SOUTHERN LEAGUE
The 1971 Southern League will have a new team, expanding from a five-team to a six-team circuit. The league accepted the Saskatoon Commodores as the sixth franchise beginning this season. Abandoning the N.S.B.L. for the Southern League, Commodores' management felt more inclined to play in a loop that was all-Saskatchewan as the northern circuit completed arrangements to play a partial interlocking schedule with teams from the Alberta Major Baseball League.
(May 25) The Moose Jaw Regals opened defense of their Southern League championship on a winning note but they had to pull out all the stops before upending an upstart band of Yorkton Cardinals. A run-scoring single with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning by rookie Clark Compton gave the Regals a 2 to 1 victory at Ross Wells Park. Sophomore right-hander Gary Syrota of Yorkton was tough on the usually potent Regal hitters, limiting them to three hits.
Syrota (L) and Johnson
Cardwell, Rowley (6) (W) and Tollefson
(May 29) Veteran left-hander Randy Sawa took on the role of a fireman and came to the rescue of rookie Bob Currie to preserve a 2 to 0 Regina Red Sox victory over the Melville Millionaires in the Rail Town. Currie limited the Millionaires to three hits before giving way to Sawa in the seventh. Currie chalked up nine strikeouts but had control trouble as he walked 10. Sawa pitched hitless ball over the last two frames. Playing-manager Terry Buck gave up eight hits and fanned 10 in going the distance for the Moneymen. A sacrifice fly by rookie Kim Williams gave Regina a 1 to 0 lead in the third inning and back-to-back triples by Sawa and Ron Snell produced the second run in the ninth.
Currie (W), Sawa (7) and Dimen
Buck (L) and Raulston
(May 29) Playing-manager Gord Johnson's second homer of the game, a two-run bomb in the sixth, lifted the Yorkton Cardinals to a 6 to 4 win over the home-standing Swift Current Indians. Johnson's first circuit clout came with the bases empty in the second. Import Jeff Neal went all the way, twirling a five-hitter and whiffing 14 to win his first Southern League game over Les Wall of the Tribe.
Wall (L) and Nybo
J. Neal (W) and Johnson
(May 29) The Saskatoon Commodores made their debut in the Southern League a successful one as they blanked the Moose Jaw Regals 1 to 0 at Ross Wells Park. Right-hander Edd Tabashniuk tossed a superb four-hitter to stymie the Regals and lift the Saskatonians to the triumph. Outfielder Ed Gosselin provided Tabashniuk with his margin of victory in the first inning when he doubled and scored when Dave Anderson's line drive toward the hole between first and second was too hot for Moose Jaw second sacker Warren Humphreys to handle. Clark Compton collected two of the Regals' four hits, a double and single. Roy Rowley gave up six hits in taking the loss.
Tabashniuk (W) and Brown
Rowley (L) and Tollefson
(May 30) Following a perfect two-inning relief stint the night before, Randy Sawa came back and turned in an outstanding two-hit, 13 strikeout performance as the Regina Red Sox took their home opener 3 to 1 against the defending champion Moose Jaw Regals. Despite Sawa's effort's he still needed a two-run rally by his mates in the eighth frame to pull it out. Ron Snell's ground-rule double off losing pitcher Fred Cardwell in the bottom of the eighth inning plated rookie Gary McRadu with the lead run. One batter later, Ken McEachern drove in the insurance run with a long sacrifice fly.
Cardwell (L) and Tollefson
Sawa (W) and Logan
(May 30) The Yorkton Cardinals won their second game of the weekend when they outlasted the Swift Current Indians 9 to 7 in the first game of a Sunday double-bill at Jubilee Park. Gary Syrota evened his record at 1 - 1 in going the route for Yorkton. The Cardinals scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to grab the win and pin the loss on Wayne Commodore. Wes Waselenchuk's third hit of the game drove in the decisive run for the Redbirds. Gord Johnson ripped his third homer in two days, a solo shot in the fifth inning. Swift Current catcher Harvey Nybo also had a bases-empty dinger.
Mahaffey, Commodore (8) (L) and Nybo
Syrota (W) and Johnson
(May 30) The Swift Current Indians won their first game of the season in the finale of their two-game set with the Yorkton Cardinals, dropping the Redbirds 6 to 4. Trailing 4 to 3 as they came to bat in the ninth, the Tribe scored three times off losing pitcher Alex Bellegarde to forge into the two tally margin. Fred Olheiser went the distance for Swift Current to earn the win
Olheiser (W) and Nybo
Bellegarde (L) and Johnson
(June 2) The Moose Jaw Regals rode the five-hit pitching of newly acquired import Gary DeBenedetti to turn in a 2 to 1 victory over the Regina Red Sox. Regals' playing-manager Ned Andreoni, defending league batting champion, snapped a three-game hitless streak, and a 1 - 1 tie, with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth to give the Regals the victory. DeBenedetti and Doug Homme had been locked in a pitcher's duel throughout, with DeBenedetti emerging as the winner on Andreoni's first hit of the season. A Fresno, California native, DeBenedetti used a tantalizing curve ball effectively to set six Red Sox batters down via the strikeout route.
Homme (L) and McEachern
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
(June 2) The Yorkton Cardinals trounced the Melville Millionaires 15 to 5 in a Southern League game in the Rail Town. The Redbirds had little trouble in taking out the Millionaires as they pulverized three Melville hurlers for 11 hits and were aided by six miscues on the part of their hosts. Vern Neal was the big man at the plate for the Cardinals, collecting two doubles and a single. Playing-manager Gord Johnson had four RBI's on a brace of singles. Catcher Fred Raulston was the only member of the Millionaires to hit safely more than once as he smacked a pair of singles.
J. Neal, Bellegarde (3) (W), Bows (6) and Johnson
Buck, Duff (1) (L), D. Stelmak (6), Buck (7) and Raulston
(June 4) The new entry in the Southern League, the Saskatoon Commodores, opened their home schedule with a 5 to 2 victory over the Melville Millionaires. Edd Tabashniuk picked up his second win of the young campaign by twirling a complete game five-hitter while fanning three Millionaires. Terry Buck, winless in two starts, was the loser. Ian Mitchell paced the Commodores with a two-run homer and a single while Tabashniuk and Ken Haanen each had two hits.
McKee, Buck (3), McKee (4), Buck (7) (L) and Raulston
Tabashniuk (W) and Maxemiuk
(June 5) The Regina Red Sox and Yorkton Cardinals played to a 4 - 4 draw in a game called after seven innings at windy and rain-swept Mount Pleasant Park. Both teams had six hits with Yorkton's Don Bowes leading the way with a two-run homer and a single. The mound performance of Regina rookie Bob Currie, in four and two-thirds innings of relief work, was the highlight of the game. The young left-hander struck out eleven Yorkton batters during his tenure on the hill, held them scoreless and, with his fine pick off move to first base, caught two base runners off guard for outs.
Eichholtz, Bromann (6) and Johnson
Kammerer, Currie (3) and McEachern
(June 5) A wild pitch by losing pitcher Fred Olheiser in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed the Moose Jaw Regals to capture a come-from-behind 7 to 6 victory over the Swift Current Indians at Ross Wells Park. The Regals had trailed 6 to 5 going into the eighth, which was the final inning due to darkness, and tied the game when Doug Gillies doubled, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on brother Clark Gillies' single up the middle. A walk to Roy Rowley and a single by Ned Andreoni loaded the bases and led to the winner being scored on Olheiser's wild throw to the plate. Wayne Commodore belted two home runs for the Tribe. Erwin Doerksen was the big gun at the plate for the Regals with a double and two singles.
Mahaffey, Olheiser (6) (L) and Nybo
Cardwell, Rowley (8) (W) and Tollefson
(June 8) The Yorkton Cardinals continued to set the pace in the Southern League but they needed some last-inning heroics and a superb pitching performance by import Craig Bromann to chalk up their fourth victory of the campaign. A two-out run-scoring single by pinch-hitter Don Bowes in the bottom of the ninth gave the Redbirds a 1 to 0 victory over the Melville Millionaires. Bromann, a six-foot, five inch right-hander from Chicago, via Denver University, held the Millionaires off the scoreboard with a fine three-hitter. Displaying almost perfect control, Bromann fanned nine and did not issue a walk. The loss was something of a heart-breaker for the Moneymen who are winless in four starts. Gary Syrota was a thorn in the side of the two Melville hurlers as he collected three of Yorkton's five hits, all singles.
Herron, M. Stelmak (8) (L) and Raulston
Bromann (W) and Johnson
(June 8) The Moose Jaw Regals scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to post a 4 to 2 victory over the Saskatoon Commodores in Saskatoon. The loss was Saskatoon's first in four starts. Trailing 2 to 1 going into the eighth, Ned Andreoni drove in the tying run with a single. An intentional walk to Erwin Doerksen, followed by rookie Clark Compton's single scored Andreoni with the go-ahead counter. A bobble in the outfield plus the misplaying of the relay to the infield allowed Doerksen to come all the way around with the insurance tally. The rally lifted Fresno, California native Gary DeBenedetti to his second victory in as many starts.
DeBenedetti (W) and C. Gillies
Lazecki, Martinson (8) (L) and Brown
(June 10) The Regina Red Sox, led by a stellar pitching performance from veteran Randy Sawa, defeated the Swift Current Indians 4 to 2 at Mount Pleasant Park. Sawa allowed the Indians only six hits while Wayne Mahaffey, on the mound for the Tribe, gave up eight hits.
Mahaffey (L) and Nybo
Sawa (W) and Logan
(June 12) A run-scoring single in the eighth inning by Ken Haanen plus an outstanding defensive display led the Saskatoon Commodores to a 2 to 1 win over the Yorkton Cardinals. Marty Martinson, who relieved starter Edd Tabashniuk with one out and the bases loaded in the fifth, picked up his first win in two decisions. Fresno native John Eichholtz went the distance and lost for the Redbirds, scattering seven hits.
Tabashniuk, Martinson (5) (W) and Brown
Eichholtz (L) and Johnson
(June 12) The Melville Millionaires won their first game of the season when they edged past the Swift Current Indians 3 to 2 at Swift Current. The Moneymen pushed across three runs in the top of the third to overcome a 2 - 0 deficit and upend the Indians. Winning hurler Terry Buck shutout the Tribe for the last seven innings to best Les Wall. Buck was also instrumental in the comeback as he drove in two of Melville's three runs.
Buck (W) and Raulston
Wall (L) and Nybo
(June 13) In a seven-inning matinee game of a double-bill, the Moose Jaw Regals recorded an easy 10 to 0 whitewashing of the Melville Millionaires. Fred Cardwell was dominant on the hill in the opener. The hard-throwing right-hander fanned eleven in tossing the six-hit shutout. Cardwell had plenty of support as his mates played errorless ball and rapped out ten hits. Gary Reagan started and lost for the Millionaires, giving way to Terry Puhl in the fifth. Roy Rowley, Larry Tollefson and Clark Compton all had a brace of base knocks for the Regals with one of Rowley's being a double.
Reagan (L), Puhl (5) and Raulston
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
(June 13) The Moose Jaw Regals bounced past the Yorkton Cardinals into top spot in the Southern League by shutting out the Melville Millionaires 5 to 0, handing the Moneymen their second blanking of the afternoon. Import Gary DeBenedetti became the winningest Southern League pitcher this season, picking up his third with a six-hit performance. Keith Parker paced the Regals' 11-hit offense with a triple and three singles. Roy Rowley had a double and three-bagger while Bob Berglind smacked a bases-empty circuit-blast. Malcolm Stelmak started and lost for the Moneymen with Terry Puhl again seeing action in relief by taking over mound chores in the fourth.
M. Stelmak (L), Puhl (4) and Raulston
DeBenedetti (W) and C. Gillies
(June 13) Don Laube's bases-loaded triple sparked a five-run, sixth-inning outburst by the Yorkton Cardinals as they cruised to an 8 to 3 decision over the Regina Red Sox. Import right-hander Craig Bromann went the distance, giving up six hits, to register his second straight victory. Veteran left-hander Doug Homme started for Regina but was ejected in the first inning during an argument with an umpire. Rookie Lyle Johnson took over and was tagged with the loss.
Homme, Johnson (1) (L) and Logan
Bromann (W) and Johnson
Southern league standings (as of end of June 13)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 6 2 0 12
Yorkton Cardinals 5 3 1 11
Regina Red Sox 3 2 1 7
Saskatoon Commodores 3 1 0 6
Swift Current Indians 1 5 0 2
Melville Millionaires 1 6 0 2
(June 14) The Regina Red Sox had their biggest offensive display of the season, a ten hit production, as the routed the Yorkton Cardinals 11 to 2 at Mount Pleasant Park. In addition to showing some authority at the plate, the Red Sox displayed some heads-up base running. Andy Logan broke out of a mild slump with a double, two singles and a pair of RBI's. Winning pitcher Randy Sawa blasted the club's first home run of the campaign. Vern Neal had a brace of one-baggers for the Redbirds.
Bellegarde (L), Syrota (4), V. Neal (5), Eichholtz (7) and Johnson
Sawa (W) and Logan
(June 15) The Moose Jaw Regals increased their first-place margin in the Southern League with a 9 to 3 win over the Swift Current Indians. Moose Jaw jumped into an early lead and never let up on the gas pedal. Roy Rowley, who was relieved by Erwin Doerksen in the eighth inning, was the winning pitcher. Rowley and Doerksen were also the hitting stars for Moose Jaw as Rowley collected a double and single and Doerksen drove in three runs with a pair of singles. Clark Gillies and Bob Berglind of the Regals both homered off loser Steve Davis. Brian Keegan and Wayne Commodore both singled twice for the Tribe.
Davis (L) and Nybo, Sutherland (7)
Rowley (W), Doerksen (8) and Tollefson
(June 16) Portly portsider Ken Haanen made his first pitching start of the season for the Saskatoon Commodores and threw a brilliant one-hitter at the Regina Red Sox to pilot the Hub City nine to a 4 to 0 victory over the Redlegs. Haanen lost his bid for a no-hitter with two out in the eighth when Sox' first sacker Jack Buch lashed a clean single up the middle. It wasn't a matter of Haanen overpowering the Red Stockings but more of a display of pin-point control and the use of a strong defense behind him that made it look easy. Loser Doug Homme didn't exactly have a bad night as he permitted only five hits. However, four of those were of the two-base variety. Randy Munch, the Commodores' slick-fielding shortstop, had two of the four doubles. Fred Maxemiuk picked up a double and single.
Haanen (W) and Brown
Homme (L) and McEachern
(June 18) The Regina Red Sox jumped on import left-hander Terry Buck for nine base hits and a 9 to 1 victory over the Melville Millionaires to gain a share of second place in the Southern League with the Yorkton Cardinals. Randy Sawa fanned ten in going the distance for the Red Sox for the fourth straight time. He held the rookie-laden Millionaires to five hits, three by import Gary Reagan. Sawa got all the offensive help he needed on Doug Simon's first-inning, two-run homer. The Red Sox outfielder also picked up a seventh-inning single. Ron Snell also turned in a two-hit performance for the Reginans.
Buck (L) and Raulston
Sawa (W) and Logan
(June 20) The Moose Jaw Regals began a two-venue doubleheader with an afternoon 12 to 0 shellacking of the Melville Millionaires in the Rail Town. Fred Cardwell, with two innings of scoreless relief assistance, hurled a two-hitter at the Millionaires. Erwin Doerksen led a 15-hit Moose Jaw onslaught against four Melville chuckers with a double and two singles. Bob Berglind chipped in with a triple and three RBI's. Gary Erfle also collected three RBI's with a pair of singles. Adding to the Melville misery was a solo home run by the Regals' Clark Compton.
Cardwell (W), Parker (8) and Tollefson
M. Stelmak (L), Forsythe (4), Twardochleb (5), D. Stelmak (6) and Raulston
(June 20) Following their win at Melville, the Moose Jaw Regals proceeded north-east on highway #10 to Yorkton for an evening encounter with the Cardinals and came away with a 2 to 0 triumph. Import Gary DeBenedetti won his fourth in a row by blanking the Cardinals on a six-hitter. An unearned run in the second inning proved to be all DeBenedetti needed to beat the Redbirds. The California right-hander drove in the other Moose Jaw run with an eighth-inning, two-out single. Craig Bromann gave up eight hits and whiffed ten batters in absorbing the loss. Larry Tollefson singled twice for Moose Jaw.
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
Bromann (L) and Johnson
(June 20) Southpaw Les Wall used pin-point control and an effective change-of-pace in limiting the Regina Red Sox to seven hits as he guided the Swift Current Indians to a 3 to 1 Southern League victory over the Queen City crew. Don McLeod's bloop single in the fifth drove in the winning and insurance runs for the Tribe after Wall's double up the power-alley in left centre field had evened the score at 1 - 1. Doug Simon was the only Regina player to get more than one safety off Wall, collecting a pair of singles. Harvey Nybo had a brace of base raps for Swift Current.
Wall (W) and Sutherland
Currie (L), Sawa (8) and McEachern, Logan (9)
(June 21) The Saskatoon Commodores erupted for five first-inning runs and went on to take a 7 to 3 victory over the Yorkton Cardinals in Southern League action in the Bridge City. Ed Lukowich drove in three of Saskatoon's opening-frame markers with a bases-loaded stand-up double. The Cardinals played poorly on defense, committing seven errors behind losing import right-hander John Eichholtz. Edd Tabashniuk pitched 7 1/3 innings for Saskatoon to get the win. Ken Haanen had a pair of singles for the Commodores while Don Laube and Vern Neal of the Cards also had two hits apiece with one of Neal's falling in for a double.
Eichholtz (L) and Johnson
Tabashniuk (W), Martinson (7) and Brown
(June 22) The Regina Red Sox took over sole possession of second place in the Southern League when they coasted to a 6 to 1 decision over the Melville Millionaires at Mount Pleasant Park. Lyle Johnson evened his record at 1 - 1 after toiling off the rubber for the first six innings for the Sox. Import left-hander Terry Buck lost his fifth for the Millionaires. Danny Fink had a circuit-clout and single for the Crimson Hose while Ron Snell and Rick Wagman both had had a double and single. Doug Senyk and Fred Raulston each had two hits for the Moneymen.
Buck (L) and Raulston
Johnson (W), Currie (7) and Logan
(June 22) The Moose Jaw Regals continued their winning ways, using a wild eight-run seventh inning to defeat the Swift Current Indians 12 to 8. The Speedy Creekers jumped into an early lead, largely in part to Harvey Nybo's two-run homer in the second inning. Moose Jaw kept chipping away and finally tied the score in the sixth inning, setting the stage for the eight-run outburst. The Mill City octave of tallies came about as a result of an error, five bases on balls, a hit batsman, two wild pitches, run-scoring singles by Gary Erfle and Clark Compton and a three-run double by Larry Tollefson. The game was called after the top of the eighth.
Mahaffey (L), Nybo (7), Commodore (7) and Sutherland
Doerksen (W) and Tollefson
(June 23) The Moose Jaw Regals, using some timely hitting as well as Roy Rowley's effective pitching, ran their win streak to ten games by downing the Saskatoon Commodores 6 to 3 in a Southern League game at Ross Wells Park. Rowley struck out five in going the route for the win and also had a pair of doubles off losing chucker Ken Haanen. Ned Andreoni and Gary DeBenedetti each banged out a double and single for the winners.
Haanen (L) and Brown
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
(June 26) The Melville Millionaires upended the Saskatoon Commodores 6 to 4 to pick up their second win of the season. The Moneymen, minus Terry Buck who was relieved of his playing and managerial duties, took advantage of four Saskatoon errors to beat the Saskatonians. Russell Lulashnyk made his first start of the season a winning one, limiting the Commodores to six hits including a pair of home runs by Ken Haanen. Edd Tabashniuk was tagged with his first defeat of the campaign.
Tabashniuk (L), Haanen (4) and Brown, Williams (8)
Lulashnyk (W) and Raulston
(June 26) The Yorkton Cardinals struck for six runs in the first inning and then held on for a 7 to 6 win over the Swift Current Indians. Winning pitcher Craig Bromann's first-inning grand-slam homer got the Cards off on the right foot. Bromann's win was his third in four decisions. Gary Reagan also homered for the Redbirds off losing hurler Les Wall.
Bromann (W) and Johnson
Wall (L) and Nybo
(June 27) The surprising Melville Millionaires won their second game of the weekend and their third of the campaign, stunning the Regina Red Sox with a 7 to 5 victory in the first game of a doubleheader. The Millionaires spotted the Red Sox a 3 to 0 lead in the first two frames, including a two-run homer by Doug Simon, and then bounced back to hand Randy Sawa his first loss of the season. Three Regina errors contributed to their demise as the Millionaires struck for five runs in the second inning. Orville Herron of the Moneymen was the complete game winner in his first Southern League start.
Sawa (L), Johnson (6) and Logan
Herron (W) and Raulston
(June 27) The Regina Red Sox bounced back from their opening game defeat to drub the Melville Millionaires 8 to 1 in the second game of their twin-bill in Melville. Doug Simon again hit an early two-run circuit-smash for Regina to start them off with a bang. Rookie southpaw Bob Currie held the Millionaires in check with a six-hitter to get the win. Jerry Zrymiak had a three-run dinger for the Sox in the eighth. Dave Stelmak started and lost for Melville, giving way to Tim Twardochleb in the third. Terry Puhl replaced Twardochleb in the eighth and completed the game.
Currie (W) and Logan, McEachern (9)
D. Stelmak (L), Twardochleb (3), Puhl (8) and Raulston
(June 27) The Yorkton Cardinals put together a 20-hit attack to clobber the Swift Current Indians 16 to 11 in the matinee of a Sunday double-dip in the Frontier City. Gary Reagan and Don Laube drilled four-baggers for the Cards as John Eichholtz picked up his first mound win for Yorkton. Harvey Nybo homered in a losing cause for the Indians with import Neil Ernst taking the loss in his initial Southern League start.
Eichholtz (L) and Johnson
Ernst (W) and Nybo
(June 27) The Swift Current Indians gained some measure of revenge for their earlier weekend losses by clobbering the Yorkton Cardinals 17 to 5 in the nightcap of their Sunday twin-bill. Terry Buck, who just joined the Tribe after being cut adrift by the Melville Millionaires, limited the Cards to seven hits to get credit for the win. A nine-run first-inning by his mates was all Buck needed to record his second win in seven decisions. Wayne Commodore provided the big hit in Swift Current's fast start when he lashed a three-run homer, his fourth of the season. Don Laube of the Redbirds connected for his second homer of the day, a two-run smash in the third.
Bellegarde (L), Bowes (1), Reagan (8) and V. Neal
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(June 27) The Moose Jaw Regals continued to have things their own way in the Southern League when they posted a 7 to 2 triumph over the Saskatoon Commodores in Saskatoon. The usually steady Commodores continued to experience defensive problems as they committed seven errors in going down to their third straight defeat. Fred Cardwell scattered eight hits in winning his third game. Tied at 2 - 2 entering the seventh, the Regals took a one-run lead on Ned Andreoni's run-scoring single and then broke the game open with a four-run outburst in the ninth. Catcher Larry Tollefson spearheaded the Regals' 11-hit offense against three Saskatoon hurlers with three singles.
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
Martinson (L), Lazecki (7), Brandon (9) and Brown
Southern League standings (as of end of June 27)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 12 2 0 24
Regina Red Sox 7 5 1 15
Yorkton Cardinals 7 7 1 15
Saskatoon Commodores 5 4 0 10
Swift Current Indians 3 9 0 6
Melville Millionaires 3 10 0 6
(June 30) The Moose Jaw Regals stretched their unbeaten string to 12 games by nipping the Swift Current Indians 3 to 2 at Mitchell Field. Roy Rowley and Larry Tollefson struck for back-to-back homers to lift the Regals into an early 3 to 0 lead that proved to sufficient for Gary DeBenedetti to pick up his fifth victory. DeBenedetti fanned nine and allowed seven hits. Import Neil Ernst went the distance for the Indians and suffered his second straight setback despite giving up one less hit than DeBenedetti.
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
Ernst (L) and Sutherland
(July 1) Newly acquired left-hander Jerry Carter hurled a three-hitter to pace the Melville Millionaires to a 4 to 0 victory over the Saskatoon Commodores in the opener of a doubleheader in the Bridge City. In addition to picking up the shutout and the hurling win, Carter provide some excellent offensive output with a pair of doubles, one of which drove in a run. Bev Hickie and Ernie Cherkowsky also chipped in with a pair of singles each.
Carter (W) and Raulston
Tabashniuk (L), Lazecki (1), I. Mitchell (8) and Brown
(July 1) The Saskatoon Commodores ended their four-game losing slide with a 4 to 2 win over the visiting Melville Millionaires in the second game of their Southern League twin-bill. Lefty Ken Haanen threw a four-hitter to snap the Saskatonians from their recent case of the doldrums. Three consecutive singles by Randy Munch, Haanen and Zenon Markowsky started the Commodores off on the right foot with a two-run first inning against loser Russ Lulashnyk. Markowsky, who had a perfect four-for-four output at the plate, drove in the third Saskatoon run and scored the fourth on Fred Maxemiuk's double. Lulashnyk had two of Melville's four hits off Haanen.
Lulashnyk (L) and Raulston
Haanen (W) and Brown
(July 3) The Moose Jaw Regals waltzed into Mount Pleasant Park in the Queen City and slapped down the host Regina Red Sox 3 to 0 as veteran right-hander Roy Rowley unfurled a five-hit, eight strikeout mound performance. The win was Rowley's fifth in six decisions. Outfielder Doug Gillies smashed a run-scoring single in the second inning driving in the only run that Rowley ultimately needed. Rick Wagman collected three of Regina's five hits off Rowley. Gillies wound up with a brace of singles for the winners.
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
Sawa (L) and Logan
(July 4) The up-and-coming Swift Current Indians jolted the slumping Saskatoon Commodores 13 to 3 in the matinee game of their of their two-game Sunday set. The Indians erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning to bounce back from a 3 to 1 deficit. Terry Buck and Wayne Commodore had back-to-back homers for the Tribe. Left-hander Les Wall, with a six-hitter, picked up the complete game win.
Martinson (L), Tabashniuk (4), Nakonechny (4), Markowsky (4) and Brown, Williams (6)
Wall (W) and Sutherland
(July 4) Continuing to show steady improvement since their pick up of Terry Buck, the Swift Current Indians ran off a 3 to 1 win over the Saskatoon Commodores in the owl encounter of their double-dip in Speedy Creek. Buck made his second winning start since joining the Tribe, scattering seven Saskatoon hits. Buck won his own ball game with a two-run double in the seventh after Saskatoon had taken the lead in the top of the inning.
Lazecki (L), Martinson (7), Tabashniuk (8) and Brown
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(July 4) Fireballing Fred Cardwell turned in a five-hit job off the pitcher's slab to guide the Moose Jaw Regals to a 2 to 0 decision over the Yorkton Cardinals. Doug Gillies ripped a two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie and send the Cards down to their eighth defeat of the season. Gillies also had a pair of singles off the Cardinals' Craig Bromann to go with his circuit blast. Cardwell had to pitch his way out of bases-loaded situations in the second and fifth innings. The Redbirds left a total of 12 runners stranded. Cardwell fanned six while Bromann set down 11 Regals on strikes.
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
Bromann (L) and V. Neal
(July 8) Garth Neville made an auspicious debut in the Southern League as he gave up just one hit in pitching the Yorkton Cardinals to a 7 to 4 win over the Melville Millionaires. The win moved Yorkton into second place in the circuit. Neville struck out 12 and gave up a grand-slam homer to Bev Hickie after the Millionaires had loaded the bases in the seventh on a walk, a hit batter and an error. Andy Boleziuk drove in two Yorkton runs off loser Orville Herron with a single and double.
Herron (L) and Raulston
Neville (W) and V. Neal
(July 8) The Moose Jaw Regals came from behind to edge the Swift Current Indians 2 to 1 at Mitchell Field in the Frontier City. Import hurler Gary DeBenedetti won his sixth game without a loss, setting the Indians down on four hits while fanning an equal number of batters. Losing chucker Neil Ernst gave up eight hits and struck out five. Swift Current went ahead in the third 1 to 0 on three straight singles. Warren Humphreys drove in Gary Erfle with a fifth-inning single to tie the game. The Regals then scored the winning counter in the ninth when Erwin Doerksen singled to drive home Bryan Adams. Moose Jaw's Ned Andreoni, Doerksen and Adams as well as Brian Keegan of the Tribe all had a brace of singles.
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
Ernst (L) and Nybo
(July 9) The Moose Jaw Regals won their 16th straight game in Southern League play by defeating the Saskatoon Commodores 3 to 1 at Ross Wells Park. Fred Cardwell picked up his fifth win of the season, tossing a five-hitter and striking out eight. Doug Gillies led the Regals' hitters with a triple and single off loser Edd Tabashniuk. Moose Jaw's Clark Compton and Zenon Markowsky of the Commodores both singled twice.
Tabashniuk (L), Brandon (9) and Brown
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
(July 10) In spite of generating 13 base hits, the last of which drove in a run in the bottom of the ninth inning, the best that the Regina Red Sox could do in their Southern League match with the Yorkton Cardinals was to settle for a 1 - 1 tie at Mount Pleasant Park. It was a frustrating evening for the Red Sox as they left 14 base runners stranded. Rookie Kim Williams' third hit of the game enabled the Sox to salvage the draw. The Cardinals, who were also guilty of leaving men hanging around the bases, scored their run in the first inning when Gary Reagan hit the first of his two doubles and scored on Vern Neal's single. Ron Snell of the Red Stockings also checked in with a three hit performance with one of his raps being a triple.
Eichholtz and V. Neal
Simon and Logan
(July 12) The Yorkton Cardinals came out on the long end of an 8 to 5 decision over the Regina Red Sox. Import right-hander Craig Bromann went the distance for the Cardinals for his fourth win of the season and was backed by a 12-hit Yorkton attack. Veteran first baseman Don Laube was the big man with the hickory for the Redbirds, driving in four runs with two singles and a sacrifice fly. Vern Neal hit the game's only homer, a solo shot in the fifth. Infielder Andy Boleziuk had a double and single for the winners.
Sawa (L) and Logan
Bromann (W) and Johnson
Southern League standings (as of end of July 12)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 17 2 0 34
Yorkton Cardinals 9 8 2 20
Regina Red Sox 7 7 2 16
Saskatoon Commodores 6 8 0 12
Swift Current Indians 5 11 0 10
Melville Millionaires 4 12 0 8
(July 14) The Regina Red Sox rode the left arm of veteran Doug Homme to a 6 to 1 victory over the slumping Saskatoon Commodores. Making his first start in almost a month, Homme scattered eight Saskatoon hits while fanning seven. He also scored what proved to be the winning run in the third when he doubled, moved to third on an infield out and reached home after Jack Buch's sacrifice fly. Homme also picked up a run-scoring single in the ninth. Doug Simon had a double and single for the Sox off losing hurler Ken Haanen.
Homme (W) and Wright
Haanen (L), Martinson (9) and Brown
(July 15) The Regina Red Sox ended the extended winning streak that the Moose Jaw Regals had put together when they posted a 6 to 3 triumph over the visiting Mill City nine at Mount Pleasant Park. The Sox spotted the Regals a 3 to 0 first-inning lead but two-run singles by Danny Fink and Jack Buch spearheaded a five-run outburst in the fourth which put the Reginans in the driver's seat as rookie reliever Bob Currie stymied the Moose Jaw bats until needing a one-pitch assistance from Randy Sawa in the eighth. Erwin Doerksen collected three singles for the Regals.
Cardwell (L), Parker (5) and Tollefson
Johnson, Currie (3) (W), Sawa (8) and McEachern
(July 15) The Melville Millionaires used a sixth-inning solo home run by catcher Fred Raulston to upend the Yorkton Cardinals 3 to 2 in the Rail Town. Melville's Jerry Carter scattered five Yorkton hits in winning his second straight game.
Neville (L), Eichholtz (6) and Johnson
Carter (W) and Raulston
(July 16) Continuing their battle for second place in the Southern League. The Regina Red Sox and Yorkton Cardinals met in Yorkton with the homesters taking care of business by dumping the Reginans 7 to 1. The Cards had a six-hit mound effort from import Craig Bromann in sealing the deal. A two-run homer by playing-manager Gord Johnson got the Redbirds off and running as they built up a 3 to 0 lead in the fifth and were never behind.
Sawa (L), Johnson (6), Fink (8) and Logan
Bromann (W) and Johnson
(July 17) The Regina Red Sox trounced the league-leading Moose Jaw Regals 10 to 5 at Ross Wells Park, the third time that they have bounced the kings of the hill this season. The Red Sox jumped on Moose Jaw starter Erwin Doerksen for two runs in each of the first two innings and chased him from the hill with a three-run burst in the third. Jerry Zrymiak paced the Redlegs 15-hit onslaught with three singles. Winning hurler Doug Simon aided his own cause with a pair of doubles while Danny Fink added a double and single.
Simon (W), Wolbaum (8) and McEachern
Doerksen (L), Andreoni (3) and Tollefson
(July 17) The Swift Current Indians blanked the lowly Melville Millionaires 7 to 0 to begin a weekend double-bill at Speedy Creek. Terry Buck, who started the season with Melville, picked up his third straight win since joining the Tribe. Russ Lulashnyk started and lost for the Moneymen. Buck helped his own cause by banging out a triple and single.
Lulashnyk (L), D. Stelmak (5), Twardochleb (7) and Raulston
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(July 18) The Moose Jaw Regals turned the tables on the Regina Red Sox and thrashed the Reginans 10 to 3 to even their weekend series. It was the 18th victory in 22 starts for the high-flying Regals. Moose Jaw began a two-out rally in the sixth that resulted in four runs off loser Doug Homme and, after that they never looked back. Gary DeBenedetti won his seventh for the Regals, allowing eight Regina hits.
Homme (L), Shinbein (8) and Logan
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
(July 18) The Melville Millionaires gave the home-standing Swift Current Indians all they could handle before finally succumbing 2 to 1 to the Speedy Creekers. Les Wall went the distance to get the win for the Tribe, his third in six decisions. Jerry Carter of the Moneymen suffered his first loss after winning his initial two outings. Bill Sutherland's high fly-ball, that Melville outfielder Bev Hickie lost in the sun, allowed Harvey Nybo to reach third base from first, where he was then able to score the winner on another Melville error. Terry Buck had a three-bagger for the Indians.
Carter (L) and Raulston
Wall (W) and Sutherland
(July 18) The Yorkton Cardinals snuck past the Saskatoon Commodores 6 to 5 in the opener of a double-dip in the Bridge City. An unearned run in the top of the ninth spelled doom for the Saskatonians. John Eichholtz picked up his fourth win in six decisions for the Cards as the loss was stung on the record of rookie Neil Thiessen, the third Saskatoon hurler.
Eichholtz (W) and Johnson
Tabashniuk, Lazecki (5), Thiessen (8) (L) and Maxemiuk
(July 18) By winning the second encounter of the day, 4 to 3 against their hosts, the Saskatoon Commodores, the Yorkton Cardinals were able to open up a four-point lead over the Regina Red Sox in their joust for second place in the Southern League. The Yorktonites scored all their runs in the first inning and then held off a determined Saskatoon bid, including a two-out triple by Larry Nakonechny in the ninth after they had narrowed the Redbirds' margin to one run. Don Bowes scattered six hits to get the win, his first decision of the season. Craig Bromann drove in two of the four Yorkton tallies.
Bowes (W) and Johnson
Hrapchak (L), Tabashniuk (4) and Maxemiuk
(July 20) The Yorkton Cardinals strengthened their hold on second place in the Southern League by scoring an impressive 8 to 1 win over the Melville Millionaires. Riding the six-hit, 14 strikeout, pitching performance of import of Craig Bromann, the Redbirds put together a 13-hit attack, including five doubles, off a pair of Melville hurlers for the win. Bromann drove in three runs with a double and single. Don Laube also had three RBI's on two singles and a double. Nelson Bryksa singled twice for the Moneymen.
Lulashnyk (L), Twardochleb (6) and Raulston
Bromann (W) and Johnson
(July 20) The Saskatoon Commodores snapped a six-game losing streak by pounding the Swift Current Indians 12 to 2 at Saskatoon. The Commodores came out swinging and put up seven tallies on the board in the first two frames. Bob Brown had an inside-the-park homer for Saskatoon. Winning hurler Ken Haanen had a double and two singles while Ed Lukowich collected three singles. Neil Ernst was saddled with his fourth consecutive mound setback. Brian Keegan hit a pair of doubles and Terry Buck a double and single for the Tribe.
Ernst (L), J. McLeod (4) and Sutherland
Haanen (W) and Brown
(July 22) The latest statistics released by the Southern League, and published in the Regina Leader-Post of this date, reveal that sophomore outfielder Vern Neal of the Yorkton Cardinals has taken over as the leading batter in the circuit with a .400 average based upon 20 hits in 50 times at bat. Neal has an 11 percentage point lead over his nearest rival, Ken Haanen of the Saskatoon Commodores. Haanen has hit safely in 14 of 36 plate appearances for a .389 average. Roy Rowley of the Moose Jaw Regals, an earlier leader, is third with a .388 mark. Wayne Commodore of the Swift Current Indians continues to lead in home runs with five. Don Laube, Yorkton's veteran first baseman, leads in RBI's with eleven. Regina Red Sox' fly chaser Ron Snell has the distinction of being at the top of the larceny chart, with seven stolen bases. Gary DeBenedetti of Moose Jaw has a 7 - 0 won-lost mark to lead league hurlers.
(July 22) The streaking Yorkton Cardinals continued their pursuit of the Moose Jaw Regals when they chalked up their fifth straight victory, a 7 to 3 decision over the Melville Millionaires. The Redbirds were out-hit 11 to 7 but made the most of their hits, including a solo homer by Gord Johnson. Gary Reagan, making only his second start of the season, went the route to even his record at 1 - 1. The Moneymen scored all their runs in the bottom of the ninth and had their rally cut short by a double play. Reagan had a pair of singles in support of his hurling effort. Wayne Ross and Tim Twardochleb had a trio of base knocks apiece for the Moneymen.
Reagan (W) and Johnson
Bradford (L), Carter (4) and Raulston
(July 22) The Swift Current Indians hopped back into the fourth and last playoff spot with a 12 to 3 win over the slumping Saskatoon Commodores. The Tribe took a commanding 7 to 0 lead following two innings of play and had things pretty much their own way for the remaining seven. Bobby Martin paced the Indians' 12-hit attack with a pair of singles. Bob Brown hit safely twice for Saskatoon and Al Mitchell twice.
Hrapchak (L), Tabashniuk (2), Lazecki (7) and Brown, Williams (8)
Wall (W) and Sutherland
(July 24) The Moose Jaw Regals opened their weekend set-to with the second-place Yorkton Cardinals by edging their guests 4 to 3 at Ross Wells Park. Moose Jaw took advantage of a two-out error by second baseman Wes Waselenchuk to score a pair of eighth-inning runs for the triumph. Singles by Ned Andreoni and winning chucker Erwin Doerksen following the infield miscue plated the tying and winning markers for the Regals. Andreoni wound up with three hits for the winners while Doerksen while Gary Erfle, Doug Gillies and Bryan Adams all had a brace of raps with one of Erfle's being a double. Andy Boleziuk was the only Cardinal to collect more than one hit off Doerksen, connecting for a double and single.
Bromann (L) and Johnson
Doerksen (W) and Tollefson
(July 25) The Moose Jaw Regals moved to within a single point of clinching the Southern League pennant by beating the Yorkton Cardinals for the second time on the weekend, taking a 7 to 4 decision from the visiting Redbirds. Moose Jaw right-hander Gary DeBenedetti ran his record to 8 - 0 with the complete game effort, surrendering nine hits while fanning eight. Erwin Doerksen picked up a trio of base hits for the winners while Larry Tollefson contributed a double and single. Gary Reagan and Andy Boleziuk had a brace of one-baggers each for Yorkton.
Bowes (L), Eichholtz (5) and Johnson
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
(July 27) The Swift Current Indians came to Regina's Mount Pleasant Park with just enough players to field a starting line-up and promptly stuffed a 7 to 4 decision down the yawning throats of an inept band of Red Sox. The victory was a big one for the Tribe as it lifted them four points ahead of the Saskatoon Commodores in their battle for the fourth and last playoff spot. The Indians wasted little time in taking advantage of the Red Sox' lethargy, grabbing a 7 to 0 lead after the first three frames which was more than enough for Neil Ernst to win his first game of the season. Ernst chalked up 12 strikeouts in going the distance and deserved full marks for the victory.
Ernst (W) and Sutherland
Currie (L), Wolbaum (3), Johnson (9) and Logan
(July 27) The Moose Jaw Regals picked up their 21st win of the campaign and clinched the 1971 Southern League pennant when they edged the Melville Millionaires 8 to 6 at Ross Wells Park. The Regals jumped all over the Millionaires' Jerry Carter for four runs in the first inning and then held off a determined bid by the cellar-dwellers for the victory. Playing-manager Ned Andreoni, making his first pitching start of the season, went the distance for the Regals, giving up four hits and fanning six. Doug Gillies led the Moose Jaw eight-hit attack with three singles.
Carter (L) and Raulston
Andreoni (W) and Tollefson
(July 28) The streaking Swift Current Indians posted their second win in as many nights over the slumping Regina Red Sox when they too the measure of the visiting Reginans 6 to 2 at Mitchell Field. With the win, the Tribe moved to within two points of the Red Stockings. Terry Buck of the Indians pitched a six-hitter en route to the win which evened his record at 5 - 5. He stuck out six and helped himself offensively with three singles. Buck also received hitting support from playing-manager Harvey Nybo who came up with two singles and a double off losing hurler Lyle Johnson.
Johnson (L) and Wright
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(July 29) Randy Sawa pitched ten innings of no-hit, no-run baseball but this still wasn't good enough as the Melville Millionaires got to him for a pair of runs in the 13th inning for a 2 to 0 Southern League victory at Mount Pleasant Park. Sawa couldn't have been much sharper. He didn't give up a hit until the 11th inning when Millionaires' outfielder Bev Hickie sliced a one-out, off-field double which just landed in fair territory. Ernie Cherkowsky's double in the 13th drove in the only runs of the game. The Red Sox had their chances but stranded 11 base runners. Jack Buch had a double and single for the Redlegs while Jim Paisley singled twice.
Herron, Carter (12) (W) and Raulston
Sawa (L) and Wright
(July 29) The Yorkton Cardinals downed the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Regals 4 to 1 in a Southern League match in Yorkton. John Eichholtz pitched and batted the Cardinals to victory, their first in six meetings with the Regals. He tossed a four-hitter and laced a pair of singles. The Cards went ahead in the third, scoring three times, and never lost the lead. Craig Bromann's two-run single in the third was the decisive blow.
Adams (L), Stein (4) and Tollefson
Eichholtz (W) and Johnson
Southern League standings (as of end of July 29)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 21 5 0 42
Yorkton Cardinals 15 11 2 32
Regina Red Sox 10 12 2 22
Swift Current Indians 10 12 0 20
Saskatoon Commodores 7 12 0 14
Melville Millionaires 6 17 0 12
(July 30) The league-leading Moose Jaw Regals made it 22 wins in 27 starts this season with a 5 to 3 victory over the Saskatoon Commodores in the Hub City. Erwin Doerksen gave up eight hits to the Saskatonians in recording the mound win. He was aided by some key defensive work including a pair of double plays. Clark Compton's two-run single off losing pitcher Larry Lazecki started the Regals on their way.
Doerksen (W) and Tollefson
Lazecki, Hrapchak (2) (L) and Brown
(July 31) The red-hot Swift Current Indians maintained their recent momentum when the knocked off the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Regals 6 to 0. Left-hander Les Wall blanked the Regals on four hits to earn the complete game win. Bob Martin led the Tribe with the stick, slamming a pair of doubles. Bill Sutherland drilled a circuit-blast for the Indians while Terry Buck picked up two singles.
Andreoni (L), DeBenedetti (8) and D. Gillies
Wall (W) and Sutherland
(July 31) Yorkton Cardinals jumped into a 3-0 first inning lead and cruised to an 8-0 win over Saskatoon Commodores. Craig Bromann fired a four-hitter for the win. Don Laube's three-run homer in the 6th put the game on ice for the Cards.
Tabashniuk (L), Lazecki (1), Parenteau (6) and Williams
Bromann (W) and Johnson
(August 1) The Saskatoon Commodores got back on the winning track by bombing the Melville Millionaires 13 to 6 in the opener of a double-bill in the Rail Town. Ken Haanen pitched and batted the Commodores to victory. He drove in two runs with a pair of singles and a double. Teammate Bob Brown drove in three Saskatoon runs with a bases-loaded triple while Dave Anderson drove in a pair with two doubles and a triple. Ross Tycoles had a double and single for the Millionaires.
Haanen (W) and Brown, Williams (6)
Herron (L), M. Stelmak (4) and Raulston
(August 1) With a 4 to 2 victory over the host Melville Millionaires in the second game of their doubleheader, the Saskatoon Commodores moved closer to the coveted fourth slot in the Southern League. Ken Haanen's two-run, bases-loaded single ignited a three-run first inning for the Commodores and sent them off to the races. Gary Brandon needed relief help from a pair of bullpen mates to secure the mound win. Nelson Bryksa had four hits for the Moneymen including a double.
Brandon (W), Tabashniuk (8), Lazecki (8) and Williams
Carter (L) and Raulston
(August 1) In a third-place showdown, the Swift Current Indians moved two points ahead of the Regina Red Sox when they squeaked by the Queen City visitors 6 to 5 in the matinee event of a Sunday twin-bill in Speedy Creek. Neil Ernst had a seven-hitter and struck out 13 Red Stockings to earn the mound triumph over Doug Homme. Ernst also collected a brace of one-baggers for the Tribe. Andy Logan had a double and single for the Reginans.
Homme (L) and Logan
Ernst (W) and Sutherland
(August 1) The Swift Current Indians reeled off their third win of the weekend, and their second of the day, by virtue of an 8 to 5 smothering of the Regina Red Sox. Terry Buck pitched the complete second-game win for the sweep. It was his sixth straight mound win since joining the Indians from Melville where he was 0 - 5. Catcher Bill Sutherland had a triple and single for Swift Current. Andy Logan drove in three runs for the Sox with a pair of singles. Danny Fink nailed a double and single for the Redlegs.
Johnson (L), Sawa (5) and Logan
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(August 2) Nothing was decided as far as the fourth and last playoff position in the Southern League is concerned as an eight-inning, darkness-shortened joust between the two combatants, the visiting Saskatoon Commodores and the home-standing Regina Red Sox, ended in a 3 - 3 tie. The Commodores scored a pair in the top of the eighth to salvage the standoff. Al Mitchell's triple drove in the tying marker. Jerry Zrymiak drove in two of Regina's three runs with a bases-loaded double. Saskatoon first sacker Zenon Markowsky had a pair of singles.
Tabashniuk, Martinson (6) and Williams
Johnson, Sawa (8) and Logan
(August 4) The Swift Current Indians exploded for six runs in the eighth inning to break a 3 - 3 tie and go on to a 9 to 3 win over the host Saskatoon Commodores. Swift Current's win was its eighth straight and solidly entrenched them in third place in the Southern League. The Indians scored their six runs in the eighth on four hits and two Saskatoon errors. Shortstop Randy Munch of the Saskatonians, with two singles, was the only was the only batter to collect more than one hit.
J. McLeod, Ernst (7) (W) and Sutherland
Hrapchak (L), Lazecki (8), Martinson (8), Kehl (9) and Brown
(August 4) The pennant-winning Moose Jaw Regals pounded out 18 hits in destroying the Melville Millionaires 19 to 8 in the opener of a two-game set in the Rail Town. Included in the plethora of base knocks were three homers, a grand-slam by Doug Gillies, a three-run shot by Gary Erfle and a two-run blast by Ned Andreoni. Larry Tollefson added to the mismatch with a double and two singles while Clark Compton had two doubles. Gary DeBenedetti won his ninth mound decision although not in an impressive manner. Fred Raulston had a triple and single for the Moneymen while Nelson Bryksa, losing hurler Tim Twardochleb, Ross Tycoles and Wayne Ross all singled twice.
DeBenedetti (W), Parker (6) and Tollefson, D. Gillies (6)
Twardochleb (L), Lulashnyk (8) and Raulston
(August 4) The Moose Jaw Regals came from behind a 7 to 3 first-inning deficit to edge the Melville Millionaires 10 to 9 in the six-inning, darkness-shortened second game of their double-bill in Melville. Moose Jaw's decision to start regular catcher Larry Tollefson on the mound proved disastrous as the Moneymen lit him up for seven first-inning counters. Playing-manager Ned Andreoni's two-run homer in the sixth tied things up and Gary DeBenedetti tripled home the winning run. Andreoni also had a double for the Regals. Gary Erfle collected three singles and Tollefson had a brace of one-baggers. Bev Hickie started Melville's seven-run outburst in the first frame with a leadoff homer. Fred Raulston had two doubles in the game for the Millionaires.
Tollefson, Stein (2), (W) and D. Gillies
Carter (L) and Raulston
(August 5) The battle for the fourth and last playoff spot in the Southern League became even tighter when the Saskatoon Commodores pulled within two points of the Regina Red Sox with a come-from-behind 5 to 4 victory over the Swift Current Indians. The Commodores trailed 4 to 3 going into the bottom of the seventh but struck for a pair of counters to pull out the victory. Dave Anderson was the hero for Saskatoon as he tripled home Bob Brown with the tying marker and then scored the winning run on Al Mitchell's squeeze bunt. Larry Lazecki, the third Saskatoon hurler, picked up the win. Terry Buck went the distance and lost for the Indians, his first defeat since joining the Tribe in late June.
Buck (L) and Sutherland
Kehl, Martinson (7), Lazecki (7) (W) and Williams
(August 7) The Southern League's latest statistical information was announced in the Regina Leader-Post of this date. Terry Buck, an import pitcher-outfielder with the Swift Current Indians currently leads the batting race with a .379 average compiled on 25 hits in 66 official times at bat. Buck has a six percentage points lead over another pitcher-outfielder, Ken Haanen of the Saskatoon Commodores, who is hitting at a .373 clip. Included among Buck's 25 hits are eight doubles, two triples and one home run, good enough for the top slugging average of .606 as well. Roy Rowley of the Moose Jaw Regals remains in third spot with a .367 mark despite not having played a league game since July 15. Rowley, along with teammate Fred Cardwell, are with Canada's Pan-Am Games team. Yorkton Cardinals' playing-manager Gord Johnson continues to lead in home runs with five. Ron Snell of the Regina Red Sox and Randy Munch of the Saskatoon Commodores share top billing as the league's top thieves, both having stolen seven bases to date. Gary DeBenedetti of Moose Jaw has a perfect pitching record, having chalked up nine straight victories. His ERA for his first six wins came in at 0.63.
(August 7) The Yorkton Cardinals clinched the runner-up spot in the Southern League when they downed the Saskatoon Commodores 7 to 2 in Yorkton. The loss for Saskatoon prevented them from moving into a tie for the last playoff berth in the circuit. After falling behind 2 to 0 when Saskatoon batted in the first, the Cardinals pulled even in the bottom of the frame on Gary Reagan's two-run homer. Yorkton starting and winning pitcher John Eichholtz decided the contest in the second inning with a solo home run.
Brandon (L), I. Mitchell (6) and Williams
Eichholtz (W), Neville (6), Bromann (8) and V. Neal, Johnson (6)
(August 7) The Swift Current Indians took the opener of a three-game weekend set against the bottom-feeding Melville Millionaires by a 5 to 1 count. Les Wall pitched a complete game five-hitter for the win. Al Marshall led the Tribe at the plate, going three for four.
Wall (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
(August 8) A run-scoring single by Gary Brandon in the bottom of the 13th inning gave the Saskatoon Commodores a much-needed 2 to 1 win over the Regina Red Sox in the first game of a doubleheader in the Bridge City. Fighting for the fourth and last playoff spot in the Southern League, the Commodores moved into a tie for that important slot with the hard-fought win. Zenon Markowsky doubled to begin the fourth extra-frame off Regina reliever Bob Currie to set the stage for Brandon's clutch hit. Red Sox' outfielder Doug Simon picked up three singles to lead all hitters in this game.
Homme, Currie (12) (L) and Logan
Hrapchak, Lazecki (W) and Brown
(August 8) The Saskatoon Commodores took over sole possession of fourth place in the Southern League when they edged their closest competitor, the Regina Red Sox, 4 to 3 in the wrap-up game of an important twin-bill in Saskatoon. Winning pitcher Edd Tabashniuk helped his own cause with a run-scoring single in the fourth. Randy Munch had four singles in five trips to pace the Commodores at the plate.
Sawa (L) and Logan
Tabashniuk (W) and Brown
(August 8) The Swift Current Indians hammered the Melville Millionaires 13 to 6 in the first game of a Sunday double-dip to wind up the regular schedule. By mutual agreement, the contest was limited to seven innings. Swift Current's Terry Buck went four for four to pace the Swift Current offense. Al Marshall wasn't far behind, with a three for four performance. Jerry Carter hit a home run for Melville.
Ernst (W), Martin (5) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
(August 8) The Swift Current Indians defeated the hapless Melville Millionaires 8 to 3 to sweep all three of their weekend contests with the Moneymen. Bill Sutherland blasted two home runs for the Tribe.
Marshall (W) and xxx
Bryksa (L) and xxx
(August 9) The Saskatoon Commodores clinched the last playoff berth in the Southern League when they bounced the Regina Red Sox 9 to 3 in the final game of the regular schedule. It was the third triumph in two days for the Saskatonians over the slump-ridden Red Sox who looked drained as they committed seven errors to aid the winners. The Commodores drove the final nail in the Red Sox' coffin in the seventh frame when they snapped a 3 - 3 tie with a six-run outburst. Marty Martinson, who took over from starter Ron Kehl with two out in the fourth, got credit for the mound win.
Kehl, Martinson (4) (W) and Williams
Johnson, Currie (6) (L), Wolbaum (7), Homme (7) and Logan
Southern League final standings
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 24 6 0 48
Yorkton Cardinals 17 11 2 36
Swift Current Indians 17 13 0 34
Saskatoon Commodores 13 16 1 27
Regina Red Sox 10 17 3 23
Melville Millionaires 6 24 0 12
Playoff pairings in the best-of-seven semi-finals will pit the Moose Jaw Regals against the Saskatoon Commodores while the Yorkton Cardinals will face the Swift Current Indians.
(August 13) Members of the Moose Jaw Regals dominate the Southern League's all-star selections which were published in the Regina Leader-Post of this date.
Named to the first all-star team from the Regals were third baseman Roy Rowley, shortstop Ned Andreoni, catcher Larry Tollefson and right-handed pitcher Gary DeBenedetti. Other first team members are first baseman Don Laube and outfielder Gary Reagan of the Yorkton Cardinals, second baseman Jim Paisley and outfielder Doug Simon of the Regina Red Sox, outfielder Ken Haanen of the Saskatoon Commodores and left-handed pitcher Terry Buck of the Swift Current Indians. Yorkton's Gord Johnson was picked as the first team field manager.
The Swift Current Indians, shutout from representation on the first squad, placed three players on the second all-star team. First baseman Brian Keegan, third baseman Brian Dickie and left-handed pitcher Les Wall were the alternate team selections. Others on the second squad are outfielders Danny Fink and Ron Snell of the Regina Red Sox, second baseman Al Mitchell and shortstop Randy Munch of the Saskatoon Commodores, outfielder Clark Compton of the Moose Jaw Regals as well as right-handed pitcher Greg Bromann and catcher Gord Johnson of the Yorkton Cardinals. Ned Andreoni of the Moose Jaw Regals was named as the second team bench manager. So both Andreoni and Johnson appear as a player on one team while also managing the other.
Individual player awards for the 1971 season announced so far include Swift Current's Terry Buck, who began the season with Melville, as winner of the Heinie Rogers memorial trophy as the most valuable player to his team. Moose Jaw's Gary DeBenedetti collected the Luther (Doc) Hughes memorial trophy as the top pitcher while his battery mate, Larry Tollefson, was named as the recipient of the Guy Riddler memorial trophy as the top catcher. The fourth individual award, the Father Athol Murray trophy for the top rookie goes to Yorkton's Don Bowes.
SEMI - FINAL PLAYOFF SERIES
(August 11) The Swift Current Indians, who finished the regular schedule in red-hot fashion, continued their winning ways by defeating the Yorkton Cardinals 4 to 2 in the first game of a best-of-seven semi-final. The win was the Indians' 12th in their last 15. Terry Buck tossed a three-hitter en route to the win while striking out ten. Losing hurler Greg Bromann gave up seven hits while striking out an equal number. Brian Keegan and Bob Martin led the Swift Current batters with a pair of singles each. Don Bowes had two singles for Yorkton.
Buck (W) and Marshall
Bromann (L) and Johnson
(August 13) The Yorkton Cardinals used the home run ball to their advantage, defeating the Swift Current Indians 6 to 3, to even their best-of-seven semi-final at one game each. Gary Reagan provided the Cardinals with the winning margin when he smashed a three-run homer to spearhead a four-run rally in the fifth inning. Reagan's circuit drive came after Gary Cooper pulled the Cardinals into a 2 - 2 tie on winning pitcher Garth Neville's run-scoring single. Don Bowes and Don Laube both drilled solo four-baggers for the Redbirds off losing chucker, import right-hander Neil Ernst.
Ernst (L) and Nybo
Neville (W) and Johnson
(August 14) Gary DeBenedetti, the Southern League's top hurler during the regular schedule, continued his winning ways as he unfurled a two-hitter for the Moose Jaw Regals who edged the pesky Saskatoon Commodores 2 to 1 in their semi-final opener. One of the hits off DeBenedetti was a solo homer in the eighth inning by Zenon Markowsky, accounting for Saskatoon's only run. The Moose Jaw pitcher fanned seven and drove in what proved to be the winning run with a fourth inning single.
Kehl (L), I. Mitchell (4) and Brown
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
(August 14) The Swift Current Indians rallied from a 3 to 0 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the eighth and then split single tallies in the ninth for a 4 - 4 tie with the Yorkton Cardinals. The game was called at the end of nine innings because of darkness. Harvey Nybo's eighth-inning single plated Swift Current's initial tying run but then the Cards moved ahead in their half of the ninth on Vern Neal's RBI single only to have Brian Keegan tie the score at 4 - 4 with a run-scoring double. Gary Reagan had a bases-empty circuit-clout for the Redbirds.
Eichholtz, Bowes (8) and Johnson
Wall and Marshall
(August 15) The Saskatoon Commodores upended the Moose Jaw Regals 3 to 2 in the second game of their best-of-seven set-to in the Hub City. The Regals had the potential tying and lead runs on base in the ninth but winning pitcher Don Hrapchak fanned Moose Jaw's Warren Humphreys to end the game. Hrapchak wound up with ten strikeout victims in total as he scattered five hits for the win over the Regals' Erwin Doerksen.
Doerksen (L) and Tollefson
Hrapchak (W) and Brown
(August 15) Terry Buck continued to carry the load for the Swift Current Indians as he hurled a six-hitter and plated the winning run in the seventh as the Tribe took a one-game lead in their series by downing the Yorkton Cardinals 3 to 2. One of Al Marshall's two singles directly plated the tying run while his other one-bagger, followed by an outfield miscue on the same play, allowed the winning counter to score for the Indians.
Bowes (L) and Johnson
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(August 17) The Moose Jaw Regals regained the lead over the Saskatoon Commodores in their semi-final series with a 5 to 0 victory at Ross Wells Park. Larry Tollefson's solo homer in the fourth inning proved to be all the help that winning chucker Fred Cardwell needed in beating the Commodores. The flame-throwing right-hander gave up seven hits and fanned nine. After Tollefson had given the Regals a 1 to 0 lead, Cardwell added an insurance run when he singled to drive in Doug Gillies. Tollefson also hit a single to share Moose Jaw's two-hit performances with Cardwell and Warren Humphreys. Ed Lukowich had a triple and a single for Saskatoon while teammate Randy Munch singled twice.
Tabashniuk (L), Kehl (5), I. Mitchell (8) and Williams
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
(August 17) The Swift Current Indians jumped into a commanding three games to one lead when they thumped the Yorkton Cardinals 8 to 5 in Southern League semi-final playoff action. One game has also been tied. Trailing 3 to 2 after five frames, the Tribe broke the game wide open with four counters in the sixth and never looked back. Brian Keegan led the Indians' 12-hit attack off losing hurler Greg Bromann with three singles. Terry Buck, who finished the regular season with a .405 batting average, checked in with a double and single while infielder Don McLeod had a brace of one-baggers. Winner Neil Ernst was touched for 11 safeties but displayed excellent control as he fanned nine. Gord Johnson and Gary Reagan belted solo homers for the Redbirds.
Ernst (W) and Sutherland
Bromann (L) and Johnson
(August 19) The Saskatoon Commodores handed Moose Jaw's Gary DeBenedetti his first loss of the season when they picked up a single tally in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the visiting Regals 4 to 3. The Saskatonians rode the four-hit pitching of Don Hrapchak to square their semi-final series at two games each. A throwing error by Moose Jaw shortstop Ned Andreoni in the bottom of the seventh, with Ian Mitchell on base through a previous error, allowed the Commodores to score the winning run.
DeBenedetti (L) and Tollefson
Hrapchak (W) and Brown
(August 19) The Swift Current Indians battled their way back from an 8 to 0 deficit to gain a 9 - 9 tie with the Yorkton Cardinals, the second deadlocked game in their semi-final. The Tribe still own a two-game edge with the Cardinals facing elimination should they lose one more game. Four home runs were hit in this stalemate, two by each club. Terry Buck and Al Marshall of the Indians both had solo dingers while playing-manager Gord Johnson of the Redbirds clouted a grand slam four-bagger and pitcher John Eichholtz a two-run round-tripper. The game was called after seven innings because of darkness just after Marshall had singled home the tying run.
Eichholtz, Reagan (6), Eichholtz (7), Reagan (7) and Johnson
Wall, Olheiser (2), Buck (7) and Sutherland
(August 20) Outfielder Doug Simon of the Regina Red Sox was announced as the 1971 Southern League batting champion in today's edition of the Regina Leader-Post. Simon collected a total of 33 base hits in 80 plate appearances for an impressive .412 batting average. For his accomplishment, Simon emerged as the winner of the Dave Dryburgh memorial trophy. The race for the top pitcher proved to be a one-man race as Gary DeBenedetti of the Moose Jaw Regals won handily, posting a perfect 9 - 0 won-lost mark to go along with an earned run average of 0.95.
(August 20) The Saskatoon Commodores moved to within one game of pulling off a major upset in the Southern League semi-finals when they blanked the Moose Jaw Regals 3 to 0 at Ross Wells Park. The victory gave the Commodores a three games to two lead in the best-of seven series. Left-hander Larry Lazecki spun a nine-hitter for the shutout win, fanning five while the Regals left ten runners stranded. The Saskatonians snapped a scoreless tie by picking up a single run in the sixth and adding two more in the seventh. Losing hurler Roy Rowley gave up eight hits, fanned five and also led the Regals at the plate with a double and two singles.
Lazecki (W) and Brown
Rowley (L) and Tollefson
(August 21) Fred Cardwell tossed a three-hitter as the Moose Jaw Regals blanked the Saskatoon Commodores 8 to 0 to pull even in their best-of-seven series with the Bridge City boys. The fireballing right-hander fanned 12 in posting the shutout win. Roy Rowley and Gary Erfle had three singles each for the winners while Cardwell's battery mate, Larry Tollefson, added a solo home run in the one-sided affair.
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
Tabashniuk (L), Martinson (3) and Williams
(August 21) The Yorkton Cardinals are still alive after escaping with a last-inning 5 to 4 victory over the Swift Current Indians. It was the Cards second win in the best-of-seven series. Vern Neal led off the ninth inning with a triple and scored the winner on a throwing error by Swift Current shortstop Don McLeod. Gord Johnson had a two-run homer for the winners while Gary Reagan contributed a bases-empty blast.
Buck (L) and Sutherland
Bromann (W) and Johnson
(August 22) The Moose Jaw Regals advanced to the Southern League final series when they turned on the power to thump the upstart Saskatoon Commodores 8 to 2 in the seventh game of their semi-final showdown. The Regals spotted the Commodores a 1 to 0 lead in the top of the first but roared back to decide the issue in their first turn at bat when Ned Andreoni and Erwin Doerksen hit back-to-back solo homers to give the homesters a 2 to 1 edge, a lead they never relinquished. In all, the Regals collected 14 hits off three Saskatoon hurlers to make things easy for winning hurler Gary DeBenedetti. Andreoni added a double to his homer and Doerksen later connected for a single. Clark Compton smacked a pair of doubles while Doug Gillies and DeBenedetti checked in with a double and single each. Randy Munch and Gary Brandon singled twice apiece for the Saskatonians.
Haanen (L), Brandon (1), Brown (7) and Williams
DeBenedetti (W) and Tollefson
(August 22) The Swift Current Indians trounced the Yorkton Cardinals 12 to 2 to win their semi-final series four games to two with two games tied. Neil Ernst scattered seven safeties to pick up the playoff win. Terry Buck and Harvey Nybo led the Indians' 13-hit offense against a pair of Yorkton hurlers with three hits apiece. The Tribe will now take on the defending champion Moose Jaw Regals for the Southern League crown.
Bowes (L), Eichholtz (3) and Johnson, V. Neal (8)
Ernst (W) and Sutherland
LEAGUE FINAL SERIES
(August 25) With right-hander Fred Cardwell firmly in control throughout the game, the Moose Jaw Regals defeated the Swift Current Indians 5 to 0 in the first game of the best-of-seven Southern League final. Cardwell pitched no-hit ball until the sixth inning and ended with a three-hitter, striking out 14. Terry Buck was the loser, giving up seven hits and striking out eleven, but he was no match for Cardwell who has completed 27 innings of shutout pitching in the Southern League playoffs. In his last two appearances, Cardwell blanked the Saskatoon Commodores 5 - 0 and 8 - 0. Cardwell's teammates gave him all the offensive support he needed in the first inning as first sacker Erwin Doerksen drove in a pair of runs with a double. Doerksen also drove in Moose Jaw's third counter with a third inning sacrifice fly. Moose Jaw's Ned Andreoni was the standout swatter in the game with a triple and single.
Buck (L) and xxx
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
(August 26) Al Marshall's third hit, a run-scoring single in the sixth inning, gave the Swift Current Indians a 6 to 5 victory over the Moose Jaw Regals in the second game of the Southern League's final series. The best-of-seven affair is now tied at one game apiece. Marshall's single chased home Terry Buck after the Regals battled from behind a 5 to 2 deficit to tie the score in the top of the sixth. Marshall, who had stroked a run-scoring single in the Indians' two-run first and ended starting pitcher Gary DeBenedetti's tenure on the mound with his second single in a three-run fifth, was banished from the game along with Regals catcher Larry Tollefson in the bottom of the sixth for fighting after a collision at the plate. Import right-hander Neil Ernst went the distance for the win, fanning ten while giving up an equal number of hits. The Tribe had a total of 13 hits off DeBenedetti and reliever Erwin Doerksen who was saddled with the loss. Buck had a solo homer and single for Swift Current while Tollefson and Ned Andreoni both had a double and single for the losers.
DeBenedetti, Doerksen (5) (L) and Tollefson, D. Gillies (7)
Ernst (W) and Sutherland
(August 28) The Moose Jaw Regals scored seven runs in the first inning and went on to a 10 to 8 triumph over the Swift Current Indians to take a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven Southern League final series. Darkness prevented the game from continuing after five and a half innings had been played. Ned Andreoni led Moose Jaw's 13-hit offensive outburst with three doubles. Winning pitcher Roy Rowley aided his own cause by singling three times. Clark Compton of the Regals blasted a solo home run in the third, the game's only circuit clout.
Wall (L), Ernst (1), Marshall (3) and Sutherland
Rowley (W), Doerksen (6) and Tollefson
(August 29) The Moose Jaw Regals moved to within one victory of their second straight Southern League crown by picking up a convincing 9 to 2 victory from the Swift Current Indians before 1,800 fans in the Frontier City. The Regals took a 2 to 0 first inning lead and upped the count to 6 to 0 before the Indians broke Fred Cardwell's scoreless playoff string at 32 innings with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Cardwell held the Tribe to five hits while fanning six. Roy Rowley had a three-run homer and Clark Compton a two-run four-bagger off losing chucker Terry Buck.
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson
Buck (L) and Sutherland
(August 31) The Swift Current Indians, faced with a do-or-die situation, forced the best-of-seven Southern League final series to a sixth game when they defeated the Moose Jaw Regals 5 to 3. The Indians needed a three-run rally in the eighth to overcome a 3 to 2 Moose Jaw lead. Import right-hander Neil Ernst was a standout for the Tribe, scattering seven hits and fanning eight. Gary DeBenedetti, who was the leading hurler during the regular season with a perfect 9 - 0 record, also scattered seven hits but five errors by his mates spelled the difference. The Indians manufactured their three eighth-inning runs on only one hit as the Regals committed a trio of costly errors. Terry Buck and Bill Sutherland led the Indians at the plate with a double each while Johnny Ford added a pair of singles. Larry Tollefson singled twice for Moose Jaw.
Ernst (W) and Sutherland
DeBenedetti (L) and Tollefson
(September 2) Bill Sutherland had six RBI's to lead the stubborn Swift Current Indians to a 14 to 4 throttling of the Moose Jaw Regals to tie the Southern League final series at three games each. Sutherland unloaded for a base-loaded double in the second frame off losing pitcher Roy Rowley and then blasted a three-run homer in the fourth to bury the Regals for the evening. Terry Buck struck out nine and gave up four hits in taking the mound win in the eight-inning contest, shortened by darkness. Veteran Johnny Ford collected a double and single for the Indians while Buck and Al Marshall both had a pair of singles. Ned Andreoni and Larry Tollefson both smashed two-run homers to account for all the Moose Jaw scoring.
Rowley (L), Doerksen (2), Stein (5) and Tollefson
Buck (W) and Sutherland
(September 3) Gary Erfle's clutch single in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in Larry Tollefson with the winning run as the Moose Jaw Regals defeated the Swift Current Indians 2 to 1 to capture the Southern League championship for the second consecutive year. Tollefson staked the Regals to an early lead with a second-inning solo homer off losing pitcher Neil Ernst. The Tribe tied things up in the fourth when Johnny Ford singled home Al Marshall. Winning pitcher Fred Cardwell allowed Swift Current only five hits and struck out eleven.
Ernst (L) and Sutherland
Cardwell (W) and Tollefson