SOUTHERN LEAGUE
With the semi-pro Regina Caps withdrawing from the pro-circuit S.B.L. in 1954, the Southern League Red Sox and Royal Caps now became "the only game in town" within the Queen City. Five of the six 1953 member clubs returned for another campaign. The doormats of the previous season, the Milestone Athletics, lacking in depth and stable player personnel decided to disband and the core of last summer's team was split between the Regina Red Sox and Regina Royal Caps. However, expansion brought forth one familiar participant plus two new ones, thus increasing the number of teams from 6 to 8.
After a two year hiatus from Southern League play, the Moose Jaw franchise returned once more with a team made up of players from both the Mill City and the adjacent Lake Valley/Rowletta area. Hence, the club played under the banner of the "Lakers" to reflect that. Joining the Lakers as new entrants were teams from Assiniboia, the Aces, and Estevan-Bienfait, known as the Coalers. Each of the 8 member teams are scheduled to play 28 games with the exception of the Avonlea Arrows who will take part in only 14 games. Avonlea requested the shortened schedule because many on the roster find it difficult to get time to play in the early spring and late in the summer.
(May 15) Ed Magis and Lionel L'Heureux combined their diamond talents to spoil the home opener of the defending champion Regina Red Sox as play in the Southern League got under way. Magis socked a two-run homer in the 9th inning while L'Heureux handcuffed the Sox with a three-hitter as the Notre Dame Hounds fashioned a 6 - 4 decision. The Hounds waited until the final frame to find their batting eyes as they came from behind with a three-run surge to grab the win. Until the last inning let-down, losing pitcher Wes Richardson of the Red Sox had tamed the Hounds with five scattered singles. Frank Germann, the Dogs' shortstop, was the only player on either roster to register two hits.
L'Heureux (W), Steele (9) and Ross
Richardson (L) and Turner
(May 16) John Coleshaw, a newcomer to the Regina Royal Caps from the now defunct Milestone Athletics squad, made a formidable impression on his new mates as he belted a grand slam home run to lead the Reginans to a 12 - 5 rout of the Notre Dame Hounds.
Wall (W), Larter and xxxx
XXX and xxx
(May 16) The Avonlea Arrows pounded out a 13 - 10 verdict over the Assiniboia Aces in the Aces' Southern League debut as portsider Gordon Campbell outperformed his mound counterpart, losing pitcher Gordon Skjerven.
Gordon Campbell (W) and xxxx
Skjervan (L) and xxxx
(May 18) A new Southern League entry, the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers, put a damper on the Weyburn Beavers home opener of the new season with a six inning, 15 - 11 come-from-behind victory. The Coalers trailed 9 - 2 at one point but scored 13 times in the the 5th and 6th frames to forge ahead in this error-studded game and sting Ron Martinson, the third of four Beaver pitchers, with the loss. Hugo Dombowsky, the former Notre Dame Hound and Avonlea Arrow, picked up the win, entering from the bullpen in the 5th. Weyburn starter Dave Hoff and Hank Dornstauder of the Coalers had round trippers in this game. Batting honors for the night went to Keith Covert of Weyburn who went 3 for 3. Two ex-Notre Dame Hounds, Walt Becker, with 2 for 4, and Dornstauder, with a 3 for 5 game, led the Coalmen of the co-op towns. Doug Shupe of the Beavers had a 2 for 5 game.
Renchko, Verpe (1), Dombowsky (W) (5) and Enmark
Hoff, Reily (4), Martinson (L) (5), Covert (6) and Evans
(May 19) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers battled the Notre Dame Hounds to a 3 - 3 deadlock in their debut at home, a match called at the end of 7 innings when darkness set in. The Coalers used two hurlers in this game while the Hounds stuck with veteran Lionel L'Heureux throughout. Hank Dornstauder, Walt Becker and Nasie Schnell all had two hits for the home team while Tim Daley with a double and single in four tries was best for the collegians.
L'Heureux and McDonald
Roy, Verpe (4) and Jackson
(May 20) The Regina Royal Caps rallied for two runs in the 7th and final frame to edge the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 5 for their second win in as many starts in the young Southern League season. Veteran southpaw hurler Lloyd Woolley and newcomer Paul Sembaliuk shared the hero's mantle in this darkness shortened affair. Woolley took over for Royal Caps' starter Lefty Harrison in the 4th and pitched a hitless game thereafter to get credit for the win. Sembaliuk cracked a triple and double in four trips to the plate. Don Woolley of the Royal Caps and outfielder Doug Shupe of Weyburn both had two hits. Portsider Dave Hoff went the route for the Beavers yielding 8 safe blows while fanning 8.
Hoff (L) and Trene
Harrison, L. Woolley (W) (4) and Lysack, Stewart, McNabb
(May 21) A team from Moose Jaw made a successful return to Southern League wars as the newly named Lakers downed the defending champion Regina Red Sox 5 - 3 in a 6 inning, darkness shortened game. The Lakers, behind 3 - 2 entering what would ultimately be the last inning, scored three times to turn their fortunes around. Don Devine's two-run double scored the winning and insurance runs for Moose Jaw, earning Dave White the win in relief of starter Wally Blaisdell. Devine also made the defensive play of the game, robbing the Sox' Ed Prosofsky of a sure extra-base hit in the bottom of the last inning with the potential tying runs on base. Loser Tommy Leverick went the route for the Red Stockings and, except for the final frame, threw a reasonably good game. Outfielder Owen Gillstrom of the Redlegs was the game's top swatter with three hits. Prosofsky had two doubles and Murray Smail of the Mill City crew had a brace of raps.
Blaisdell, White (W) (3) and Peterson
Leverick (L) and Turner
(May 25) The Southern League's defending champion Regina Red Sox recorded their first victory of the season by tripping their highly-regarded city rivals, the Regina Royal Caps 4 - 3. Entering the 9th inning tied, the Red Sox struck for the winning counter when Ken McEachern hit a pinch-hit double and was sent home on Ed Prosofsky's triple. Right-hander Tom Leverick was credited with the victory in a relief role. Vic "Lefty" Wall, out of the bullpen to offer aid to starter Ron Larter, was pinned with the setback. Prosofsky led the Red Sockers' 12-hit siege with three safeties while rookie catcher Elton Manz and outfielder Johnny Daniels each chipped in with a pair.
Richardson, Leverick (W) (7) and Manz, Turner (9)
Larter, Wall (L) (8) and Stewart, McNabb (6)
(May 26) The Moose Jaw Lakers made it two straight in early Southern League play by defeating the Assiniboia Aces 7 - 2 in a game called after 7 innings because of darkness. Wally Blaisdell went the distance to post the pitching win on the strength of a five-hit job. Blaisdell started in shaky fashion, allowing the Aces to tally single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings but after that he was in command. Lefty Erfle started for the Aces but a sore arm sent him to the sidelines after the 1st inning. Norm Logan, the second of three Assiniboia hurlers, was tagged with the setback. Moose Jaw catcher Ralph Peterson paced the Lakers with two doubles and three RBI's. Glen "Baldy" Smith also had two of the Lakers seven hits. For the Aces, Oscar Hanson and Pete McLeod each had a brace.
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
A. Erfle, Logan (L) (2), Skjerven (5) and Waterton
(May 28) The Notre Dame Hounds handed the Weyburn Beavers their third consecutive Southern League loss, beating the Soo-Liners 8 - 4. "Hap" L'Heureux went four innings for the Hounds and gained credit for the win. Southpaw Dave Hoff lasted three innings on the hill for Weyburn and was charged with the loss. The Hounds' third baseman Dean Bell led all hitters with three base blows. Teammate Tim Daley had a pair, one of which was a two bagger. For the Beavers, Hoff and Les Wilder both had a brace, one of Wilder's being a double.
L'Heureux (W), Steele (5), Schiebelbein (6) and Ross
Hoff (L), G. Shupe (4) and Treen
(June 2) The Erfle brothers, pitcher Albert "Lefty" and infielder/outfielder Rube, combined their talents to spark the Assiniboia Aces to their first Southern League victory, a 4 - 3 extra-inning thriller over the Weyburn Beavers. The loss for the Beavers was their fourth straight and left them in the league cellar. Rube had four hits, including a triple and double, and his 10th inning single drove home the winning tally for the Aces. Meanwhile, sibling "Lefty" scattered six hits and struck out 7 to gain the pitching nod over Weyburn's Keith Covert. Reg Waterton had two hits for Assiniboia while Doug Shupe and Les Wilder each had a brace for the losers.
Covert (L) and O'Brien
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
(June 3) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers proved to be their own worst enemy as eight defensive miscues and twelve free passes issued by their hurlers spelled their downfall as they dropped an 11 - 6 decision to the Regina Royal Caps. Coalers' starter and loser George Roy only lasted 2 2/3 innings before giving way to southpaw Hugo Dombowsky who toiled on the hill for the remainder of the game. Winning pitcher Lloyd Woolley wasn't at his best for the Royal Caps but had enough to last six innings before giving way to Ed Heidt. Vic Wall, the Royal Caps' handyman, was the only player in the game to get more than one hit, coming through with three.
Roy (L), Dombowsky (3) and Jackson, Enmark
L. Woolley (W), Heidt (7) and Lysack, Stewart
(June 4) The Regina Red Sox blew an early four run lead but came back to score a single run in the 7th inning to post a hard-fought 6 - 5 triumph over their city rivals, the Regina Royal Caps. The game provided a spine-tingling finish when the Royal Caps had runners at second and third with none out in the final frame but Sox pitcher Hank Mitchell retired the last three batters to earn his first victory of the season. Johnny Daniels' 7th inning single drove in Ken McEachern with the run that sewed up the win for the Redlegs and Mitchell. The Royal Caps' Vic Wall was hit with the loss. McEachern, Daniels and third sacker Jake McLean all had two hits for the Red Sox while Wall and catcher Morris McNabb came through with a pair for the Royal Caps. Ken Mohr of the Crimson Hose blasted a bases-empty 380 foot home run in the 5th.
Harrison, Wall (L) (6) and McNabb
Leverick, Mitchell (W) (6) and Turner
(June 4) The Weyburn Beavers snapped a four game losing streak by handing the Avonlea Arrows a 5 - 1 loss. The Beavers bunched four hits and a walk in the 6th inning for all five runs while their southpaw chucker, Dave Hoff, hurled five-hit ball and struck out 12 in besting loser Gordon Campbell.
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smith
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
(June 5) The Moose Jaw Lakers reeled off their third straight Southern League victory by pounding out a decisive 12 - 6 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. The Lakers tagged Notre Dame pitcher Hap L'Heureux for 12 hits and took advantage of 7 miscues by the Dogs to come from behind an early 5 - 2 deficit and take the spoils. Jack Devine limited the Hounds to 10 scattered hits but five Moose Jaw errors kept him in constant trouble. Bob Chapman, Bill Hennenfent, Ralph Peterson and Devine powered the Moose Jaw offense with two hits apiece while Tim Daley, Frank Germann and Ed McNiven garnered two hits each for the Notre Dame cause.
L'Heureux (L) and Ross
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
(June 12) After several days of rain and wet grounds, Southern League play resumed in a game that saw the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers build up a 5 - 1 lead and then hold on for a 6 - 5 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. Orval Verpe, with superb relief help from George Roy, registered his first win of the young Southern League season while the Coalers slapped loser Hap L'Heureux around for 12 hits. Catcher Roland Jalbert, playing his first game of the season for the twin-towners, went 3 for 4 to pace the winners at the plate. Jim Quinn, Lloyd Lawrence and Dale Wetsch each had a brace of safeties for the Miners while Tim Daley and Johnny Faford each banged out a pair for the collegians, one of Daley's being a home run.
L'Heureux (L) and Ross
Verpe (W), Roy (7) and Jalbert
(June 13) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers zoomed into second place in the Southern League by edging the Regina Royal Caps 6 - 5. The Coalers utilized a sudden shower to wrap up the victory over the Queen City squad. With the score knotted at 8 - 8 in the bottom of the 7th, the heavy rains came and the count reverted to the six inning total. Hugo Dombowsky, who relieved starter Dale Abbott in the 3rd, was the winner while Ed Heidt went all the way for the Reginans in taking the loss. Lloyd Lawrence of the twin-towners belted a three-run homer and a double to pace all swatters.
Heidt (L) and Lysack
Abbott, Dombowsky (W) (3) and Enmark
(June 14) After losing their first four Southern League starts, the Weyburn Beavers collected their second straight victory, a 10 - 9 decision over the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers. Errors played a major factor in the game as the Coalers out-fumbled Weyburn 10 - 7 but outhit the visitors 13 - 8. Southpaw Dave Hoff went the full distance to chalk up his second league triumph. Hugo Dombowsky, in relief of starter Gary McKechney, was tagged with the defeat. Jack Shupe, Les Wilder and George Knox each clubbed two hits to pace the Weyburn batters while Ralph Beattie, Hank Dornstauder, Bill Quinn and Walt Becker, all with a duo, were the top guns for the Miners.
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
G. McKechney, Dombowsky (L) (5) and Enmark, Jackson (9)
(June 15) Five first-inning runs by the visiting Assiniboia Aces proved to be more than enough as they battled on even terms the rest of the way with the Regina Red Sox to post a 7 - 2 decision. Loser George McFadyen was sent to the showers during the 1st inning uprising by the Aces which proved to be money-in-the-bank for veteran Lefty Erfle who tossed a nifty six-hitter at the Crimson Hose to get credit for the win. Erfle, his brother Rube, Gord Skjerven and Nick Lawrick paced the Assiniboia 10-hit attack with a pair each. Ken Mohr was the only Sox player with two hits.
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
McFadyen (L), Leverick (1) and Turner
(June 15) The Regina Royal Caps found the win column again when they edged the Weyburn Beavers 2 - 0 in what was probably the finest ball game of the young Southern League season. Portsider Lloyd Woolley gave up a mere four hits in picking up the shutout win. Both Royal Cap runs were unearned, the first off loser Gayle Shupe in the opening frame and the other in the 8th off reliever Keith Covert. Bun Smith and Vic Wall shared batting honors for the night, each hitting 2 for 4.
L. Woolley (W) and Lysack
G. Shupe (L), Covert (6) and O'Brien
Southern League standings as of June 16
Moose Jaw Lakers 3 - 0 1.000
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 3 - 2 .600
Regina Royal Caps 4 - 3 .571
Assiniboia Aces 2 - 2 .500
Avonlea Arrows 1 - 1 .500
Notre Dame Hounds 2 - 3 .400
Regina Red Sox 2 - 3 .400
Weyburn Beavers 2 - 5 .286
(June 18) Ed Heidt and Bun Smith shared the hero's mantle as the Regina Royal Caps rallied for four runs in the 8th inning to score a 7 - 5 decision over the Notre Dame Hounds. Heidt hurled sparkling ball in relief to get credit for the win while Smith smashed a two-out, two-run double in the 8th to drive home the winning markers for the Royal Caps. Hap L'Heureux, who took over pitching duties from Hounds' starter Phil Resch in the 4th, was the loser. Vic Wall, Smith and Doug Hingley all had two hits for the winners, one of Wall's being a triple. Frank Germann was the only Hound to knock out a brace.
Resch, L'Heureux (L) (4) and Ross
Harrison, Heidt (W) (5) and Lysack, Thompson (5)
(June 18) The Weyburn Beavers emerged from the basement position in the Southern League when they edged the Regina Red Sox 5 - 4 in an error-studded game. Tied at four in the 7th, the Beavers scored the game winner when Jim Burge singled, was sacrificed to second by Bill Garner and scored on winning pitcher Dave Hoff's base hit off loser Tom Leverick. Batting honors went to Burge who hit 3 for 4 while Blaine Shupe had a 2 for 4 night.
Richardson, Leverick (L) (5) and Turner
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
(June 19) The Moose Jaw Lakers won their fourth in a row by virtue of a 5 - 2 triumph over the Arrows at Avonlea. Mel Hennenfent smashed a triple and two singles in four trips to the plate to pace the 9-hit Moose Jaw attack off loser Gordon Campbell. Baldy Smith and Ralph Peterson added a pair of safeties apiece for the Lakers. George Ardelan belted a double and single for the Arrows while Archie Sanderson had two singles off the slants of winning pitcher Bob Bell and reliever Wally Blaisdell.
Bell (W), Blaisdell (6) and Peterson
Gordon Campbell (L) and Morrison
(June 20) The Assiniboia Aces edged the Regina Red Sox 9 - 8 to move into third place in the Southern League. Winning pitcher Albert "Lefty" Erfle, with relief help from Gord Skjerven, got the win over the Red Sox' Hank Mitchell. Skjerven slammed a grand-slam home run for the winners. Ken McEachern had a two-run blast for the Redlegs. Bob Turner of the Crimson Hose had four singles while teammate McEachern had two singles on top of his circuit blast. Skjerven also had a single for the Aces. Oscar Hanson pitched in with a 2 for 4 game for Assiniboia.
Mitchell (L), Mitchelmore (5) and Turner
A. Erfle (W), Skjerven (8) and Waterton
(June 20) The Regina Royal Caps dropped to fourth place in the Southern League after falling to the Notre Dame Hounds 3 - 1. Phil Resch picked up the win out-dueling loser Vic Wall and reliever Ed Heidt.
Wall (L), Heidt and xxxx
Resch (W) and xxxx
(June 20) The Moose Jaw Lakers suffered their first Southern League loss as the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers narrowly squeaked by them 2 - 1. Hugo Dombowsky pitched a five-hitter to best the Lakers' Jack Devine. The twin-towners scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th when Frank John singled, stole second and scored after an infield error on a hard slide at home plate which knocked the ball from the hand of catcher Ralph Peterson. John and Murray Smail of the Lakers were the game's batting leaders, each with two singles in four trips.
Devine (L) and Peterson
Dombowsky (W) and Jackson
Standings as of the end of June 20
Moose Jaw Lakers 4 - 1 .800
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 4 - 2 .667
Assiniboia Aces 3 - 2 .600
Regina Royal Caps 5 - 4 .555
Notre Dame Hounds 3 - 4 .428
Weyburn Beavers 3 - 5 .375
Avonlea Arrows 1 - 2 .333
Regina Red Sox 2 - 5 .286
(June 21) The Regina Royal Caps maintained their mastery over the Weyburn Beavers when they beat the Soo-Liners 10 - 4 in a Southern League contest. Lefty Lloyd Woolley went all the way for Regina to get the win, surrendering eight hits and fanning six. Dave Hoff was the loser. Batting honors for the contest went to Royal Caps' catcher Morris McNabb who went 3 for 5. Other Regina batters of note were Don Woolley who had a 2 for 4 game and Bun Smith who went 2 for 5. Doug Shupe was the top Weyburn batsman hitting 2 for 5. Bill Garner of the Beavers had an inside-the-park home run.
Hoff (L) and O'Brien
L. Woolley (W) and McNabb
(June 22) The Moose Jaw Lakers consolidated their hold on top spot in the Southern League when they turned back the Weyburn Beavers 11 - 7. Moose Jaw took an early 9 - 0 lead and coasted to the win behind chucker Wally Blaisdell. Gayle Shupe took the loss. Blaisdell was the heaviest hitter of the night with 2 for 4 including a three bagger. Bob Chapman of the Lakers went 2 for 5. Three batters shared hitting honors for Weyburn. Doug Shupe went 2 for 3 while Jim Burge and Dan O'Brien each hit 2 for 5.
Blaisdell (W) and Heinrich
G. Shupe (L) and O'Brien
(June 22) The defending Southern League champion Regina Red Sox were mired deeper in the cellar after dropping an 8 - 5 decision to the Notre Dame Hounds. Reliable Lionel L'Heureux, the third pitcher to put in an appearance for the Dogs, got credit for the win holding the Red Sox scoreless in the final three frames. Don Mitchelmore lasted only into the 2nd and was tagged with the loss. Ken Mohr of the Red Sox was the game's top hitter with a double and two singles while teammate Ed Prosofsky had a triple and single. Ed Magis paced Notre Dame with a double and single.
Kiel, Steele (4), L'Heureux (W) and Ross
Mitchelmore (L), Leverick (2) and Turner
(June 22) The Avonlea Arrows walloped the Regina Royal Caps 13 - 3, exploding for 11 runs in the 5th on six hits and seven Royal Cap miscues. Elmer Tysdal was nicked for 11 scattered safeties in posting the win over Lefty Harrison. Jim Kirkpatrick sparked the Aces' 15-hit barrage with a triple and two singles. Garnet and Gord Campbell, Larry Smukowich and Dwight Morrison all rapped out a pair of safeties for the winners. Don Woolley hit three singles in five trips for the Royal Caps.
Harrison (L) and McNabb
Tysdal (W) and Morrison
(June 23) The Weyburn Beavers broke out their big bats and clubbed the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers into submission with a devastating 23 - 6 beating. Four Coaler hurlers gave up 20 hits in the onslaught as the Beavers' Keith Covert cruised to victory. Starter Hugo Dombowsky of the Miners was nailed with the loss. Dan O'Brien and Jack Shupe each collected four hits for Weyburn. Les Wilder of the Beavers contributed a trio of base knocks. Frank John was the Coalers' top hitter going 4 for 4 while Walt Becker and Ron McKechney each had two hits.
Covert (W) and O'Brien
Dombowsky (L), Roy (2), G. McKechney (5), Verpe (6) and Jalbert, Jackson (2)
(June 24) The Regina Royal Caps vaulted from fourth into second spot in Southern League standings when Vic Wall out-dueled fellow southpaw Albert Erfle in hurling them to a 4 - 1 triumph over the Assiniboia Aces. The three run differential could be chalked up as being the result of five Assiniboia errors compared to two for the Regina contingent as each team plated only one earned run. Aces' catcher Reg Waterton and Royal Caps' shortstop Bun Smith were the only batters to collect two hits.
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
Wall (W) and McNabb
(June 24) The Regina Red Sox came apart at the seams in the 9th inning when they committed four errors permitting the Moose Jaw Lakers to come from behind and plate three runs for a 9 - 8 decision. The win consolidated the Lakers hold on the top rung of the circuit. The defending champion Red Sox are in the basement. The Reginans started out strongly, knocking Moose Jaw starter Dave White from the hill with six runs in the 2nd frame. Jack Devine went the rest of the way to get credit for the win. Hank Mitchell, in relief of starter Frank Booth, took the loss. Red Sox' Owen Gillstrom was the game's leading hitter with three safeties in four trips. Ralph Peterson clubbed a three-run homer for the Lakers in the 4th.
Booth, Mitchell (L) (2) and Manz
White, J. Devine (W) (2) and Peterson
(June 25) The Weyburn Beavers suffered their eighth loss in 12 Southern League games as the Notre Dame Hounds came to town and walked away with a 4 - 1 victory. The Beavers out-hit the Dogs 9 - 7 but failed to come through with runners in scoring position, leaving a total of 11 stranded. Lionel "Hap" L'Heureux went the distance for the Hounds to gain credit for the win. Dave Hoff hurled for Weyburn but his defense let him down regularly, committing seven errors. Notre Dame's Ed Bearss and Weyburn's Jim Burge were the heavy hitters of the night going 3 for 4.
L'Heureux (W) and Ross
Hoff (L) and O'Brien
(June 25) The Regina Red Sox, defending Southern League rulers, cracked a five-game losing streak by defeating the Avonlea Arrows 11 - 5 with the help of a seven run splurge in the 8th inning. Right-hander Tommy Leverick went the route for the Crimson Hose, striking out 8, to pick up the win. The defeat was hung on the shoulders of middle reliever Jim Kirkpatrick. Ken Mohr collected three hits for the Sox while Leverick and Ed Prosofsky each had a pair. John Erdelyan was the Arrows' top batter with two hits. Avonlea's Archie Sanderson lit up Leverick for a two-run homer.
Gordon Campbell, Kirkpatrick (L) (7), Gordon Campbell (8) and Smith
Leverick (W) and Manz
(June 27) The Moose Jaw Lakers stretched their solid hold on first place by squeezing out an 8 - 7 triumph over the Avonlea Arrows. The league leaders overcame an early 4 - 0 deficit by scoring five times in the 4th inning and never trailed after that. Bob "Bones" Yeomans, the second of four Moose Jaw pitchers, was the winner while Garnet Campbell, in relief of Elmer Tysdal, took the loss. Mel Hennenfent, Ralph Peterson and Bob Chapman each had two hits and Bill Hennenfent homered to spark the Lakers' 10 hit attack. For the Arrows, Archie Sanderson connected for a double and single while catcher Dwight Morrison contributed a brace of singles.
Tysdal, Garnet Campbell (L) (5) and Morrison
Blaisdell, Yeomans (W) (1), Bell (9), J. Devine (9) and Peterson
(June 27) The Regina Red Sox and Estevan-Bienfait Coalers split the spoils in a doubleheader with the Coalers taking a protested 7 - 6 decision in the matinee while the Sox bounced back to take the nightcap 6 - 2. In the first game , a 7 inning encounter, Red Sox catcher Al Mantz was charged with interference in the 6th frame, a decision which fostered the protest and enabled the Coalers to score their sixth run. Orval Verpe, with bullpen help from Hugo Dombowsky in the final inning, picked up the win. Wes Richardson was lit up for the loss. Redlegs' Ed Prosofsky hit a three-run homer in the 1st.
Richardson (L), Leverick (5) and Manz
Verpe (W), Dombowsky (7) and Jalbert
Errors killed the Coalers in the second tilt and dampened the pitching effort of the twin-towner's Ron McKechney making his first start of the season. Tommy Leverick hurled a four-hitter to register the win. The Red Sox scored five times in the 7th inning to salt away the victory, the big blow being a bases-loaded single by Owen Gillstrom which plated three tallies.
Leverick (W) and Manz
R. McKechney (L), Dombowsky (7) and Jackson
(June 27) Veteran Ralph Hogg, un-retired for the umpteenth season, made his first start a successful one as the Weyburn Beavers rolled past the Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 1. Hogg and youngster Phil Resch of the Hounds each gave up only four hits in this game. The Beavers scored all three of their runs in the 3rd inning when Resch temporarily faltered.
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
Resch (L) and Ross
(June 27) At Assiniboia, winning pitcher Gord Skjerven sparked the Aces into second place in the Southern League as they defeated the Regina Royal Caps 6 - 4. Skjerven scattered 8 hits in his complete game win and aided his own cause by stroking a double and single. Oscar Hanson and Rube Erfle also had two hits for Assiniboia. Lloyd Woolley was stung with the loss as the Aces exploded for six runs in the 2nd inning. The Woolley brothers, Don and Lloyd, each walloped a triple and single for the Royal Caps while teammate Ed Heidt had a bases-empty home run.
L. Woolley (L), Heidt (2) and Lysack
Skjerven (W) and Waterton
(June 28) The Assiniboia Aces held the front-running Moose Jaw Lakers to a 6 - 6 draw after blowing an early 5 - 0 margin and then scratching back to score the tying marker in the 8th. Aces' outfielder Oscar Hanson clouted a three-bagger to score George Ciocia with that crucial tally. Lefty Erfle held the Lakers to six hits as his mates slammed two Moose Jaw hurlers for 14 base blows.. Erfle aided his own cause with a double and two singles to pace the Assiniboia offense. Left fielder Murray Smail led the Lakers at the dish with a three-run triple and a single.
A. Erfle and Waterton
J. Devine, White (6) and Peterson
(June 30) Rookie right-hander Norm Logan turned in an effective eight-hit mound chore as the Assiniboia Aces tripped up the league leading Moose Jaw Lakers 10 - 8. The win pushed the second place Aces to within 1 1/2 games of the Lakers. Wally Blaisdell surrendered 8 runs in three innings of work for Moose Jaw and took the loss. Shortstop Rube Erfle and Logan led the Aces 15-hit barrage each collecting three safeties. Reg Waterton and George Ciocia chipped in with a pair each. Ralph Peterson had three hits for the Lakers. Ray Nutzhorn had a bases empty round tripper for the Lakers.
Blaisdell (L), Chadwick (4) and Peterson
Logan (W) and Waterton
(July 2) Backed by the steady hurling of veteran Jack Devine, the Moose Jaw Lakers extended their Southern League lead to two full games by trouncing the Regina Royal Caps 7 - 1. Devine throttled the Royal Caps giving up only four hits while striking out 9. The Lakers collected 16 base knocks off two Regina southpaws, loser Cliff Harrison and Lloyd Woolley. Second baseman Bob Chapman enjoyed a big evening at bat clouting three doubles. Catcher Ralph Peterson also had three hits while Ray Nutzhorn had two, both doubles.
Harrison (L), L. Woolley (6) and McNabb
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
(July 3) The Regina Red Sox scored four unearned runs, their entire offensive production, and hung on to defeat the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 4 - 3. On the long end of a 3 - 1 count after 7 innings, the boys from the coal valley fell apart defensively in the 8th as the Red Sox stole the victory from Hank Dornstauder. Winning chucker Tommy Leverick and Dornstauder both gave up only five hits in their complete game stints. Lloyd Lawrence of the Coalers and Owen Gillstrom of the Sox led their respective clubs with two hits. Dornstauder had a triple for the twin-towners.
Dornstauder (L) and Jalbert
Leverick (W) and Turner
(July 4) The Notre Dame Hounds defeated the Avonlea Arrows 4 - 2 in a game which featured a great relief performance by the Hounds' Hap L'Heureux. The Dogs' stalwart chucker took over from rookie Phil Resch with one out and the potential tying runs on base in the 9th and promptly retired the final two batters. Resch was credited with his first victory of the year while Elmer Tysdal was rung up with the defeat.
Tysdal (L) and Morrison
Resch (W), L'Heureux (9) and Ross
(July 4) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers scored an unearned run in the 10th inning of the second game of a double dip to win 5 - 4 and salvage a split with the Assiniboia Aces. Earlier, the Aces triumphed 8 - 7 in the first half of the day's proceedings. Assiniboia plated all 8 runs in the 2nd inning of the opener and never looked back. Archie Skarbon, with bullpen help from Lefty Erfle, picked up the win while loser Ken Triplett was knocked out in the fateful second frame although returning for two additional innings of work in the 3rd. Lorne Shanks had a home run for Assiniboia.
Skarbon (W), A. Erfle (9) and Drescher, Waterton (6)
Triplett (L), G. McKechney (2), Triplett (3), Roy (5) and Enmark, Jalbert (6)
The second game saw Orval Verpe go the distance and pick up the win in the extra frame when Walt Becker had an infield hit off loser Lefty Erfle and eventually scored the winner following three Assiniboia miscues.
Skjerven, A. Erfle (L) (4) and Waterton
Verpe (W) and Jackson
(July 5) The Southern League battle for third place remained pat after the Regina Royal Caps brought out their extra-base hitters to gain a 6 - 6 saw off with the Notre Dame Hounds. Darkness brought the game to a halt after 9 innings. Each team used two pitchers while garnering 9 hits but the Royal Caps saved most of their blows for the right moment. The Reginans had four triples, one each by Vic Wall, Ed Heidt, Doug Hingley and Lou Lysack. Tim Daley and Johnny Ross each had three singles for Notre Dame. Heidt's two hits led the Royal Caps.
Kiel, Faford (6) and Ross
Wall, Heidt (8) and McNabb
(July 6) The hot-and-cold Weyburn Beavers blew hot when they trounced the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 14 - 5. It was the third time in four meetings this season that the Beavers had beaten the Coalers. Usually a slow starting outfit, the Beavers jumped on the Coalers' pitching for five runs in the 1st inning and never looked back. Keith Covert went the distance for Weyburn, giving up 10 hits and fanning 10. Dale Abbott was belted off the hill in the initial frame barrage and suffered the loss. Jim Burge of the Beavers was the leading hitter in this tussle, going 3 for 5 including a home run and double.
Abbott (L), G. McKechney (1) and Jackson, Jalbert (5)
Covert (W) and O'Brien
(July 7) Ralph Hogg picked up his second straight win with an eight-hitter in guiding the Weyburn Beavers to a 6 - 3 win over the Regina Red Sox. Big Wes Richardson went all the way for the Redlegs, giving up 7 hits in taking the loss. Jim Burge, Jack Shupe and Dave Hoff all had two hits for Weyburn while Hank Mitchell of the Sox also had a brace.
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
Richardson (L) and Turner
Southern League standings as of July 8
Moose Jaw Lakers 8 - 2 .800
Assiniboia Aces 6 - 4 .600
Notre Dame Hounds 6 - 5 .544
Regina Royal Caps 7 - 7 .500
Weyburn Beavers 7 - 8 .486
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 6 - 7 .462
Regina Red Sox 5 - 9 .357
Avonlea Arrows 2 - 5 .285
(July 10) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers clouted 12 hits off three Regina pitchers including loser Guy Blondeau and destroyed the Royal Caps 18 - 4. Orval Verpe spaced 8 hits in picking up the easy win. Ron McKechney had three hits for the Miners while Hank Dornstauder, Ralph Beattie and Gary McKechney each had a pair. Lloyd Woolley gave Verpe the most trouble, collecting three hits including an 8th inning homer.
Blondeau (L), Vogt (2), Prosofsky (6) and D. Woolley
Verpe (W) and Jackson, Enmark (7)
(July 10) The Avonlea Arrows bowed to the Regina Red Sox 8 - 2 in a game wherein both starters Hank Mitchell of the Sox and Don Forer of the Arrows went the distance. Mitchell allowed four Avonlea hits while the Red Sox lit up Forer for 9 safe blows.
Mitchell (W) and xxxx
Forer (L) and xxxx
(July 10) The Moose Jaw Lakers struck for four 1st inning runs to aid winning chucker Dave White's effort in besting the Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 3. White struck out 11 in going the distance. His biggest threat was Hounds' outfielder Ed Magis who torched him for a triple and three singles in 5 trips while first sacker Bob Donald also had his number, pasting a double and two singles. Don Kiel, who had relief assistance from Phil Resch, was nailed with the loss. Ray Nutzhorn and Bob Chapman each had a brace of safeties for Moose Jaw.
Kiel (L), Resch (4) and McDonald
White (W) and Peterson
(July 11) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers dropped the Avonlea Arrows further into the Southern League cellar by hammering them 10 - 6. The twin-towners took advantage of six errors in handing Walt Buttgereit the loss. Hank Dornstauder, who took over from starter George Roy in the 6th, was the winner. Buttgereit kept the Arrows in the game by pounding out a pair of home runs, both bases-empty shots.
McKellar, Buttgereit (L) (1) and Morrison
Roy, Dornstauder (W) (6) and Enmark
(July 11) The Notre Dame Hounds lost for the second time this week-end, dropping a 5 - 1 decision to the Assiniboia Aces. Paul Pearson, making his initial mound appearance for the Aces struck out six, didn't issue a walk and scattered 8 hits in taking the decision over the Hounds' Lionel L'Heureux. Catcher Reg Waterton and first baseman Jim White each had three hits for Assiniboia while rookie Ed Bearss had a trio for the Dogs.
Pearson (W) and Waterton
L'Heureux (L) and McDonald
(July 12) The Weyburn Beavers continued their climb up the Southern League standings as they tripped up the second place Assiniboia Aces 6 - 2 for their fourth straight victory. Gayle Shupe twirled seven-hit ball to give the Beavers their timely win. Weyburn tagged loser Lefty Erfle for only 8 hits but five went for extra bases and inflicted most of the damage. Bill "Baldy" Garner, Jim Burge and Blaine Shupe each hit safely twice for the Beavers while Lorne Shanks and George Ciocia did likewise for Assiniboia.
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(July 12) The two Regina clubs, the Red Sox and Royal Caps, battled to a 5 - 5 draw in a contest called after 10 innings because of darkness. Ken McEachern, who entered the game as a pinch hitter and reached first base after being plunked by a pitched ball, stole home with two out in the 8th inning to salvage a draw for the Red Sox. Tommy Leverick went the route for the Red Stockings, allowing 9 hits, issuing four walks and striking out 8. The tandem of Al Vogt and Lloyd Woolley worked on the hill for the Royal Caps giving up only five hits, three of which Leverick garnered. However, bases on balls and an untimely error by Woolley spelled their downfall. Don Woolley and Morris McNabb each had two hits for the Royal Caps.
Leverick and Manz
Vogt, L. Woolley (3) and McNabb
(July 13) The Estevan-Bienfait Coalers scored five times in the 10th inning to trip the last-place Avonlea Arrows 10 - 5 and move into sole possession of third place in the Southern League. The Miners had an uphill battle all the way. They trailed 3 - 0 after four innings and 5 - 3 after seven. A costly error, with two out in the 9th, enabled them to tie the score. Loser Gordon Campbell surrendered only two earned runs in nine innings, both being bases-empty home runs, one each by Hank Dornstauder and Lloyd Lawrence. However in the 10th, the roof fell in as the Coalers collected 5 of their 11 hits. Orval Verpe got credit for his second straight win. Ralph Beattie, Dornstauder and Lawrence each had a trio of hits for the twin-towners while Campbell and Paul Melin both stroked out a brace for the Arrows.
Verpe (W) and Jackson
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smukowich
(July 15) Two injured Regina Red Sox players are one - two in the Southern League batting race. Infielder Ken Mohr who has been sidelined for the balance of the season holds the batting lead with a lusty .458 average. In second spot is outfielder Owen Gillstrom who is hitting .409. Gillstrom is out of the line-up temporarily and it is not yet known when he will return.
Top 12 hitters
Ken Mohr - Regina Red Sox 11 - 24 .458
Owen Gillstrom - Regina Red Sox 9 - 22 .409
Les Wilder - Weyburn Beavers 12 - 31 .387
Gord Skjerven - Assiniboia Aces 14 - 37 .379
Don Woolley - Regina Royal Caps 26 - 69 .375
Ralph Peterson - Moose Jaw Lakers 13 - 35 .371
Bun Smith - Regina Royal Caps 10 - 27 .370
Frank Germann - Notre Dame Hounds 12 - 33 .364
Bob Chapman - Moose Jaw Lakers 14 - 41 .341
Jim Burge - Weyburn Beavers 18 - 53 .339
Hank Dornstauder - Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 17 - 51 .333
Frank John - Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 11 - 33 .333
2 Base Hits - Jack Shupe, Weyburn Beavers - 7
3 Base Hits - Ed Prosofsky, Regina Red Sox; Vic Wall, Regina Royal Caps - tied with 3
Home Runs - Walt Buttgereit, Avonlea Arrows, Hank Dornstauder, Estevan-Bienfait Coalers and Lloyd Lawrence, Estevan-Bienfait Coalers - all with 2
Pitching Leaders
Orval Verpe - Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 4 - 0 1.000
Ralph Hogg - Weyburn Beavers 2 - 0 1.000
Dave White - Moose Jaw Lakers 2 - 0 1.000
Lloyd Woolley - Regina Royal Caps 4 - 1 .800
Jack Devine - Moose Jaw Lakers 3 - 1 .750
Tom Leverick - Regina Red Sox 4 - 2 .667
Most Wins - Lionel L'Heureux - Notre Dame Hounds - 5
Most Losses - L'Heureux - 4
(July 16) The Regina Royal Caps clipped the Assiniboia Aces 9 - 2 to trim the Aces' hold on second place to half a game over the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers. Utility man Ed Heidt took to the mound for the Royal Caps and went the route to earn his second victory in four pitching decisions. Lefty Erfle never recovered from a Regina four run 1st inning outburst and was tabbed with his third defeat. Doug Hingley, Paul Sembaliuk and Heidt each had two hits for the Royal Caps, including triples by Heidt and Sembaliuk. Ed Tendler led the visiting Aces with a triple and single in three at-bats,
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
Heidt (W) and McNabb
(July 16) Scoring four times in each of the 4th and 7th innings, the Moose Jaw Lakers snapped Weyburn's four game winning streak and extended their own lead in the Southern League to 3 1/2 games by edging the Beavers 9 - 7. Moose Jaw's 11 hit attack sent Keith Covert down to his second defeat. Wally Blaisdell, the second of three Lakers' hurlers, won his third decision of the year. Jack Shupe hit a two-run homer for the Beavers. Blaisdell had a two -run triple for Moose Jaw.
Covert (L) , Hoff (5) and O'Brien
Yeomans, Blaisdell (W) (4), Nutzhorn (9) and Peterson
(July 17) The Regina Red Sox pulled out a thrilling 7 - 6 win over their city rivals, the Regina Royal Caps, in the latest segment of the battle of Regina. Ken McEachern's bases loaded double in the last of the 9th enabled the Red Sockers to plate the tying and winning markers. Tommy Leverick was the winner while Lloyd Woolley took the loss although McEachern's timely blow came off fireman Ed Heidt.
L. Woolley (L), Heidt (9) and McNabb
Mitchell, Leverick (W) (7) and Manz
(July 18) At Wilcox, the Notre Dame Hounds and Moose Jaw Lakers split a twin bill with the collegians taking the initial contest 10 - 4 while the league-leaders came back to dump the Dogs 10 - 6 in the finale. Hugo Dombowsky, who started the season with the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers, made his return to his alma mater a successful one by holding the mighty Moose Jaw squad to 8 hits in the opener. The Hounds 13 hit attack against loser Wally Blaisdell and reliever Jack Devine provided Dombowsky with the offensive production he needed.
Blaisdell (L), J. Devine (2) and Peterson
Dombowsky (W) and Ross
Ray Nutzhorn survived the Hounds' 15 hit onslaught in the second encounter to get Moose Jaw their split. Hap L'Heureux was the victim of Moose Jaw's 12 hit attack and suffered the loss. Bill Hennenfent, with a homer and double, and Don Devine with three hits, paced the Lakers' hitters. Tim Daley, Nick Metz and L'Heureux each had three hits for the Hounds.
Nutzhorn (W) and Peterson
L'Heureux (L), Steele (8) and Ross
(July 18) Gordon Campbell bested three Assiniboia pitchers to drop the Aces and give the Avonlea Arrows a 6 - 4 win, only their third triumph of the season. The loss for Assiniboia dropped them out of sole possession of second place in the Southern League. Normie Logan was charged with the loss.
Logan (L), xxxx, xxxx and xxxx
Gordon Campbell (W) and xxxx
(July 18) In a replay of a protested game, the Regina Red Sox took the measure of the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 10 - 8. The Red Sox blew an 8 - 0 lead in this one but finally won out by pushing across single runs in the 8th and 9th innings. Hank Mitchell was the victor while Orval Verpe was tagged with his first defeat of the campaign. Al Manz scored the winning run when, after being hit by a pitch and stealing second base, he came all the way around to score on a finely executed bunt by Art Belick. Shortstop Sammy Goodhue added a 9th inning insurance tally with a home run. Dale Wetsch had a superlative day at the plate for the valley boys, going a perfect 4 for 4 including a three-run inside-the-park homer.
Leverick, Mitchell (W) (6) and Manz
Dornstauder, Verpe (L) (3) and Jackson
(July 19) The Moose Jaw Lakers moved 4 1/2 games in front of the others in the Southern League pack by downing the lackadaisical Regina Red Sox 5 - 2. The Redlegs, shaken by injuries, showed little of the drive that earned them the league championship last season. With three of their top stars in limbo with injuries, the Sox didn't come close to making it a battle against the Lakers. Catcher Al Manz saved the Sox from a whitewashing by clouting a two-run inside-the-park home run. Ray Nutzhorn, the third Moose Jaw hurler, was credited with the win. Frank Booth was the loser. Lakers' outfielder Don Devine was the only player to get more than one hit and he had quite a night, banging out two doubles, a triple and a single in five trips.
Yeomans, Bell (5), Nutzhorn (W) (6) and Peterson
Booth (L), Richardson (4) and Manz
(July 19) The Notre Dame Hounds staved off a 9th inning rally to defeat the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 7 - 6. The win shot the Hounds from seventh spot to a tie for second place with the Assiniboia Aces. The big difference in this game was a four-run uprising by the Dogs in the 4th which was ignited by Cy McDonald's inside-the-park round-tripper. The Hounds never relinquished the lead after that. Rookie Phil Resch got the win for Notre Dame but needed bullpen help from Lionel L'Heureux. George Roy was charged with the loss.
Roy (L), Verpe (6) and Jackson
Resch (W), L'Heureux (7) and Ross
(July 20) The touring Texas Jasper Steers, filling in at the last moment for the Saskatchewan League's Indian Head Rockets in an exhibition encounter in Regina, easily defeated a select team of players from the Southern League's Regina Royal Caps and Red Sox 8 - 1. The hosts found the southpaw slants of the Steers' hurler Alvin Jackson a trifle mystifying as he set the Reginans down on three meagre hits while fanning 13. Jackson didn't yield a safe blow until the 6th frame when Bunny Smith beat out an infield roller. The first solid blow off Jackson came in the 8th when Tommy Leverick tripled after two were out. Smith followed up with a sharp single to plate Leverick with the sole tally for the Queen City Combines. While the Reginans were frustrated at the plate, the Steers rapped out 12 safeties off the offerings of two chuckers, loser Lloyd Woolley and Leverick. Roy Williams, who performed with the Regina Caps of the Saskatchewan League last summer, led the way with a bases-empty homer in the 5th and a triple in the 7th. Ray Lacey also enjoyed a fine outing with a double and two singles in five trips. Charlie Nichols was next in line with a double and single in five attempts, driving in three runs. Jackson and shortstop John Henry Jones accounted for the other extra-base blows, both lacing two-baggers.
Jackson (W) and Williams
L. Woolley (L), Leverick (6) and McNabb, Manz (7)
(July 21) The Assiniboia Aces provided some breathing room for themselves in second place in the Southern League by knocking off the Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 4. The Aces scored twice in the bottom of the 8th to seal the victory for Ed Tendler in his relief role. Hugo Dombowsky went the route for Notre Dame and absorbed the setback. Shortstop Rube Erfle of Assiniboia and second baseman Ed McNiven of the Hounds had the only extra base hits of the game, both doubles, amongst their three hit totals. Tim Daley and Ed Magis had a pair apiece for the Collegians.
Dombowsky (L) and Ross
Pearson, Tendler (W) and Waterton
(July 22) The defending champion Regina Red Sox hit the .500 mark for the first time since early in the season by defeating the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 5 - 4. Although outhit 11 - 8 by the visitors from the coal valley, the Red Sox took advantage of opportunities presented to them in crucial situations. Tommy Leverick saved the win for Crimson Hose' starter Hank Mitchell while Orval Verpe was stung with his second defeat. The Miners' Nasie Schnell led all hitters with four singles. Owen Gillstrom and Ken McEachern each had two hits for the winners, as did Frank John and Hank Dornstauder of the twin-towners.
Verpe (L) and Jalbert
Mitchell (W), Leverick (7) and Manz
(July 22) The Assiniboia Aces improved their hold on second place in the Southern League by dumping the Notre Dame Hounds for the second consecutive night, this time by a 3 - 1 count. Pitcher Lefty Erfle was the whole show, allowing but five hits, striking out 10 and collecting two of the Aces' hits. Hap L'Heureux was tagged with the setback. He gave way to Hugo Dombowsky in the 7th after being struck in the shoulder by a line drive off the bat of Ron Lee.
L'Heureux (L), Dombowsky (7) and Ross
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
(July 23) On the basis of an impressive five-hit mound chore by Ed Heidt, the Regina Royal Caps downed the last-place Avonlea Arrows 6 - 2 and moved up to grab a share of third place in the Southern League. The loss for the Arrows killed any hopes they had of vacating the cellar. Gord Campbell, who pitched only the opening frame, was saddled with the loss. Bun Smith, Bill Kyle and Paul Sembaliuk all had two hits for the Royal Caps. Smith's total included a triple while that of Sembaliuk contained a double. Jim Kirkpatrick with two hits led the Arrows' batting parade.
Gord Campbell (L), Buttgereit (2) and Morrison
Heidt (W) and Lysack
Standings as of the end of July 23
Moose Jaw Lakers 12 - 3 .800
Assiniboia Aces 9 - 7 .562
Regina Red Sox 9 - 9 .500
Regina Royal Caps 9 - 9 .500
Weyburn Beavers 8 - 9 .471
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 8 - 10 .444
Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 10 .444
Avonlea Arrows 3 - 9 .250
(July 25) The Notre Dame Hounds, behind rookie Phil Resch's fine hurling, took the measure of the Regina Red Sox 6 - 4. Resch kept 9 hits well spaced and struck out 10 as he posted his 3rd win against a single setback. Workhorse Tommy Leverick, who has won four games, was charged with his third loss. Tim Daley, Dean Bell, Johnny Ross and Murray Huck each collected two of the Hounds' 11 hits. Al Manz, Ed Prosofsky, Art Belick and John Daniels did likewise for the Red Sockers.
Leverick (L), Mitchell (4) and Manz
Resch (W) and Ross
(July 25) Assiniboia's second place Aces gained a split of a Sunday doubleheader with the visiting Estevan-Bienfait Coalers, rebounding with a 5 - 3 triumph in the owl event after dropping the opener 11 - 7. A pinch-hit grand slam home run by Lloyd Lawrence proved to be the difference in the matinee as it propelled the twin-towners into a tie after falling behind early 6 - 0. Orval Verpe was the winning hurler. Paul Pearson, the second of three Aces' chuckers, was charged with the defeat.
Verpe (W), Roy (3) and Jalbert
Skjerven, Pearson (L) (5), A. Erfle (7) and Waterton
A five- hit chore by the Aces' Ernie Tendler beat Estevan-Bienfait and pitcher Jack Harbourne in the nightcap. George Ciocia's two-run single in the 8th drove in the winning and insurance runs for Assiniboia.
Harbourne (L) and Jalbert
Tendler (W), A. Erfle (9) and Waterton
(July 26) The Regina Red Sox sliced the Assiniboia Aces second place margin to a precarious 1/2 game by setting down the visitors 6 - 2. Wes Richardson's nifty four-hit pitching gave the Sox their first victory against Assiniboia this season. Four unearned runs off loser Paul Pearson in the 2nd inning made the job much easier for the big Regina right-hander. Owen Gillstrom had three RBI and three hits, including a double, for the winners. Al Manz and Ed Prosofsky kicked in with a pair of safeties. For the Aces, Oscar Hanson had a double and single and Gord Skjerven hit two singles.
Pearson (L), Skjerven (2) and Waterton
Richardson (W) and Manz
(July 27) The Weyburn Beavers blew a 10 - 6 lead in the final frame and had to settle for a 10 - 10 draw against the Moose Jaw Lakers in an 8 inning shortened game. Four home runs, including a grand slam clout by Weyburn's Jim Burge, featured the contest. Pitcher Dave White's 8th inning homer highlighted the Lakers' four run comeback. Bill Hennenfent had a two-run homer for Moose Jaw in the 5th. Dave Hoff hit a three-run circuit blast in the 5th for the Beavers. Mel Hennenfent was the evening's top hitter collecting four hits in five at-bats.
Bell, J. Devine (3), White (5) and Peterson
Hogg, G. Shupe (8) and O'Brien
(July 27) John Faford's RBI triple in the 9th inning salvaged a 1 - 1 tie for the Notre Dame Hounds with the Regina Royal Caps in a tightly contested Southern League pitcher's duel featuring himself and the Royal caps' Lefty Harrison. The game went 10 innings before darkness halted the proceedings. Faford gave up only three hits to six for Harrison in this tense pitching battle. Ed Magis of the Hounds was the only player on either team to register two hits.
Faford, Dombowsky (9), Resch (10) and Ross
Harrison and Lysack
(July 28) The Moose Jaw Lakers all but clinched first place in the Southern League by drubbing the Regina Red Sox 13 - 5. Teeing off on two hurlers for 16 hits, the Lakers put the game on ice early allowing grizzled veteran Elmer Torgerson to pitch without pressure. Mel Hennenfent blasted an inside-the-park home run in the 3rd and Bob Chapman laced out a two-run clout in the 4th to send loser Hank Mitchell to the showers. Murray Smail collected a triple and two singles for Moose Jaw. Art Belick with three singles, along with Denny Cochrane and Sam Goodhue's brace of base raps, topped the Regina hit parade.
Mitchell (L), Leverick (4) and Manz
Torgerson (W) and Peterson
(July 28) The Notre Dame Hounds went 12 innings against the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers and came away with another tie, their second in consecutive days, this time a 6 - 6 stalemate. Trailing 6 - 5 in the bottom of the 8th, the Dogs scored the equalizer when, after Murray Huck singled and swiped both second and third, he was squeezed home by Ed McNiven. That was the end of the scoring and three extra frames settled nothing. Hank Dornstauder had a two-run homer for the Miners as well as a double. Pitcher Gary McKechney had four singles in six trips. For Notre Dame, Frank Germann and first sacker Bobby Donald each had a double and single.
G. McKechney and Enmark
L'Heureux and Ross
(July 28) The Assiniboia Aces strengthened their hold on the runner-up spot in the Southern League by clipping the Weyburn Beavers 9 - 6. For the second straight day, the Beavers blew a healthy lead. Holding a 5 - 1 margin after five innings, Weyburn saw the Aces uncork four run splurges in the 6th and 7th frames to make Lefty Erfle the winner. Keith Covert, out of the bullpen in relief, was nicked with the setback. Rube Erfle sparked Assiniboia's 13 hit barrage by clouting two doubles and two singles in five trips. Reg Waterton of the Aces chipped in with three singles. George Knox had four hits for the Beavers.
Hoff, Covert (L) (6) and O'Brien
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
(July 29) The Moose Jaw Lakers, run-away leaders of the Southern League, jolted the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers' hopes of a playoff spot by handing the visitors a 9 - 7 defeat in an abbreviated game. Late arrival of the Coalers team and darkness restricted the game to five innings. Dave White, in relief of Bob Bell, picked up the win while Jack Harbourne was tagged with the loss.
Harbourne (L) and Jalbert
Bell, White (W) (1) and Peterson
(July 30) The Weyburn Beavers, behind the four-hit pitching of veteran Gayle Shupe, pounded out an 11 - 3 decision over the Regina Red Sox. Keith Covert sparked Weyburn's 12 hit attack off loser Tommy Leverick and reliever Hank Mitchell, banging out three base blows. Ed Prosofsky had two of the four Red Sox hits off Shupe who struck out eight.
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
Leverick (L), Mitchell (4) and Manz, Shaw (5)
(July 30) Jack Devine tossed a brilliant two-hitter as the Moose Jaw Lakers blanked the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 3 - 0. Only Gary McKechney and Dale Wetsch, with two hits apiece, were able to solve the mystery of Devine's slants as he out-hurled loser Orval Verpe. Ray Nutzhorn and Mel Hennenfent were the big hitters for the Lakers with three and two hits respectively.
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
Verpe (L), Roy (9) and Enmark
(July 31) The Regina Red Sox bolstered their bid for a playoff berth by blanking the second place Assiniboia Aces 3 - 0. The Redlegs got six-hit shutout pitching from Frank Booth who bested loser Gord Skjerven. Sam Goodhue and Art Belick of the Sox as well as Assiniboia's Wes Reader each had two hits.
Booth (W) and Manz
Skjerven (L) and Waterton
(August 1) The Weyburn Beavers scored five times in the 4th inning and never looked back as southpaw Dave Hoff led them to a 10 - 4 victory over the Avonlea Arrows. Gord Campbell was pounded for 10 hits in taking the setback. Jack Shupe had a home run for the Beavers.
Hoff (W) and O'Brien
Gord Campbell (L) and Morrison
(August 1) Scoring an unearned run in the 9th inning, the Moose Jaw Lakers won their 16th game of the season by dropping the Regina Royal Caps 7 - 6. Don Devine's single in the bottom of the 9th and a wild throw by third sacker Paul Sembaliuk produced the run that gave Wally Blaisdell the victory over loser Ed Heidt.
Wall, Harrison (1), Heidt (L) (6) and McNabb
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
(August 2) The Regina Royal Caps grabbed their first victory of the season against the front-running Moose Jaw Lakers by dropping the Mill City nine 6 - 4. The Lakers jumped into an early 4 - 0 lead only to see it evaporate by the end of the 6th. The Reginans plated two runs in the 8th to sew up the victory as pinch-hitter Joey Evenson drove in the winning and insurance runs with a single that sent Lakers' right-hander Dave White down to defeat. Ed Heidt, with 8 1/3 innings of strong relief was the winner. Heidt's three safeties topped all batters. Bun Smith and Don Woolley both had two hits for the winners.
White (L) and Peterson
L. Woolley, Heidt (W) (1) and McNabb
(August 3) The Weyburn Beavers climaxed a long climb from the depths of the Southern League basement by tripping the Assiniboia Aces 11 - 5 to move ahead of the Aces into second spot. Weyburn's Gayle Shupe was touched for 11 hits but was effective when it counted most in picking up the win. Lefty Erfle, the loser, was clubbed for 15 hits including a homer by Beavers' catcher Dan O'Brien. Keith Covert and Blaine Shupe each had three hits to pace the Beavers while Wes Reader, Reg Waterton and Rube Erfle connected twice for the Aces.
A. Erfle (L) and Drescher
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(August 3) The Regina Royal Caps and Moose Jaw Lakers battled to a 6 - 6 tie in a contest shortened to 8 innings because of darkness. Lefty Harrison started on the hill for the Royal Caps and kept the league-leaders well in check until the 7th inning when the Lakers erupted for four runs to overcome a 4 - 1 deficit. They increased their lead to a pair, scoring once more in the 8th, but then blew the decision by committing three errors in the bottom of the 8th and final frame. Jack Devine pitched into the final inning for Moose Jaw before relief help arrived. Jackie Fulton and Don Woolley of the Royal Caps and Bob Chapman of the Lakers all had three hits while Lou Lysack and Doug Hingley of the Reginans had a pair as did Moose Jaw's Devine brothers, Jack and Don.
J. Devine, Nutzhorn (8) and Peterson
Harrison, Heidt (8) and McNabb
(August 5) The Regina Red Sox and Weyburn Beavers kept their hopes alive for a Southern League playoff berth as they battled to a thrilling 3 - 3 draw in a game called after 9 innings when darkness enveloped the skies. Weyburn's Ralph Hogg and the Redlegs' Frank Booth tangled in a tight joust which saw the Red Sox score their trio in the 2nd while the Beavers did the same in the 5th. Both catchers, Al Manz of the Sox and Dan O'Brien of the Beavers drove home two of their respective team's three markers.
Hogg and O'Brien
Booth and Shaw, Manz (1)
(August 5) The Regina Royal Caps took a big stride in securing a Southern League playoff spot by clipping the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 6 - 5. The loss for the Coalers all but eliminated them from post-season action. Regina scored the winning run in the bottom of the 8th and final inning as Bun Smith crossed the plate when Don Woolley was called safe at first base on a disputed two-out infield roller. At this point, the game was called because of darkness. Both starting hurlers went the route with Ed Heidt winning the decision over the Coalers' Orval Verpe. Smith led all hitters with three safeties. Six players, Don Woolley and Lou Lysack of the Royal Caps, as well as Hank Dornstauder, Jim Quinn, Gary McKechney and Verpe of the valley boys, all had a brace of base raps.
Verpe (L) and Dornstauder
Heidt (W) and McNabb
(August 7) The Regina Red Sox dropped an 11 - 8 slugfest to their cross-town rivals, the Regina Royal Caps, a loss which lessened their chances of advancing to the playoffs. The Royal Caps pounded out 14 hits, including a bases-loaded triple by Bunny Smith, to hand Red Sox starter Tommy Leverick the beating. Lou Lysack also had a three bagger for the winners. Cliff "Lefty" Harrison got the mound decision. For the Royal Caps, Morris McNabb had a 3 for 3 performance while Lysack went 3 for 5. Best hitting output for the Red Sox was provided by Denny Cochrane who poled out three base blows.
Leverick (L), Booth (5) and Manz
Harrison (W), Heidt (6) and McNabb
(August 7) Hap L'Heureux scattered five hits as the Notre Dame Hounds scored five unearned runs to up-end the Avonlea Arrows 5 - 1 and end last place Avonlea's season on a losing note. Johnny Ross, Murray Huck and Ed McNiven each collected two of Notre Dame's eight hits off loser Gord Campbell. Lloyd Lee spoiled L'Heureux's shutout bid when he singled in the 8th to score Jim Kirkpatrick.
L'Heureux (W) and Ross
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smukowich
(August 8) The Regina Royal Caps dropped a 10 - 7 count to the Assiniboia Aces as Gord Skjerven of the Aces put an end to their four game unbeaten streak. The Aces built up a 10 - 2 cushion against lefty Lloyd Woolley and fireman Pete Prosofsky, making Woolley the victim of the pitching decision. Doug Hingley with a single and a pair of two baggers was the top Regina batter while Oscar Hanson and Lorne Shanks each had a double and single for Assiniboia.
L.Woolley (L), Prosofsky (5) and Lysack
Skjerven (W), A. Erfle (9) and Waterton
(August 8) The Regina Red Sox kept their fading hopes of playoff action alive by squeezing out an 8 - 7 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. The Sox kept the flame flickering by scoring twice in the top of the 9th and then staving off a Notre Dame comeback attempt in the bottom of the inning. Tommy Leverick, who went all the way for the victory, had to pull himself out of a big hole in the 9th as Nick Metz opened the frame with a solo homer, his second of the game, to cut the Red Sox' lead to a single run. With the potential tying and winning runs in scoring position, Leverick then rose to the occasion by retiring three straight, two by the strikeout route. Metz had two singles in addition to his two circuit clouts to take batting honors. Southpaw Hugo Dombowsky was charged with the loss. Sam Goodhue and Al Manz each collected three hits for the Redlegs.
Leverick (W) and Manz
Resch, Dombowsky (L) (7), L'Heureux (9) and Ross
(August 9) The Weyburn Beavers, hitting when it mattered most, grabbed a 1/2 game lead on the Southern League's second spot by scoring 8 runs in the final two frames to drop the Regina Red Sox 12 - 8. Keith Covert, the Beavers' veteran utility player, came up with a stellar relief chore to gain the triumph. Frank Booth, the victim of Weyburn's five run outburst in the 8th and final inning, was tagged with the defeat. Red Sox' starting pitcher Hank Mitchell's three-run homer put the Crimson Hose ahead at the end of six but they couldn't hold the margin in this contest that ended at the end of the 8th when darkness set in. Doug Shupe had three hits to pace the winners at the plate. Brothers Blaine and Jack Shupe both had a pair, one of Blaine's being a triple. Art Rennie and Mitchell each stroked a brace for the Sox.
Hoff, Covert (W) (6) and O'Brien
Mitchell, Booth (L) (8) and Manz
(August 10) Notre Dame's youthful Hounds vastly improved their odds of qualifying for the Southern League playoffs by pounding out a 9 - 1 verdict over the hometown Weyburn Beavers as southpaw Hugo Dombowsky uncorked a masterful six-hit pitching chore. The Hounds showed little respect for either Gayle Shupe, chasing the veteran Weyburn right-hander after he was touched for five runs in the initial inning, as well as the Beavers' other long-term chucker, Ralph Hogg, tagging him for four runs in the 4th. Johnny Faford with 3 for 4 and Hap L'Heureux with two hits were the top stickers for Notre Dame while Jack Shupe notched two safeties for Weyburn.
G. Shupe (L), Hogg (1) and O'Brien
Dombowsky (W) and Ross
(August 11) The Assiniboia Aces virtually assured themselves of taking part in the Southern League playoffs and at the same time, jolted Notre Dame's hopes, by posting a thrilling 4 - 2 victory over the Hounds, a win which lifted the Aces back into second place, Unfortunately for the Hounds, errors played a prominent part in Assiniboia's victory and marred a brilliant mound battle between the Aces' Lefty Erfle and Hap L'Heureux of Notre Dame. Rube Erfle and Lorne Shanks, each with two singles, sparked the Assiniboia offense. Shanks' two-run single in the 5th scored the winning runs for the Aces.
A. Erfle (W) and Waterton
L'Heureux (L) and Ross
(August 11) The Weyburn Beavers dropped into the precarious 4th position in the Southern League by bowing 10 - 5 to the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Lakers. In posting their 17th victory, the Lakers were out-hit 15 - 8 but cashed in on six Weyburn errors to run up their winning margin. Weyburn left 14 runners stranded against winner Dave White. Keith Covert was the victim of shoddy fielding and took the loss. Jack and Doug Shupe plus Dave Hoff all had three hits for the Beavers. Ralph Peterson was Moose Jaw's offensive bright light, connecting for two doubles.
Covert (L) and O'Brien
White (W) and Peterson
(August 12) The Weyburn Beavers scored all their runs in the 8th inning and walloped the Regina Royal Caps 8 - 3, a win which moved them into a 1/2 game lead ahead of the Reginans into third place. Portsider Dave Hoff went 8 innings to record the win. Loser Lloyd Woolley had a 3 - 0 lead entering the bottom of the 8th but blew a tire and was driven from the hill in favor of Lefty Harrison who failed to put out the fire in time. Les Wilder and Jim Burge shared hitting honors for Weyburn, both going 3 for 5. Keith Covert had a 2 for 5 night while Jackie Fulton was best for Regina, going two for three. Teammate Lou Lysack punched out two hits in five attempts.
L. Woolley (L), Harrison (8) and Lysack
Hoff (W), G. Shupe (9) and O'Brien
(August 13) The front-running Moose Jaw Lakers, who clinched the Southern League pennant more than a week ago, delivered a staggering blow to the Assiniboia Aces when they walked off with both ends of a doubleheader, winning by identical 8 - 6 counts. The second contest was called at the end of 7 1/2 innings because of darkness. In the afternoon encounter, the Lakers' Don Devine slammed out a triple and two doubles against loser Paul Pearson. Ray Nutzhorn struck out the final batter in the game when Moose Jaw starter and winner Bob Bell relinquished pitching duties following an 8 2/3 inning mound stint. Nutzhorn had a double and single for Moose Jaw while Bob Chapman and Bell each had a brace of singles.
Pearson (L) and Waterton
Bell (W), Nutzhorn (9) and Peterson
In the evening affair, the Lakers exploded for five runs in the 2nd frame and then coasted the rest of the way for the victory. Wally Blaisdell, with bullpen help from Jack Devine, picked up the win over Gord Skjerven. Bob Chapman was best at the dish for the Lakers with a triple and single.
Skjerven (L), Logan (2), A. Erfle (4) and Waterton
Blaisdell (W), J. Devine (7) and Peterson
(August 15) The Notre Dame Hounds divided a doubleheader with the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers, losing 10 - 3 in the opener and winning a 10 - 6 slugfest in the nightcap. In the matinee affair, Orval Verpe kept Hound hitters well in check while his teammates struck for two big innings to provide him with plenty of cushion. Notre Dame starter Hap L'Heureux was the loser. Nasie Schnell's two-run homer in the 3rd put the Coalers ahead to stay. The Hounds Frank Germann lit up Verpe for the circuit in the 8th with the bases bare.
L'Heureux (L), Resch (6) and Ross
Verpe (W) and Jackson
In the second tilt, lefthander Hugo Dombowsky. a former Coaler, was the winning pitcher although he had his bell rung for 6 runs in the 7th. George Roy was charged with the loss. Notre Dame's Nick Metz provided the heavy hitting by connecting for two home runs.
Roy (L), G. McKechney (3) and Jackson
Dombowsky (W) and Ross, Germann (8)
(August 15) The Regina Royal Caps' chances of making the playoffs were vastly diminished with a 4 - 2 setback at the hands of the Moose Jaw Lakers. Right-hander Jack Devine went all the way for Moose Jaw to record the win as the Lakers pinned the defeat on Ed Heidt. Mel Hennenfent paced the Lakers at the plate with three singles in four attempts while brother Bill connected for two. First sacker Doug Hingley led the Regina hitters with a 2 for 4 performance. Jackie Fulton of the Royal Caps had a triple, the only extra base hit of the game.
J. Devine (W) and Smith
Heidt (L) and Lysack, McNabb (8)
(August 17) Weyburn's reliable Beavers clinched second spot in the Southern League by knocking off Moose Jaw's league-leading Lakers 3 - 1. Ralph Hogg, the old Beavers' smoothie, kept his season's unbeaten record intact on the strength of a five-hitter. Wally Blaisdell gave up six hits in absorbing the defeat. Tied 1 - 1 in the 3rd, Weyburn's Dan O'Brien stole home with what proved to be the winning run.
Blaisdell (L) and Smith
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
(August 17) The hustling Notre Dame Hounds squeezed into the Southern League playoffs when they dropped the sagging Regina Royal Caps 10 - 4 in a game called after five innings because of rain and darkness. Notre Dame's victory shoved them into a third place deadlock with the Assiniboia Aces which sets up a sudden-death saw-off with the winner opposing second place Weyburn while the loser will have to face the run-away first place Moose Jaw Lakers. The Hounds scored five times in the 1st inning off loser Lefty Harrison and never looked back from there. Hugo Dombowsky took the win for the collegians and was never in serious trouble. Murray Huck and Nick Metz had a brace of hits for the Dogs while Jackie Fulton, Paul Sembaliuk and Harrison reciprocated for the Reginans.
Dombowsky (W) and Ross
Harrison (L), Heidt (2) and Lysack
Final Standings
Moose Jaw Lakers 20 - 5 .800
Weyburn Beavers 14 - 12 .538
Assiniboia Aces 13 - 13 .500
Notre Dame Hounds 13 - 13 .500
Regina Royal Caps 12 - 14 .462
Regina Red Sox 12 - 14 .462
Estevan-Bienfait Coalers 10 - 15 .400
Avonlea Arrows 3 - 11 .214
(August 19) The Assiniboia Aces, newcomers to the Southern League, captured the sudden-death playoff to determine third place when they clipped the Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 3. Gord Skjerven turned in a great two way effort to spark the Aces. He collected three of Assiniboia's seven hits off loser Phil Resch, drove in four and held Notre Dame to five hits until he stopped a hot line-drive and was forced to leave the game in the 7th. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. Frank Germann hit a towering two-run homer for the Hounds. The Aces' victory sends them up against the second place Weyburn Beavers in one semi-final while the Hounds now must tackle the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Lakers in the other.
Skjerven (W), A. Erfle (7) and Waterton
Resch (L) and Germann
PLAY-OFFS :
(August 23) Weyburn's veteran Beavers, behind Gayle Shupe's fine hurling, defeated the Assiniboia Aces 6 - 0 to grab a one game lead in their best-of-three Southern League semi-final. Shupe was in his best form and limited the Aces to but five hits in posting the shutout. Only twice did Assiniboia runners get as far as third base and, on both occasions, the big right-hander retired the side by striking out the batter. The Beavers scored four times off Lefty Erfle in the 3rd and that was all the margin they needed. Weyburn's Bill Garner and Keith Covert were the leading hitters of the night, both going 2 for 5. Wes Reader was the only Aces' player to solve Shupe for two hits.
A. Erfle (L) and Waterton
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(August 24) The Moose Jaw Lakers got the jump on the Notre Dame Hounds in their semi-final series as veteran right-hander Dave White pitched a two-hitter that vaulted them to a 9 - 2 win. The game ended after 8 innings when darkness swept the skies. With the count knotted at 2 - 2 entering the bottom of the 6th, the Lakers hauled out their heavy artillery and blasted out seven hits to push home five big runs against loser Hugo Dombowsky. Bill Hennenfent, Mel Hennenfent and White were best at the plate for Moose Jaw with a brace of singles apiece. Nick Metz accounted for both Notre Dame hits.
Dombowsky (L) and Germann
White (W) and Peterson
(August 25) Bob Chapman, second baseman with the Moose Jaw Lakers, is the new batting champion of the Southern League. Chapman collected 41 safe blows in 110 official at-bats to take the crown with a .372 average. Hank Dornstauder of the Estevan-Bienfait Coalers was runner-up at .365 while Jack Shupe of the Weyburn Beavers followed at .350. Ralph Hogg, the ageless wonder of the Weyburn Beavers, captured pitching honors with a perfect 4 - 0 record.
Top 10 hitters
Bob Chapman (Moose Jaw Lakers) 41 - 110 .372
Hank Dornstauder (Estevan-Bienfait Coalers) 39 - 107 .365
Jack Shupe (Weyburn Beavers) 36 - 103 .350
Jim Burge (Weyburn Beavers) 37 - 107 .346
Gord Skjerven (Assiniboia Aces) 27 - 80 .337
Frank Germann (Notre Dame Hounds) 25 - 75 .333
Tim Daley (Notre Dame Hounds) 29 - 90 .322
Don Woolley (Regina Royal Caps) 38 - 120 .317
Ralph Peterson (Moose Jaw Lakers) 27 - 85 .317
Rube Erfle (Assiniboia Aces) 31 - 99 .313
Leading Pitchers
Ralph Hogg (Weyburn Beavers) 4 - 0 1.000
Jack Devine (Moose Jaw Lakers) 5 - 1 .833
Dave White (Moose Jaw Lakers) 4 - 1 .800
Phil Resch (Notre Dame Hounds) 3 - 1 .750
Hugo Dombowsky (Estevan-Bienfait/Notre Dame) 7 - 4 .636
(August 28) The Notre Dame Hounds, behind Lionel "Hap" L'Heureux's shutout hurling stopped the Moose Jaw Lakers 3 - 0 to even their semi-final series at one game each. Jack Devine was saddled with the loss as his teammates' offense sputtered against L'Heureux who set down 13 via the strikeout route.
J. Devine (L) and Peterson
L'Heureux (W) and Germann
(August 29) The Assiniboia Aces blasted the Weyburn Beavers 12 - 1 to tie their best-of-three semi-final series. Exploding for six runs in the 1st frame, the Aces were easy winners. Weyburn's only tally was of the unearned variety off winning pitcher Paul Pearson. Ralph Hogg was hung out to dry by the Aces' squad and took the loss. George Ciocia and Lorne Shanks each had three hits for Assiniboia while Bill Garner, Dan O'Brien and Hogg had two apiece for Weyburn. Rube Erfle, the Aces' veteran shortstop, had a home run for the winners.
Hogg (L), Covert (1), Hogg (2), Covert (5) and O'Brien
Pearson (W) and Shanks
(August 29) The Moose Jaw Lakers advanced to the Southern League final series when they sidelined the Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 6 in the deciding game of the best-of-three semi-final. The powerful Lakers pushed across three runs in the 1st inning and were never headed. Dave White grabbed the pitching decision over Hugo Dombowsky. White's only major nemesis was former NHL star Nick Metz who lit him up for two doubles and a single. Ed Magis and Bob Donald also kicked in with two hits each of the eight in total that White surrendered. For Moose Jaw, Ray Nutzhorn had a triple and single while the Hennenfent brothers, Mel and Bill, each came through with a pair of singles.
Dombowsky (L), Resch (6) and Germann
White (W) and Peterson
(August 30) Playing errorless ball behind the six-hit pitching of Gayle Shupe, the Weyburn Beavers pounded out a decisive 9 - 2 victory over the Assiniboia Aces and moved into the Southern League final to face the Moose Jaw Lakers. The win for Shupe was his second straight in playoff action. Loser Gord Skjerven was battered from the hill in the 5th as Weyburn rolled to an impressive 8 - 0 lead. Leading hitters for the Beavers were Jack Shupe and Bill Garner who both had two hits. Doug Shupe connected for a two-run homer. For Assiniboia, Rube Erfle was the best at the plate, going 2 for 4.
Skjerven (L), A. Erfle (5) and Shanks
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
(September 1) The Moose Jaw Lakers exploded for 8 runs in the 1st inning and added an additional three in the 2nd to score an easy 11 - 5 victory over the Weyburn Beavers in the opening game of the Southern League final. Wally Blaisdell allowed the Beavers five hits while striking out 10 as he went the route for the win in this 6 1/2 inning abbreviated game. Losing chucker, southpaw Dave Hoff, was pasted hard and often in the bottom of the opening frame after the Beavers had opened up a top-of-the-first 3 - 0 lead. Outstanding slugger for the Lakers was Don Devine who blasted a triple and two singles in four trips to the plate. Teammate Mel Hennenfent had a single and double in three tries.
Hoff (L), Covert (1) and O'Brien
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
(September 3) A fighting band of Weyburn Beavers drew abreast of the Moose Jaw Lakers when they slammed the regular season pennant winners 10 - 6 in the second match of their best-of-five final series. Both teams banged out 12 hits in the 6 1/2 inning shortened battle. Weyburn blew the game wide open in the 5th when they plated five tallies to take a 10 - 3 lead and drive Lakers' starter Jack Devine from the hill, handing Ralph Hogg the victory. Doug Shupe, Jim Burge, Dave Hoff and Hogg all had a pair of hits for the winners. Ray Nutzhorn was Moose Jaw's top batsman going 3 for 4. With two-hit production were Baldy Smith and Mel Hennenfent.
J. Devine (L), Nutzhorn (5) and Peterson
Hogg (W) and O'Brien
(September 5) The Weyburn Beavers moved out in front in the best-of-five Southern League final when they dropped the Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 2 in a rain shortened tussle. A brilliant pitching display by the Beavers' Gayle Shupe, who held the Lakers to only three hits in the 7 innings played, gives Weyburn a 2 -1 stranglehold in the series. Right-hander Dave White was the losing pitcher. With the score deadlocked at 2 - 2 entering the 6th inning, the Beavers bounced into a 4 - 2 lead as Dave Hoff drove in both runs with a single. Two more runs in the 7th sewed up the victory.
G. Shupe (W) and O'Brien
White (L), Nutzhorn (7) and Peterson
(September 8) A two-run homer by Bill Hennenfent in the 5th inning, with the home club clinging to a 4 - 3 lead, provided the margin of victory when the visiting Moose Jaw Lakers edged the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 4 to force a deciding game in the best-of-five Southern League final. Jack Devine went all 9 innings for the Lakers to pick up the win and pin the loss on Ralph Hogg. Bob Chapman, winner of the the league batting title, came through with two doubles and a triple for the Moose Jaw contingent. Keith Covert was best for Weyburn, going 2 for 4.
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
Hogg (L) and O'Brien
(September 26) Following 18 days of absolutely horrible weather, the 1954 Southern League finally came to a conclusion and the Moose Jaw Lakers were crowned new champions following their smashing 7 - 1 thumping of the Weyburn Beavers. Jack Devine was the hero of the showdown battle delayed numerous times by inclement conditions after the teams had split the first four games in the best-of-five affair. The veteran Moose Jaw right-hander was superb, limiting the heavy-hitting Beavers to just four safeties. While Devine was silencing the Weyburn artillery, the Lakers nicked loser Gayle Shupe and reliever Ralph Hogg, Weyburn's senior baseball citizens, for 11 safeties. The Lakers struck early and had a 6 - 0 cushion after four innings were in the books. Catcher Ralph Peterson was the heavy woodsman for the victorious Lakers, pounding out 3 for 4. Don Devine and Mel Hennenfent each had two base blasts. Right fielder George Knox was best for Weyburn with two doubles.
G. Shupe (L), Hogg (5) and Covert
J. Devine (W) and Peterson