoring affair.
Kaia (W) and Morrice
Flanagan (L), Andrie (5) and Devine
(August 15) The Eston Ramblers took a two-game lead in the SMBL final series when they dropped the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Devons 5 to 1 at Ross Wells Park. The Wanderers need only one more win to wrap up the series which now moves to Eston. Don Sasser’s two-run circuit-clout in the opening frame sent the Nomads off and running. Steve Sproesser struck out five Devons and surrendered an equal number of well-spaced hits in going the route for the win. Moose Jaw’s Bob Currie gave up seven base hits and was nailed for the loss. The Devon’s lone run was scored in the third when Dan Andrie singled home Rod Heisler. With the score standing at 2 to 1 entering the ninth, the Estonites got some breathing room when Greg Zunino led off with a solo homer. Sproesser sealed the deal later in the inning by clouting a two-run tater.
Sproesser (W) and Morrice
Currie (L) and Devine , Maus (8)
(August 18) It’s all over for this year for the Moose Jaw Devons. Following a day’s delay in playing the third game of the final series in Eston because of rain, the Devons fell victim to a red-hot Ramblers squad who won their sixth consecutive playoff game and third in succession over the Friendly City visitors. The final score was 5 to 3 for the new kingpins who picked up the championship hardware for the second time in the four-year existence of the SMBL. Neil McMillan of the Ramblers tossed a six-hitter, walked five and struck out two in going the route for the win. All five Eston counters resulted from round-trippers off losing hurler Pete Maus. Don Sasser had a four-bagger and single. Both Reg Andrew and Greg Zunino belted two-run circuit clouts. Jim Baba drove in two of Moose Jaw’s three runs.
Maus (L) and Devine
McMillan (W) and xxx