It was a ninth inning meltdown for the Yorkton Cardinals.
Medicine Hat were at Jubilee Park for Western Major Baseball League action, and the hometown Cardinals seemed on their way to victory.
Yorkton scored twice in the first inning, but relinquished the lead when the Mavericks scored three in the third.
The Cardinals tied the game 3-3 with a run in the fourth, taking the lead with four in the fifth.
Yorkton carried the 7-3 lead into the ninth, but could not hold it as the Mavericks scored six to wrestle away a 9-7 win, when Yorkton failed to score in the bottom of the frame.
Gavin Collins started the game on the mound for Yorkton leaving the game after five innings work giving up only one hit and three earned runs, with walking seven and striking out eight.
Loss on road
The Beavers were unfriendly hosts Saturday handing the visiting Yorkton Cardinals a 6-1 loss.
The Beavers scored in the first, third and fourth to lead 4-0 before Yorkton scored their single run in the fifth on a solo home run by Luke Wilkinson. Weyburn added two on the sixth for the 6-1 win.
Ryan Johnson was the Cardinal starter tossing six innings, giving up three hits, and one earned run, while striking out five.
By the start of the ninth Max Biedrzycki was on the hill, having pitched a scoreless eighth. He would walk two, hit a batter and be responsible for three runs, two of those earned.
Austin Douglas would come in to a bases loaded situation and give up two hits, three runs and be tagged with the loss, as the Mavericks scored six in the ninth.
The loss left Yorkton with a 12-11 record for a .522 winning percentage, and third place sitting 4.5 games back of Swift Current who lead the WMBL Eastern Division. Regina is second three games out.
Weyburn sits fourth five-games back, Melville 9.5 back and Moose Jaw 10.5
Win over Sox
Friday Regina, who the Cardinals are chasing for second in the WMBL East were at Jubilee Park Friday.
Yorkton took the lead with one in the third, but Regina replied with one in the fourth.
The Cardinals scored three in the home half of the fourth for a 4-1 lead.
Regina added one in the fifth, but that would be the extent of the Red Sox offence, with the Cardinals adding three in the eighth to round out a 7-2 win.
Hunter Hisky had a monster night to lead the home side offence with three hits, including a home run, accounting for five runs batted in and scoring two himself.
Justin Johnston was the Cardinal starter, and winning pitcher, based on seven innings of work. He allowed eight hits, two earned runs and struck out two.
Back on track
After a lopsided loss a night earlier Kody Rock helped right-the-ship going 6.2 innings allowing six hits and striking out three in a 3-1 win over Moose Jaw Thursday at Jubilee Park.
Austin Douglas earned a save on an inning’s work.
Yorkton scored two in the third, gave the Miller Express one back in the fifth, one they got back in the sixth on their way to the win.
End of mini streak
The Cardinals hosted Weyburn last Wednesday heading into the home field contest riding a four-game winning streak.
That streak was blown to bits by Beaver bats that night as they scored 14 runs on 12 hits, eight walks and three Cardinal errors.
The damage started when Weyburn posted a six-spot in the second, then added four in the fourth and two in the sixth, before Yorkton scored a run. The game would conclude 14-1.
Jamie Whitehead would start the game but survive only 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and five walks leading to six earned runs.
Win over MJ
Last Tuesday, June 21, the Miller Express rolled into Jubilee Park in the city to face the Cardinals.
Yorkton took the lead with one in the third, adding another in the fourth.
Moose Jaw cut the lead in half with one in the fifth, only to have the Cardinals score two in the sixth, and add another in the eighth for a 5-1 win.
Gavin Collins was the pitcher of record for Yorkton. He tossed seven innings allowing only three hits, one earned run and striking out 10.
Max Biedrzycki picked up the save based on 1.1 innings of relief.
Up next
Medicine Hat were scheduled to host Medicine Hat last night (Tuesday), but results were not available at press time.
Moose Jaw visits Jubilee Park for a Canada Day encounter Friday with a 2:05 p.m. start.
Sunday Yorkton heads to Moose Jaw.
Monday the Cards will defend home field against Weyburn, then face the Miller Express at Jubilee Park Tuesday.
