The Southeast Performance Pump midget AAA Twins opened their 2017 season with a pair of road wins over the Swift Current 57s on Saturday afternoon.
The Twins took the first game of the doubleheader 4-2, and then routed the 57s 8-0 in the second game.
The Twins took Game 1 even though they were credited with just one hit, a run-scoring double by second baseman Jaxon Robertson. The Twins scored twice in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead, and doubled the lead with two more in the fifth.
Swift Current managed their two runs in the fifth inning, but the Twins shut down the 57s bats the rest of the game.
Brett MacMurchy was outstanding on the mound in the win, as he gave up two unearned runs and struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings. Ryan Gaab came on in the seventh and final inning and didn’t allow a hit in two-thirds of an inning to pick up the save.
Coach Kent Phillips was impressed with the defensive play and the pitching in the first game.
The Twins had five hits and walked 11 times in the second win over the 57s. They scored twice in the first inning, and after scoring once in the second and fourth frames, they added four in the sixth to pull away.
Outfielder Walker Happ had two runs and two hits, including a double, to pace the Twins offence, while second baseman Dahlyn Klassen had a single and drove in two runs.
“Swift Current ran out of some pitching,” said Phillips. “They were missing some key players due to other sports, and we were able to take advantage of the pitching they had to offer in the second game.”
Starting pitcher Rhett Nikolejsin pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and striking out nine in seven innings.
“We had great pitching performances by our two starting pitchers (against Swift Current), which was awesome to see,” said Phillips.
Phillips noted the Twins were missing five players on the weekend as well, thanks to other sports commitments and spring break. So he’s a little surprised they were able to outscore the 57s 12-2 over the two games.
“As far as the skill level of the guys we have, I wasn’t really surprised that they could come out and do some good things,” said Phillips.
Phillips noted they have a good contingent of first-year players, including some who were part of the Zone 1 entry that won gold in baseball at the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan.
“I knew what we were getting with the guys returning, but the new guys we have offer a lot to benefit the team in different areas,” said Phillips.
The Twins next game will be May 7 when they visit the Regina White Sox at Currie Field.
