To err is human. To win is divine.
The Humboldt Midget AAA Dodgers took advantage of a late Saskatoon Giants fielding error May 11 to win their opening game of the season 3-2.
In the sixth inning of a tight 2-2 ball game, the Dodgers put two men on with a single by Brandon Tkatch and a walk. However, with two out, Curtis Fontaine popped up into what should have been an easy out to the Giants' third baseman. But the fielder lost his balance and dropped the ball, allowing Tkatch to score what proved to be the winning run. Reliever Craig McWillie shut the Giants out in the top of the seventh to preserve the victory.
Dodgers manager Roger Gerwing credited the heads-up base running of Tkatch in scoring the go-ahead run. In situations where you expect a fielder to make an easy play, base runners often don't bother to make the effort to see the play through. But Tkatch had the jets on from the moment the ball left Saskatoon pitcher Jared Andreychuk's hand. By the time the ball hit the ground, Tkatch was practically home.
"If he hadn't have run it out, we never would have scored," Gerwing said.
It was a close game right to the finish.
Humboldt went up 1-0 in the first inning when Jordan Gerwing drove in Keenan Lucas with a hard grounder through the right side of the infield.
Saskatoon responded in the top of the third with a pair of runs, as Aaron Barrett smashed a double to left, then came home on a Jake Hersikorn single. Hersikorn scored in turn on an RBI single by Quinn Hersikorn.
Cam Blair tied it for the Dodgers in the fourth with a hard double that sailed over the centrefielder's head, bringing in Lucas from first.
Then came the winning running for the Dodgers in the sixth.
Starter Dean Jaeb pitched five solid innings for Humboldt, scattering seven hits and striking out four while giving up one earned run. He earned a no decision, however, as he left the game with the score tied.
Craig McWillie came in and pitched the final two innings in relief, and was credited with the win as Jaeb left the game when it was still tied. McWillie struck out three.
Gerwing said he was very happy with the team's pitching.
"Dean had a few walks, but that's to be expected, first game of the year," he said. "But he threw very well. His velocity was good, his breaking ball was going pretty good, and he's working on a cutter pitch now that's starting to work well.
"I was very happy with the way we played defensively, and the way our pitchers performed."
The game was the Dodgers' first of the year, as their season-opening doubleheader in Yorkton ended up being cancelled due to a blizzard. With the loss, the Giants fell to 4-3 on the season.
Gerwing noted that although his boys had yet to see game action this year, they have certainly worked hard to prepare.
"We have practised lots, and I think it showed," he said. "I thought we were pretty sharp."
The Dodgers suited up for a pair of home games against the Southeast Legacy Twins on Sunday, and Gerwing felt the weekend doubleheader would give a better indication of where the team is at.
Offence was certainly no problem in the first contest, with the Dodgers taking advantage of several Twins errors to hammer out a big 17-5 victory.
Dean Jaeb got the start again on the mound for Humboldt, and he earned his first victory of the season. Keenan Lucas finished off the game. Jordan Gerwing and Cam Blair both had solid showings at the plate, going three for three.
Game two was a much tighter, defensive affair, with the Dodgers eking out a 2-0 win. Aaron Baker scored one run and drove in the other to lead the Dodgers' offence. Jordan Gerwing pitched six solid innings, and Craig McWillie came in for the save.
The Dodgers' next home action is May 29, when they host a doubleheader against the Moose Jaw Cardinals. Game time is 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Uniplex diamond no. 2.
