Just one of the four North Saskatchewan River Baseball League playoff series started last week with the North Battleford Beavers up against the Wilkie Brewers.
Wilkie hosted the Beavers Thursday and it was an impressive pitching performance by both teams, but not the outcome the Beavers were hoping for.
In the regular season game between the two teams, the Beavers had two runners on in the first three innings, but failed to push a run across and ultimately were chasing Wilkie after that.
That wasn't the case Thursday, as Kyle Gregoire led off the game with a double and later scored in the inning to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.
Aaron Huber, pitched well for the Beavers, holding the Brewers' offence at bay in the first three innings and eventually surrendering four hits and three runs. The biggest hit of the night was by Jason Schell who belted a two-run home run over the right field fence. Schell also hit a home run against the Beavers in Wilkie earlier in the same part of the diamond and struck again Thursday.
The Brewers led 3-1 heading into the seventh inning, and after Huber walked to leadoff the inning, he stole second, reach third on a wild throw and later scored. That was as close as the Beavers would get, as the game ended 3-2 for the Brewers.
Aaron Sittler allowed four hits in six innings while earning the win. Barrett Nielsen earned the save after coming into the game in the seventh inning. Wilkie was in North Battleford Tuesday night in game two of the best-of-three series. If the Beavers win, game three is scheduled for Wednesday in Wilkie.
The Beavers also played in Saskatoon in game two of their senior A provincial playoffs with the Saskatoon Diggers Saturday and lost. The Beavers were looking for a better showing against the Diggers after losing at home and falling behind in the series 1-0 July 19. Saturday, the Beavers played better but still lost, this time by a 6-3 score. The Beavers are now eliminated from provincials, as the Diggers move on the provincial tournament in Carlyle.
Jared Inkster pitched for the Beavers while David Schell was on the mound for the Diggers.
Matt Benson hit a two-run homer for the Beavers in the losing effort.
The only other series to start was the first versus eighth series between the Lloydminster Meridian Twins and Lloydminster Midget Twins Monday.
In other NSRBL news, the teams released their picks for team MVP. From the list of 13 players, the team will vote for a first second and third place winner and the top vote getter will receive the league MVP award, which should be announced Aug. 8.
From North Battleford the nominee was Kyle Gregoire, a pitcher and outfielder who has developed into a good batter for the Beavers during the previous two seasons. Last year's MVP, Rylan Rogers, also a Beaver, did not play in the league this year so the award is up for grabs.
Also nominated was former MVP award winner Colby Field of the Border City Blue Jays.
The other nominees include Jeff Koslosfski of Kindersley, Jason Fechter of the Lloydminster Junior Redhawks, Kelly Hoffer of the Lloydminster Meridian Twins, Travis Kusch of the Lloydminster Midget Twins, Craig Weran of Meadow Lake, Kelly Baillargeon of Mervin, Marty Bowes of the Midwest Expos, Scott Thompson of St. Walburg, Brett Harrison of Standard Hill, Regan L'Heureux of the Unity Cardinals, Alex David of the Unity Midget A's and Russ Nielsen of Wilkie.
