Saturday 13-8 Win Over Prospects

The Moose Jaw Miller Express had timely hitting and utilized the long ball Saturday night in a 13-8 win over the Edmonton Prospects, in the first game of a weekend series.

Edmonton was first on the board when they scored one run in the opening inning, but Moose Jaw responded in their half of the inning when Derek Cornell scored on a two-out RBI double from Jayse McLean.

In the second inning and with one out and one on, catcher Jeremy Stidham drilled a two-run home run to give Moose Jaw a 3-1 lead.

Edmonton was able to get one of those runs back in the top of the third, but once again the Millers responded with a run of their own to keep a two-run lead.

After Edmonton cut in to the Moose Jaw lead in the top of the fourth by scoring one, the Millers bats went to work.

Stidham led the inning off with a walk and then went to third after a double from Cornell. After Chris Suarez struck out, local product Ben Douglas hammered a ball to right centre field for a double that scored two runs. After that McLean walked to the batter’s box and hammered a two-run home run to make it 8-3 Moose Jaw.

Edmonton continued to chip away, scoring runs in the fifth and sixth innings to make it a three run game. However, once again the Express bats went to work in the bottom of the sixth.

Douglas led off the inning with a walk, and then after McLean struck out, Marvin Malone hit a double to put runners at second and third. Designated Hitter Ryan Thrasher cashed in Douglas with an RBI double. Shortstop Andrew Wilson brought in Malone with a sacrifice fly, and then Ty Russell knocked in Thrasher for a single to cap off a three run inning to make it 11-5.

In the seventh inning the Millers went back to the long ball as Chris Suarez pounded a two-run shot over the left field wall to make it 13-5.

The eighth and ninth innings saw the Prospects close the gap, scoring twice in the eighth and once in the ninth, but the Millers held on for the 13-8 win.

Derek Cornell finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs scored; Jayse McLean was 3-for-5 with three RBI’s; Marvin Malone was 2-for-4 with two RBI’s.

Veteran right hander Brandon Acosta got the win, allowing five runs on nine hits over six innings, Edmonton’s Matt Weaver took the loss by allowing six runs on seven hits over three and a third innings.

These two teams will close out their weekend series Sunday, 7pm, at Ross Wells Park.