The North Battleford Beavers have been in some close games this season in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League, but have struggled to score runs.
In the Beavers' three losses this season they have scored a total of one run. Monday was the most recent episode, as the Beavers fell to 2-3 on the season after being shutout by the Lloydminster Meridian Twins.
Jared Inkster held the Twins off the scoreboard for five innings, allowing just two hits in that span. In the sixth inning, the Twins broke the tie when Craig Traverse was walked that was followed by a double. With runners on second and third Derrick Lantz hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score what would be the winning run.
The Twins added three more runs in the seventh inning to earn the 4-0 win.
Inkster pitched the complete game allowing six hits, three walks and struck out four batters.
On the other side of the diamond, Troy Winterhalt pitched five innings for the Twins keeping the Beavers bats at bay. Kyle Gregoire had the only hit off Winterhalt while three other players earned walks and one was hit by a pitch.
Steve Borbow moved from first base to pitch the final two innings and earned the save as he allowed just one hit and struck out two in two innings.
The Twins improved to 4-1 on the season and sit in third place in the NSRBL. The Border City Blue Jays and Lloydminster Junior Redhawks were both 4-0 before action resumed Tuesday.
The Beavers did win 6-4 in St. Walburg Thursday and now sit in sixth place.
The Beavers play in Lloydminster against the Redhawks Wednesday and their next home game will be Monday against the Standard Hill Lakers.
