One could easily forgive the Yorkton Yankees for going winless in their last three games. After all, they had not had a three game winless skid in over two years in SESBL.
But a winless skid is what they found themselves on having lost 10-2 to Langenburg on June 6 before tying the Russell Bulls 1-1 on June 11 and losing to the Melville Bison 3-0 on June 13.
So, with the league-leading Canora Supers visiting Jubilee Park, player/coach Mark Jacobs felt he had but one option should they want to avoid a four game skid and claim a home victory. That option was to start Yankee veteran Logan Calanchie on the mound and hope that he could shut down the Supers offence like he did last year on the same field in a 1-0 win in which he outduelled Canora starter Colby Parachoniak.
Calanchie picked up where he left off last season against the Supers, torching the league's top team en route to a complete game victory in which he surrendered just three hits and two walks while striking out six. "When he gets that ball he just throws so well," said Jacobs of his ace. "He knows how to keep hitters off balance and get guys out.
"Give them credit, they put a lot of balls in play and they're a good hitting team. Some of their outs were very hard hit balls but we made the plays and did well defensively.
A strong defensive effort from his club is something that Jacobs is relieved to see after a couple lacklustre defensive efforts at best that directly resulted in the three game slide. "The last few games our defence might have let us down a little bit but tonight it was spot on," offered Jacobs, continuing, "We made the plays we needed to.
One player that Jacobs feels really went to work not only defensively but offensively as well was second baseman Luke Boechler. "Boechler played second base and he was huge, making three plays that were above average," mentioned the Yankees player/coach following the game. "He also went 2-for-3 at the plate so that was good."
Up next
The Yorkton Yankees next action will be tonight when they visit the Parkland Padres in the familiar confines of Jubilee Park. The only difference will be the dugout as the Yankees will find themselves as the visiting club. First pitch is set for 8:00pm.
SESBL Standings
1. Canora Supers (7-2)
2. Swan R. Reds (6-3)
3. Langen. Indians (6-5)
4. York. Yankees (5-3-1)
5. Russell Bulls (4-3-1)
6. W.brook Royals (3-3)
7. York. Orioles (3-3)
8. Melville Bison (3-4)
9. P.land Padres (1-3)
10. W.P. Stars (0-9)
