An extra inning playoff win

“It was big thrill. It was the first walk-off I’ve ever had in my life.”
— Caden Rosholt, on his game-winning RBI

The Yorkton Cardinals have put their first playoff win in the books.

The Cardinals, who finished the Western Major Baseball League season with a franchise best record of 28-19, and second spot in the East Division, are facing third place Regina in the opening round of the playoffs.

The best-of-five series was to start Sunday, but was rained out at Jubilee Park, pushing the series start to Monday.

The teams traded first inning runs, with Yorkton taking a lead with three runs in the third.

The Red Sox put up one in the fourth, then added three in the fifth to edge ahead 5-4.

In the sixth Yorkton scored one to tie the game 5-5, a score which held into the 10th inning.

In the 10th, with two out Chance Wheatly hit a double to left field, bringing to the plate Caden Rosholt who hit one over the centre fielder for the walk-off, game-winning RBI.

“It was big thrill,” said Rosholt after the contest. “It was the first walk-off I’ve ever had in my life.”

And the opening win in a series is huge.

“It’s always good to win the first game at home,” offered Rosholt.

Rosholt admitted early on the Cardinals were a little out of sync.

“There wasn’t a lot of energy,” he said.

Head coach Bryn Biancalana agreed.

“We were a little flat early on,” he said.

But the Cardinals battled at the plate.

“We kept having good at-bats. We were grinding it out,” said Biancalana.

And the hit by Rosholt was just what was needed.

“We hadn’t had a walk-off all year,” said Biancalana.

Gavin Collins was the starting pitcher for Yorkton. He went five innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, four of those earned. He struck out five, and walked six.

Spencer Jackson would go the rest of the way for Yorkton, allowing no hits, no runs, walking four and striking out four for the win.

Biancalana said he couldn’t say enough about the effort of his reliever.

“When the pressure gets up, he just gets better,” he said.

Justin Johnson was scheduled to start game two Tuesday in Yorkton, but results were not available at press time.

The Cards are without Kody Rock and Luke Lacas.

Rock’s loss is big. He was awarded the WMBL Pitcher of the Year and was named a first team All-Star, after finishing the season with five wins, finishing second in strikeouts with 58, and leading the league with a 1.92 ERA. Unfortunately the Canora native was poached by the Mankato Moondogs of the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is also collegiate summer baseball league, one which has a reputation as a top league of its level.

Up next

Game 3 of the series goes tonight (Wednesday), in Regina, with Game 4, if necessary Thursday in Regina.

Game 5, again if necessary will be at Jubliee Park in Yorkton Friday.