SOUTHERN LEAGUE
The 1959 season saw a major transformation within the ranks of the Southern League. Although the Assiniboia Aces franchise withdrew, citing a lack of available, competitive player personnel, the loop added three expansion clubs to bring the total of member teams to nine, an overall increase of two from 1958. In addition, the long-standing Red Sox organization returned from Southey to Regina where its roots were spawned. With the demise of the Moose Jaw club in the semi-pro circuit, there was an upsurge of interest in local participation within the Mill City which resulted in the formation of a second team, the Mallards, made up primarily of junior-aged players and handled by skipper Roberto Zayas, a veteran of many years of baseball in Saskatchewan. The other Moose Jaw franchise, the Lakers, will be playing the bulk of their home games in nearby Rowletta. Joining the circuit for the first time were the Swift Current Indians, who for many seasons had battled Southern League competition in exhibition and tournament games, as well as the neophyte Balcarres Braves.
(May 20) Dan Garinger smashed two doubles and a pair of singles to lead the Weyburn Beavers to a 9 - 5 victory over the Estevan Maple Leafs in the 1959 Southern League debut for both teams. Jerry Wenman, who came out of the bullpen to put out a first inning Estevan uprising, got the pitching win in this seven-inning opener called early because of darkness. Jack Harbourne, the second of three Estevan hurlers, was saddled with the loss. Weyburn's Chick Springer drove in the winning run plus some insurance with a bases-loaded double in the seventh. Gary McKechney had a perfect night for the Maple Leafs picking up four singles in four trips to the plate. Larry McWilliams hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the losers.
A. Josephson, Wenman (W) (1) and Perras
R. McKechney, Harbourne (L) (4), Sanderson (7) and Kreuger
(May 20) In an 11-inning thriller, the Regina Red Sox and the Moose Jaw Lakers battled to a 3 - 3 tie. Vic Wall tossed a seven-hitter and went the distance for the Red Sox. Bob Bell started for the Lakers and was relieved in the 10th by Wayne LeBere. Wayne Mang led the nine-hit Regina attack with a double and single. Ken McEachern and Denny Cochrane each laced out two singles for the Sox. Wally Blaisdell was the top gun for Moose Jaw with a double and single.
Wall and Flaman
Bell, LeBere (10) and Hunchuk
(May 21) 17-year-old Dick Mandzuk limited the Notre Dame Hounds to two hits in leading the youthful Moose Jaw Mallards to an 8 - 1 victory in their first-ever Southern League encounter. The game was the first of the season for both clubs and was halted in the bottom of the fifth because of rain. Dennis Williams led the Mallard hitting attack with two singles and an inside-the-park home run off loser Phil Resch. Fergie Olver belted a triple and double while Bob Nevill had three singles.
Resch (L) and Doetzel
Mandzuk (W) and Foord
(May 22) Slender right-hander Al Ash shackled the Balcarres Braves with a six strikeout, two-hitter in sparking the Regina Red Sox to an 8 - 0 win. Balcarres' Barry Trapp had the only hits off Ash's servings, both singles. Starting pitcher Guy Blondeau of the Braves was chased from the mound in the fifth and was hit with the loss. Wayne Mang and Ken McEachern led the Red Stockings at the plate each with two singles.
Blondeau (L), Obey (5) and Ross
Ash (W) and Flaman
(May 22) The Moose Jaw Lakers picked up their first win of the campaign by stopping the Weyburn Beavers 4 - 1. The Beavers took a 1 - 0 lead in the sixth inning on a bases-empty home run by pitcher Ed Wyant but the Lakers came back to score two runs in the 8th and another pair in the 9th to make Wyant the loser. Veteran hurler Jack Devine picked up the win, limiting the Beavers to six hits. Don Laube and Fred Hansen led Moose Jaw each with a pair of hits. Wyant had a brace for Weyburn.
Devine (W) and Hunchuk
Wyant (L) and Garinger
( May 23) Gene Herle belted a grand slam homer and Murray Jenkins added a homer and triple to pace Marquis Wheat Kings to a 16-11 win over Swift Current. Jackie McLeod had a homer and two singles for Swift Current. Nick Baiton registered four singles. Gordon Dougherty pitched into the sixth inning for the win.
Ranger (L), Hammer (1), McLeod (2) and Johnson
Dougherty (W), Guillaume (6) and Anderson
(May 24) Gordon Johnson had a three-run homer and single to lead Swift Current to an 8-6 victory over Moose Jaw Mallards. Jerry Ranger picked up the win in relief. Terry Wasley had a homer, triple and single for the losers.
Reedy, Knelson (4), Mandzuk (L) (7) and Foord
Pederson, Ranger (W) (7) McLeod (7), Ranger (8) and Johnson
(May 24) Merv Sanderson settled down after a three-run first inning and hurled Estevan to an 8-5 win over Notre Dame. He allowed eight hits and fanned nine in going the distance. Lyle Thompson led the offense with a pair of doubles.
Sanderson (W 1-0) and Kreuger, Kraychy (8)
Jankowich (L), Resch (4) and Doetzel
(May 24) Weyburn Beavers scored a pair in the 13th inning to shade Balcarres 16-14 in a contest which featured 34 hits and 21 errors. Beavers' coach Chick Springer carried the big stick for the winners with a pair of homers, a double and single. Alex Lypka led the Braves with a double and three singles. John Ross had four singles.
Wenman, Luterbach (7), Wyant (W) (8) and Garinger
Warsey, Bellegarde (2), Obey (3), Blondeau (L) (9) and Ross
(May 24) Regina Red Sox pounded out 22 hits to whip Marquis 14-9 as winning pitcher Vic Wall bashed two home runs and a pair of singles. Wayne Mang added a homer, double and single. Lionel Ruhr had a homer and a single.
Wall (W) and Flaman
Linnell (L), Dougherty (9) and Anderson
(May 27) Wally Blaisdell slugged two home runs to lead the Moose Jaw Lakers past the Swift Current Indians 12 - 6. Don Laube and Wayne LeBere also homered for the Lakers. Clint Cory smashed a circuit clout for the Indians. Moose Jaw got out of the gate quickly, scoring five times in the first inning, and never looked back. LeBere went the distance for the Lakers to pick up the pitching win while Swift Current starter Clarence Hoffman was hit with the loss.
Hoffman (L), Pederson (3) and Johnson
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(May 27) Erupting for three runs in the second inning, the Regina Red Sox scored a 5 - 2 victory over the Weyburn Beavers, A nifty seven-hit, eight strikeout mound performance by Chris Batley, backed up by solid glove work by the Red Sox' infielders, produced the victory. Lionel Ruhr was the top hitter for Regina with a triple and single while Wayne Mang and Art Rennie followed with two singles each. Shortstop Buzz Bent whacked a three-bagger and single to lead the Beavers at the plate. Losing pitcher Ed Wyant had two singles.
Wyant (L) and Perras
Batley (W) and Flaman
(May 28) Dalton Skeoch drove in the winning run in the 8th inning as Marquis Wheat Kings edged Moose Jaw Mallards 4-3. Skeoch led the attack with a double and single. Murray Jenkins was the winning pitcher, while starter Merv Knelson of the Ducks took the loss. Roberto Zayas had a double and single for the Mallards.
Difley, Jenkins (W) (4) and Anderson
Knelson (L), Mandzuk (9) and Foord
(May 29) The Weyburn Beavers collected 13 hits off two Balcarres hurlers and downed the Braves 15 - 3. Weyburn's Jerry Wenman went the distance for the win. Loser Bill Warsey started on the mound for Balcarres but was shelled in the fifth. Ed Wyant led the Weyburn hitting attack with a trio of base blows. Catcher Don Perras, Dan Garinger and Dick Regier collected two hits each. For the Braves, Alex Lypka, John Ross and Barry Trapp each came up with a brace of safeties.
Warsey (L) Townsend (5) and Ross
Wenman (W) and Perras
(May 29) The Moose Jaw Mallards won their second game of the young season when they topped the Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 3. Moose Jaw's Dick Mandzuk struck out nine in going the route for the win. Both teams had five hits as Notre Dame starter Phil Resch was charged with the loss. There were no extra-base hits in this game and no player had more than one single.
Mandzuk (W) and Foord
Resch (L), Carr (8) and Doetzel
(May 30) Veteran Jackie McLeod fired a three-hitter as Swift Current blanked Marquis 2-0. McLeod fanned 12 and walked one. He helped at the plate with two hits. George Guillaume allowed just five hits in taking the loss.
Guillaume (L) and Anderson
McLeod (W) and Johnson
(May 31) Chuck Holdaway tossed a six-hitter as Swift Current downed Balcarres 6-1 in the first game of a double-header. He had ten strikeouts and a single base on balls. Nick Baiton led the attack with a double and two singles. Frank Mahoney had a double and triple. For Balcarres, Barry Trapp picked up two singles in four at-bats.
Balcarres took the second game 6-2 as Art Obey scattered ten hits for the win. Don Dreger had three singles for the Braves. Stu Millard hit a triple and two singles for the Tribe while Baiton collected three singles.
Holdaway (W) and Johnson
Blondeau (L) and Ross
Ranger (L) and Johnson
Obey (W) and Ross
(May 31) Marquis scored five runs in the second inning in a 6-5 win over Weyburn. Murray Jenkins had a double and two singles to pace the Wheat Kings. Ed Wyant had a homer and two singles for Weyburn.
Mador (L) Franks (2) and Perras
Jenkins, Linnell (W) (3) and Anderson
(May 31) Estevan Maple Leafs erupted for seven runs in the first inning and went on to defeat Moose Jaw 16-10 at Rowletta. Merv Sanderson was the winning pitcher. Bob Bell took the loss.
Sanderson (W 2-0) and xxx
Bell (L), J Devine (1), LeBere (4) and xxx
(June 1) The Estevan Maple Leafs moved into second place in the Southern League by whipping the Weyburn Beavers 12 - 1. The Leafs pounded loser Ed Wyant and his bullpen helper, Jerry Wenman, for 15 base blows in easily manhandling the Beavers. Estevan's Gary McKechney threw a four-hitter to pick up the complete game win. Catcher Erwin Kreuger had the hottest bat in the Leafs' dugout as he belted out two home runs and a single. Nasie Schnell had a 3 for 5 night including a bases-empty four-bagger. Lyle Thompson collected two singles and a double in five at bats while Bob Jackson clubbed a two-run circuit clout. Elmer Franks, Buzz Bent and Dick Regier all had a brace of base raps for the losers.
G. McKechney (W) and Kreuger
Wyant (L), Wenman (8) and Perras
(June 1) Hard hit by the loss of many of their experienced core of players, the Notre Dame Hounds have hit the skids in the Southern League and are showing no signs of improving. The Hounds, who were runners-up for the league title last season, were blasted 13 - 3 by the Regina Red Sox and suffered their fourth straight loss of the campaign. Ken "Blackie" Kober and Al Ash split the pitching chores for the Sox with Kober being credited with the win over Notre Dame's Phil Resch. The Reginans pounded Resch and reliever Hugh Carr for 16 hits with shortstop Lionel Ruhr leading the way with two singles and a double. Wayne Mang had three singles. Ed Heidt and Denny Cochrane stroked out a brace of singles each. Bob Donald was the top hitter for Notre Dame with a double and single while catcher Ed Doetzel had two singles.
Kober (W), Ash (6) and Flaman, McNabb (6)
Resch (L), Carr (6) and Doetzel
(June 2) The Regina Red Sox rolled to their fifth straight win as they overpowered the Moose Jaw Mallards 10 - 5. Vic Wall held the Mallards to seven hits in gaining his second win against no defeats this season, striking out 12 along the way. Emmet Reidy started for Moose Jaw and was charged with the loss. Center fielder Denny Cochrane led the Red Sox at the plate with a triple and double. Wall and Harvey Flaman also slammed triples as part of Regina's 11-hit attack. First baseman Bob Nevill hit the Ducks' only extra-base blow, a fourth inning double. Russ Kindred had two singles in three trips.
Wall (W) and McNabb
Reidy (L), Knelson (6), Mandzuk (8) and Beitel
(June 3) Notre Dame Hounds registered their first win of the season with a 10-8 victory over Marquis Wheat Kings as Bob Donald led the way with a home run and a single. Don Griffith had a pair of doubles. George Cannon led the Kings with three singles and George Guillaume blasted a homer. Jim Jankowich went seven innings for the win.
Jankowich (W) , Carr (8) and Doetzel
Dougherty (L), Difley (8), Dougherty (9) and Anderson
(June 3) Swift Current Indians scored three in the top of the 9th and then stopped a Moose Jaw rally in the bottom of the 9th to top the Mallards 7-4. Jackie McLeod had a homer and single for the winners while Gord Johnson added a triple and single. Moose Jaw playing-manager Roberto Zayas led the Mallards with a homer and double. Harvey Pederson chalked up the win.
Pederson (W), McLeod (7) and Johnson
Mandzuk (L), Knelson (8) and Foord
(June 4) First sacker Mel Hennenfent crushed a home run, double and single to lead Moose Jaw Lakers to a 13-12 triumph over Marquis in a contest at Rowletta. Wally Blaisdell and Don Laube each produced two doubles and a single. Murray Jenkins was the Wheat Kings' top batsman with a double and single.
Guillaume, Dougherty (L) (5) and Anderson
Bell, Devine (3), LeBere (W) (7) and Hunchuk
(June 5) Dan Garinger punched out an 8th inning double that drove in a pair of runs to give the Weyburn Beavers a 7 - 5 win over the lowly Notre Dame Hounds. Garinger's timely blow off loser Phil Resch was his second of the game. He was the only player on either team to manage more than one hit. Jerry Wenman, with a five-hitter, was the winning chucker, his third straight this year. At one point, he retired 15 consecutive Notre Dame hitters. Phil Headley pounded out a bases-empty home run for the Hounds.
Carr, Resch (L) (7) and Doetzel
Wenman (W) and Perras
(June 6) Bert Olmstead scattered seven hits as Swift Current downed Regina Red Sox 8-2. Al Ash took the loss. Regina's Vic Wall had the only homer.
Olmstead (W) and Johnson
Ash (L), Batley (4), Mock (5) and McNabb
(June 7) Ed Wyant starred on the hill and at the plate as Weyburn topped Marquis 7-3. Wyant pitched a six-hitter and bashed a three-run homer. Dick Regier added a pair of doubles. George Rosenau had three singles for the Wheat Kings.
Wyant (W) and Perras
Jenkins (L) , Dougherty (8) and Anderson
(June 7) Moose Jaw Lakers trounced Moose Jaw Mallards 10-2 as lefty Wayne LeBere fired a six-hitter and fanned 10. Leading the Lakers' 16-hit attack was third baseman Don Laube who had three hits and three RBI's.
Reedy (L), Knelson (4), Benaschuk (7) and Foord, Beitel (7)
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(June 7) Jackie McLeod tossed a three-hit shutout to lead Swift Current to a 3-0 win over Regina Red Sox. McLeod fanned 13 in besting Vic Wall who allowed just four hits in taking the loss. McLeod blasted a two-run homer while Nick Baiton had two singles for the Tribe.
McLeod (W) and Johnson
Wall (L) and McNabb
(June 7) Estevan Maple Leafs took both ends of a double-header from Balcarres 7-3 and 5-2. Merv Sanderson registered the win in the opener, Gary McKechney was the winner in the second game, his third victory of the season. Harold Schnell and Larry McWilliams of the Leafs as well as the Braves' Barry Trapp all connected for doubles in the opening match. Schnell was the top hitter for Estevan in the nightcap with a double and single while Lyle Thompson singled twice. Trapp led the Braves with a pair of hits. The brace of wins moved Estevan into first place, a half game ahead of the Moose Jaw Lakers.
Warsey (L), Townsend (3), Sim (6) and Ross
Sanderson (W 3-0), Harbourne (5) and Kreuger
Blondeau (L) and Ross
G McKechney (W) and Kraychy, Kreuger (8)
Standings as of June 9
Estevan Maple Leafs 5 - 1 .833
Moose Jaw Lakers 4 - 1 .800
Regina Red Sox 5 - 2 .714
Swift Current Indians 6 - 3 .667
Weyburn Beavers 5 - 4 .556
Marquis Wheat Kings 3 - 5 .375
Moose Jaw Mallards 2 - 5 .286
Notre Dame Hounds 1 - 5 .167
Balcarres Braves 1 - 6 .143
(June 9) The Moose Jaw Lakers climbed into a first place tie with the Estevan Maple Leafs when they defeated the Weyburn Beavers 12 - 4. Veteran Jack Devine played havoc with the old belief that pitchers are not supposed to hit. Besides fashioning a neat 9-hitter, Devine slammed a pair of two-run homers. Wally Blaisdell also smashed a round-tripper for the Lakers, a bases-empty shot. Blaisdell also had a single. Weyburn's Jerry Wenman took his first mound setback of the season. Murray Smail also contributed to the Moose Jaw offense with two hits. Weyburn's top swatter was Chick Springer with a bases-empty homer and two singles. Three other Weyburn players, Don Perras, Dick Regier and Wenman, all went 2 for 4.
Devine (W) and Smith
Wenman (L), Franks (9) and Perras
(June 9) The Balcarres Braves moved out of the Southern League basement with a 4 - 1 win over the Moose Jaw Mallards. Art Obey got the win for Balcarres, giving up four hits while fanning seven. Emmet Reidy took the loss for Moose Jaw. Norm Goodwill paced the Braves at the plate with a pair of doubles while John Ross and John Walker had a brace of singles apiece.
Reidy (L) and Foord
Obey (W) and Ross
(June 10) Catcher Morris McNabb's bottom of the 9th single drove in Harvey Flaman with the winning run as the Regina Red Sox edged the Balcarres Braves 3 - 2. Gerry Mock of the Sox and Guy Blondeau of the Braves both pitched complete game seven-hitters with the Sox' 20 year old right-hander coming out on top as his burly battery-mate provided him with the margin of victory. Ken McEachern paced the Redlegs offensive attack with a double and single while Vic Wall registered two singles. Dick Meyer stroked a pair of one-baggers for the Braves.
Blondeau (L) and Ross
Mock (W) and McNabb
(June 10) The Estevan Maple Leafs moved into sole possession of first place in the Southern League when they exploded for 18 hits to dismantle the Notre Dame Hounds 14 - 4. Lyle Thompson and Harold Schnell combined to lead the Maple Leafs to victory. Thompson swatted 5 singles in 6 times at bat while Schnell hit three doubles and a single and had four RBI's. Estevan's Merv Sanderson went the distance for the win. Only Jim Lyons, who had three singles for the Hounds, was able to experience success against Sanderson. Loser Hugh Carr gave up six first inning runs and was battered from the slab in the sixth.
Carr (L), Resch (6) and Doetzel
Sanderson (W 4-0) and Kreuger
(June 12) Marquis Wheat Kings pounded out 15 hits in a 15-5 win over Notre Dame Hounds. Winning pitcher Jim Linnell led the offense with a three-run homer. Dalton Skeoch had a double and two singles while Murray Jenkins added three singles. For the Hounds, Denny Messier and Art Sorenson each had three singles. Pete Barth had a double and single.
Linnell (W) and Anderson
Carr (L), Resch (8), Townsend (8) and Barth
(June 12) Jerry Wenman held the heavy-hitting Estevan Maple Leafs to just five hits as Weyburn Beavers notched a 7-3 victory. Wenman picked up his fourth win of the season and helped at the plate with a double and single, driving in three runs. Buzz Bent added a pair of doubles. Larry McWilliams paced the Leafs with a homer and a single.
G. McKechney (L), Sanderson (3) and Kreuger
Wenman (W) and Perras
(June 13) Weyburn trounced Swift Current 14-2. Elmer Franks, who relieved starter Cece McCarron in the second inning, was credited with the win. Dan Garinger, Don Perras and Dick Regier all had two hits for the Beavers. For Swift Current, Frank Mahoney and Chuck Holdaway each hit three singles.
McCarron, Franks (W) (2) and Perras
Holdaway (L), Pederson (5), Hoffman (6) and Johnson
(June 13) Jim Jankowich held Moose Jaw Mallards to four hits as the Notre Dame Hounds notched an 11-5 triumph. Ken Townsend punched out two doubles and a single for the winners. Jim Lyons added a triple and single. Pinch-hitter Ed Beitel's 9th inning triple was the only extra base hit surrendered by Jankowich.
Jankowich (W) and Doetzel
McKay (L), Yeomans (3) and Foord
(June 14) Ed Wyant had four hits, including a pair of doubles, and was the winning pitcher as Weyburn swept its weekend series with Swift Current with a 12-10, 10 inning win over the Indians. Buzz Bent and Cece McCarron each chipped in with a double and two singles. Nick Baiton paced the Indians with a homer, double and single. Terry Burns has a double and two singles.
Wyant (W), Wenman (4), Wyant (6) and Perras
McLeod, Pederson (2), Holdaway (L) (10) and Johnson
(June 14) Balcarres Braves swept a double-header from Marquis Wheat Kings 4-3 and 12-8 as Norm Goodwill registered both pitching victories, coming out of the bullpen on each occasion. Leading hitters in the first game for Balcarres were John Ross, John Walker and Don Dreger with two apiece, one of Ross' being a double, while Dalton Skeoch with two doubles and teammate Jim Linnell with a pair of singles led the Wheat Kings. In the second game, Barry Trapp and Norm Goodwill were the top dogs at the plate for the Braves with two singles and a double each while Dick Meyer had a pair of one-baggers.
Obey, Goodwill (W) (4) and xxx
Linnell (L) and xxx
Blondeau, Goodwill (W) (7) and xxx
Guillaume, Dougherty (L) (6), Linnell (6) and xxx
(June 14) Wayne LeBere fired a two-hitter as Moose Jaw Lakers whipped Regina Red Sox 12-0. Mel Hennenfent led the offense with a three-run homer and a double. George Hunchuk and Wally Blaisdell each had a double and two singles.
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
Heidt (L), Ash (6) and McNabb
(June 14) Merv Sanderson went the distance for the win as Estevan Maple Leafs topped Moose Jaw Mallards 9-4.
Sanderson (W 5-0) and xxx
Mandzuk (L) and xxx
(June 15) The Regina Red Sox scored two runs in each of the 7th and 8th innings to down the Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 1. Making his first start on the mound for the Red Sox this season, Arnie Floyd picked up the win. The Hounds went ahead 1 - 0 early in the game and maintained the lead until Wayne Mang doubled in the seventh, driving in a pair, to put the Sox up 2 - 1. Phil Resch, one of the top workhorses in the league, suffered his fifth defeat in as many decisions. Morris McNabb had two hits for Regina as did Harvey Johnson. Art Sorenson set the pace at the dish for the Dogs by blasting a double and two singles.
Resch (L) and Barth
Floyd (W) and McNabb
(June 16) The Estevan Maple Leafs and Regina Red Sox split a Southern League doubleheader with the Maple Leafs taking the seven-inning opener 4 - 2 and Regina coming back to win the second joust 11 - 8. Merv Sanderson out-dueled the Red Sox tandem of loser Al Ash and reliever Chris Batley to pick up the win in the matinee. Both teams had six hits. Redlegs' first baseman Wayne Mang and shortstop Lionel Ruhr were the only players to come up with two hits. One of Mang's was a towering home run.
Sanderson (W 6-0) and Kreuger
Ash (L), Batley (7) and McNabb
Estevan's defense was extremely porous in the nightcap. A four-run Regina outburst in the first inning shelled loser Gary McKechney from the mound. Regina's Vic Wall was the winner. Ken McEachern led the Red Sox hitters with a brace of singles. Bob Jackson was the top dog for Estevan with a double and two singles.
G. McKechney (L), Harbourne (1), Thompson (3) and Kreuger, Kraychy (1)
Wall (W), Batley (6) and McNabb
(June 16) Moose Jaw Lakers notched their seventh win in eight starts, a 3-2 win over Marquis Wheat Kings as Wally Blaisdell scattered nine hits for the win. Cy Thorseth was the hard-luck loser allowing just seven hits while chalking up 11 strikeouts.
Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk
Thorseth (L) and Anderson
(June 16) A nine-run sixth inning carried Balcarres to a 13-5 victory over Moose Jaw Mallards. John Walker paced the Braves with a triple and two doubles. Barry Trapp and Don Dreger each had three singles. Art Obey went the route for the win.
Obey (W) and Ross
Benaschuk (L), MacKay (6), Knelson (6) and Foord
(June 16) Notre Dame also had a big sixth inning, scoring seven times in a 16-6 rout of Weyburn. Jim Lyons led the way at the plate with a double and three singles and Ken Townsend bashed a three-run homer and a single. Jim Jankowich went the distance for the win.
Wenman (L), Franks (8), Luterbach (8) and Perras
Jankowich (W) and Barth
(June 17) Swift Current Indians shaded Marquis 4-3 behind the eight-hit pitching of Jerry Ranger. Terry Burns led the attack with a triple and two singles. Jimmy Wright added a double and single for the winners while Dalton Skeoch and Gene Herle reciprocated for the Wheat Kings.
Ranger (W) and xxx
Dougherty, Linnell (L) (4) and xxx
(June 18) First baseman Mel Hennenfent swatted three singles and a double to pace the first place Moose Jaw Lakers to a 12 - 8 win over their young city cousins, the Moose Jaw Mallards. George Hunchuk added three singles to the Lakers' 12-hit arsenal which pummeled loser Dick Mandzuk and three other Mallard chuckers. Wayne LeBere, who entered the game in the second frame in a relief role, was the pitching winner. Dennis Williams with a double and single and Terry Wasley with two singles were the best batsmen for the youthful Ducks.
Bell, LeBere (W) (2) and Hunchuk
Mandzuk (L), Yeomans (4), Reidy (5), McNaughton (6) and Foord
(June 18) The Regina Red Sox downed the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 0 behind the 7-hit, 6 strikeout pitching effort of southpaw Vic Wall plus the lusty hitting of Ken McEachern. Losing pitcher Ed Wyant of the Beavers was stung for a bases-empty homer and three singles off the bat of McEachern. Denny Cochrane also had a home run for Regina as well as a single. Wyant had two hits for the Beavers.
Wall (W) and McNabb
Wyant (L) and Perras
(June 18) The Notre Dame Hounds piled up an early 6 - 0 lead and went on to defeat the Balcarres Braves 7 - 2 as southpaw Hugh Carr picked up the complete game win over the Braves' Bill Warsey. Jim Lyons and Ken Townsend of the Hounds and the Braves' Alex Lypka and John Walker all laced a pair of singles. Jerome Walker of Balcarres had the game's only homer.
Carr (W) and Doetzel
Warsey (L) and Ross
(June 19) The Moose Jaw Lakers moved up a little higher in the standings and, at the same time, buried their city-cousins, the Moose Jaw Mallards, deeper into the Southern League cellar when they took an early 3 - 0 lead and maintained their margin through the later innings to post a 4 - 1 win. Jack Devine pitched a five-hitter for the win over the Ducks' Joe Benaschuk. Lakers' left fielder Murray Smail was the only player in the game producing a brace of base raps.
Devine (W) and Lovett
Benaschuk (L) and Foord
(June 20) Making their first Soo-Line road trip, the Swift Current Indians split a twin-bill with the Weyburn Beavers, taking it on the chin 5 - 1 in the 7-inning opener but rebounding nicely in the owl encounter to paste the home-town team 9 - 2 in another 7-frame event. Weyburn's Jerry Wenman threw a masterful one-hitter to handcuff the Tribe in the matinee, surrendering only a 9th inning single to Morris Mahoney. Swift Current starter Leo Heit was tagged with the loss. Wenman hit a bases-empty four-bagger for the Beavers while Dick Regier had two singles.
Heit (L), Pederson (3) and Johnson, Millard (4)
Wenman (W) and Perras
Swift Current broke out of their hitting slump in the second game and blasted two Weyburn hurlers for 14 blows, pinning the loss on starter Elmer Franks. Jackie McLeod, out of the bullpen in the third, got the win for the Tribe. Terry Burns was the top batter for Swift Current with three hits. McLeod, Gord Johnson and George Mahaffy had a brace while Clint Cory homered. Ed Wyant had two hits for Weyburn.
Pederson, McLeod (W) (3) and Johnson
Franks (L), Wenman (6) and Perras
(June 21) Playing their second double-dip in as many days on their Soo-Line swing, the Swift Current Indians again divided the spoils, this time with the host Estevan Maple Leafs. The Indians took the first encounter 5 - 2 but dropped the nightcap 7 - 1. Leo Heit tossed a four-hitter for Swift Current to pick up the opening game win. Losing hurler Jackie Harbourne was tagged for 12 safeties. Nick Baiton paced the Indians with 3 hits in 4 times at bat.
Heit (W) and Johnson
Harbourne (L) and Kreuger
Merv Sanderson threw a four-hitter to spark Estevan in the second game. The Leafs erupted for five runs in the second inning and chased losing hurler Harvey Pederson from the hill.
Pederson (L), McLeod (2) and Johnson
Sanderson (W 7-0) and Kreuger
(June 21) The Moose Jaw Lakers continued to roll along at the front of the Southern League pack, picking up their 10th win in 11 games, by knocking off the Balcarres Braves 6 - 4. Bob Bell fired a two-hitter for the win although he did need some help from fireman Jack Devine in the 9th. Guy Blondeau went the route for Balcarres, giving up five hits and striking out seven. No player on either team had more than one hit. The only extra base rap of the game was a double, garnered by the Braves' Barry Trapp.
Blondeau (L) and Ross
Bell (W), Devine (9) and Hunchuk
(June 21) Dennis Williams swatted two home runs to help make Moose Jaw's Merv Knelson a winner as the Mallards got past the sagging Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 1. The Hounds' Phil Resch was charged with the loss, his sixth consecutive of the campaign. Bob Nevill had a double and single for the Ducks and Fergie Olver two singles. Bernie Saucier and Ken Townsend both had a brace of knocks for the Dogs.
Knelson (W) and Foord
Resch (L) and Doetzel
(June 22) The Moose Jaw Lakers, on the strength of a seven run sixth inning, downed the Regina Red Sox 11 - 8, a win which propelled them further ahead at the front of the Southern League standings. Three Regina hurlers failed to put out Moose Jaw's sixth inning fire and the last of the trio, Chris Batley, suffered the defeat. The Sox held a healthy 6 - 0 lead after two innings and looked like sure winners but Moose Jaw reliever Ray Nutzhorn kept the Red Sox offense in check after he took over on the mound in the second. Outfielder Charlie Elsom led the Lakers' hitting with three singles while Jack Devine , Fred Hansen and Wally Blaisdell each had two hits. Ken McEachern was Regina's top hitter with a triple, double and single. Art Rennie managed three singles while Harvey Flaman, Morris McNabb and Harvey Johnson hit two singles apiece.
LeBere, Nutzhorn (W) (2) and Smith
Ash, Kober (6), Batley (L) (6) and McNabb
(June 23) Ed Wyant scattered 11 hits and Weyburn Beavers scored a pair of unearned runs in the first inning to down Estevan 3-1. Buzz Bent had a homer for the winners. For Estevan, Barney Krake and Erwin Kreuger each hit a double and single while Lyle Thompson stroked out two singles.
Wyant (W) and Perras
G McKechney (L) and Kreuger
(June 23) In a wild finish at Marquis, the Wheat Kings and Regina battled to a 10-10 extra inning tie. Marquis scored in the first inning and held a 1-0 lead through six innings. Red Sox tied it with a run in the seventh and took the lead with five runs in the 8th and a singleton in the 9th. Wheat Kings exploded for six runs in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into an extra frame. Red Sox plated three runs in the top of the 10th and Marquis came right back with three in the bottom of the inning before the game was called because of darkness. Regina's Chris Batley and the Kings' Gene Herle belted homers.
Floyd, Batley (9) and Flaman
Difley, Jenkins (8) and Anderson
(June 25) Bert Olmstead and Jackie McLeod combined to spark the Swift Current Indians to an 8 - 1 victory over the Moose Jaw Lakers in Southern League action. Olmstead tossed a six-hitter at the Lakers in going the distance for the win, fanning five Lakers en route. Although allowing 14 hits in his losing effort, the Lakers' Wayne LeBere pitched the entire game. McLeod hit a double and two singles to head the Swift Current batting list. Terry Burns swatted two doubles for the Indians while Olmstead had a double and single. Nick Baiton, Morris Mahoney and Clint Cory each collected two singles. Charlie Elsom was the best Moose Jaw hitter with a pair of singles.
LeBere (L) and Smith
Olmstead (W) and Johnson
(June 26) The latest Southern League statistics show Barry Trapp, 17-year-old second baseman of the Balcarres Braves, leading the batting race with an amazing .415 average. Close behind is the Swift Current Indians' Nick Baiton, hitting at a .393 clip. Rounding out the top three with .386 is Ed Wyant of the Weyburn Beavers.
Top Ten Batters
Barry Trapp (Balcarres Braves) 22 - 53 .415
Nick Baiton (Swift Current Indians) 22 - 56 .393
Ed Wyant (Weyburn Beavers) 22 - 57 .386
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Lakers) 19 - 50 .380
Art Sorenson (Notre Dame Hounds) 17 - 46 .370
Terry Wasley (Moose Jaw Mallards) 19 - 58 .328
Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians) 17 - 52 .327
Murray Jenkins (Marquis Wheat Kings) 16 - 50 .320
Mel Hennenfent (Moose Jaw Lakers) 16 - 50 .320
Dan Garinger (Weyburn Beavers) 24 - 76 .316
Hits - Garinger - 10
Home Runs - Chick Springer (Estevan Maple Leafs), Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) and Wyant - all tied with 4
Triples - Ken Townsend (Notre Dame Hounds) - 3
Doubles - Dalton Skeoch (Marquis Wheat Kings) and Garinger - tied with 6
Merv Sanderson of the Estevan Maple Leafs owns the best hill record with a five wins and no losses performance.
(June 29) A sharp five-hit pitching chore by lefthander Vic Wall ignited the Regina Red Sox to an 8 - 2 victory over the Moose Jaw Mallards. It was the 10th victory in 15 starts for the Red Stockings. Owen Gillstrom of the Crimson Hose had three singles in four at bats off loser Dick Mandzuk to lead the Regina attack. Harvey Johnson had a double and single for the Sox while Wall kicked in with a pair of singles. Roberto Zayas hit a double and single for Moose Jaw.
Mandzuk (L) and Foord
Wall (W) and Flaman, McNabb (6)
(June 29) Phil Resch, last season's winner of the Southern League's top pitcher award, finally got the piano off his back and entered the win column this campaign as he four-hit the league-leading Moose Jaw Lakers and went on to lead his Notre Dame Hounds to a 7 - 3 victory. Ken Townsend with a homer and Dennis Messier with a double and single helped Resch to the win after he had tasted defeat six consecutive times. Loser Bob Bell was driven from the mound in the fifth. Charlie Elsom's triple was the only extra-base hit surrendered by Resch.
Resch (W) and Doetzel
Bell (L), LeBere (5) and Hunchuk
(June 30) The Balcarres Braves scored three runs in the 8th inning and another in the 9th to defeat the Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 4. Art Obey went the distance for Balcarres to get the win. Hugh Carr, in the role of an 8th inning fireman, took the loss. The Hounds, behind starter Glen Campbell, led 4 - 1 entering the bottom of the 8th. Don Dreger and Alex Lypka each had a brace of hits for the winners while Notre Dame's Richie Dukes also had a pair.
Campbell, Carr (L) (8) and Doetzel
Obey (W) and John Walker
Standings as of July 2
Moose Jaw Lakers 11 - 3 .787
Regina Red Sox 10 - 5 .667
Estevan Maple Leafs 9 - 5 .643
Swift Current Indians 10 - 7 .588
Weyburn Beavers 10 - 8 .556
Balcarres Braves 6 - 9 .400
Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 10 .333
Marquis Wheat Kings 4 - 9 .308
Moose Jaw Mallards 3 - 12 .200
(July 3) Ken "Blackie" Kober tossed a one-hit shut-out as the Regina Red Sox dumped the Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 0. Art Sorenson's first inning single was the only blemish on Kober's résumé. The Sox had 9 base blows off loser Phil Resch and reliever Jim Jankowich as Larry Bachiu led the way, collecting four singles. Denny Cochrane had a double and single.
Kober (W) and McNabb
Resch (L), Jankowich (7) and Doetzel
(July 3) The Balcarres Braves scored 11 times in the sixth inning to down the suddenly slumping Moose Jaw Lakers 16 - 4. Art Obey pitched the complete game 8-hit victory for the Braves. Balcarres blasted 14 hits off four Moose Jaw hurlers as Lakers' starter Wayne LeBere was hit with the loss. Jerome Walker hit two home runs and a single for the victorious Warriors while Norm Goodwill had a circuit clout and a single. John Ross and Don Dreger both had a double and single while Alex Lypka came through with a brace of one-baggers. Wally Blaisdell clubbed a home run for Moose Jaw while Mel Hennenfent swatted two doubles. Baldy Smith had two singles.
Obey (W) and Ross
LeBere (L), Devine (6), Bell (6), Nutzhorn (8) and Hunchuk
(July 5) Estevan Maple Leafs moved into second place with a sweep of a double-header from Regina Red Sox 2-1 and 4-3. Merv Sanderson won his 8th straight in the opener with ten strikeouts and a single base on balls. He also drove in the winning run with a single in the 9th inning. Arnie Floyd allowed just five hits in taking the loss. Leafs also won the second game with a run in the 9th. Dale Wetsch reached on a single. Regina's Vic Wall attempted four straight pickoffs on Wetsch who had stolen three bases earlier in the game. Wall threw wide on his fourth attempt and Wetsch scrambled all the way to third and came home when first baseman Wayne Mang's throw to catcher Harvey Flaman was high. Lyle Thompson went the distance to gain the win for the Maple Leafs.
Floyd (L) and McNabb
Sanderson (W 8-0) and R. McKechney
Wall (L) and Flaman
Thompson (W) and Kraychy, R McKechney (4)
(July 5) Balcarres and Marquis divided a twin-bill. Norm Goodwill tossed a five-hitter in the first game for the 6-2 win. Jim Linnell went the distance to lead Marquis to a 6-2 victory in the second game. Murray Jenkins sparked the offense with a homer and single. Linnell drove in three runs with a triple and single.
Goodwill (W) and Ross
Thorseth (L), Linnell (4) and Anderson
Warsey (L), Obey (2) and Ross
Linnell (W) and Anderson
(July 5) Swift Current Indians and Notre Dame Hounds split a double-header. Jackie McLeod and Chuck Holdaway belted first inning homers and Indians held on for a 2-1 triumph in the opener. Leo Heit tossed a three-hitter for the win. Hounds' Hugh Carr took the tough loss, allowing just five hits. In the second game, Ed Doetzel's 10th inning homer gave Notre Dame an 8-7 win. Frank Germann also had a circuit smash for the winners. Jim Lyons chipped in with three singles. Carr picked up the win in relief.
Heit (W) and Johnson
Carr (L) and Doetzel
Holdaway (L) and Johnson
Jankowich, Carr (W) 8) and Doetzel
(July 5) Wally Blaisdell crushed a homer and three singles to pace a 17-hit attack as Moose Jaw Lakers downed Weyburn 9-4. Ray Nutzhorn relieved starter Jack Devine in the third inning and blanked the Beavers the rest of the way to pick up the win.
Wyant (L) and Perras
Devine, Nutzhorn (W) (3) and Hunchuk
(July 6) A spirited 9th inning rally by the Moose Jaw Mallards fell just short as they dropped an 8 - 7 verdict to the Weyburn Beavers. The last-place Mallards scored five times in the 9th and had runners at first and second base when the Beavers finally retired the side. The victory was Weyburn's 11th against 9 defeats . Jerry Wenman went the distance for the win to pick up his sixth victory. The Beavers lit up loser Colin MacKay and reliever Merv Knelson for 17 hits. Ed Wyant had a three-run homer and two singles. Don Perras collected a triple, double and single while Brian Josephson hit two singles and a double. With three singles was outfielder Dick Regier. Terry Wasley and Bob Hyias each had two base blows for the Ducks.
MacKay (L), Knelson (4) and Olver, Beitel (3)
Wenman (W) and Perras
(July 7) The Balcarres Braves downed the host Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 5 in a Southern league match-up as winning pitcher Guy Blondeau of the Braves and loser Phil Resch of the Hounds both threw complete games. Two home runs sparked the Balcarres win. John Walker, with a 3 for 5 night, clubbed a home run and two singles. Dick Meyer hit a home run and triple while John Ross had three singles. The Dogs' best hitter was Jim Lyons with three singles.
Blondeau (W) and Ross
Resch (L) and Doetzel
(July 7) Marquis Wheat Kings scored single runs in the 8th and 9th innings to shade Regina Red Sox 7-5. George Guillaume scattered 12 hits to register the win and helped out at the plate with a single and triple. Gord Dougherty, Murray Jenkins and Gord Difley each collected two singles for the Wheat Kings. Art Rennie was the top hitter for Regina with two doubles and a single. Al Ash and Denny Cochrane each contributed a brace of base knocks.
Guillaume (W) and Anderson
Ash, Batley (7), Floyd (L) (7) and McNabb
(July 8) The Estevan Maple Leafs pulled to within a half game of the loop-leading Moose Jaw Lakers by defeating the Moose Jaw Mallards 5 - 0. Merv Sanderson chalked up his 9th win against no losses by tossing a four-hit shutout and striking out 12. Dick Mandzuk went the route for the Ducks and took the loss. Gary McKechney was Estevan's top batter with a single and double. Roberto Zayas, Mallards' playing-manager, hit 2 singles for Moose Jaw.
Mandzuk (L) and Zayas
Sanderson (W 9-0) and R. McKechney
(July 9) A three-run double by Stu Millard in the 8th inning gave the Swift Current Indians a 4 - 1 win over the free-falling Moose Jaw Lakers and moved the Tribe into sole possession of third place in the Southern League, a game and a half behind the Lakers and Estevan Maple Leafs. Millard's blow broke open a tight pitching duel between the Indians ' Leo Heit and Moose Jaw's Wally Blaisdell. Heit tossed a four-hitter and whiffed 14 in getting the win. Blaisdell fanned 15 and gave up 6 hits in taking the loss. Millard was the lone player on either team to get more than one hit as he also rapped a clean single in the third.
Heit (W) and Johnson
Blaisdell (L) and Hunchuk
(July 9) The Balcarres Braves unleashed a 16-hit attack to clobber the slumping Regina Red Sox 13 - 1. Balcarres' Art Obey spaced six hits and struck out five for the mound victory. Ken Kober of the Sox, who pitched into the seventh frame, took the loss. Barry Trapp sparked the Braves' attack with a triple and two singles. Don Dreger chipped in with a brace of doubles and a single while Jerome Walker slapped out a trio of singles. Owen Gillstrom and Ken McEachern of the Redlegs each connected for a pair of singles.
Obey (W) and Ross
Kober (L), Leverick (7) and McNabb
(July 10) Barry Trapp of the Balcarres Braves continues to lead Southern League hitters in batting, with an impressive .400 average, according to statistics released today.
Top Ten Batters
Barry Trapp (Balcarres Braves) 26 - 65 .400
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Lakers) 26 - 66 .394
Nick Baiton (Swift Current Indians) 27 - 70 .386
Ed Wyant (Weyburn Beavers) 24 - 65 .369
Art Sorenson (Notre Dame Hounds) 19 - 54 .352
Lyle Thompson (Estevan Maple Leafs) 22 - 64 .344
Murray Jenkins (Marquis Wheat Kings) 20 - 59 .339
Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians) 21 - 63 .333
Charlie Elsom (Moose Jaw Lakers) 20 - 61 .328
Terry Wasley (Moose Jaw Mallards) 20 - 61 .328
Merv Sanderson of the Estevan Maple Leafs is the top pitcher with a record of nine wins and no losses.
(July 10) The Regina Red Sox dropped their fifth straight as the hustling Weyburn Beavers hung a 13 - 5 defeat on them in Southern League play. Jerry Wenman pitched the complete game for Weyburn to pick up the win. Arnie Floyd, in relief of Regina starter Vic Wall, took the loss. Right fielder Dick Regier had a triple and two singles for the Beavers while Ed Wyant had two singles and a double. Cece McCarron swatted three singles and Wenman a pair. Second baseman Luke Moser had three hits for the Sox. Larry Bachiu contributed two singles and Wayne Mang hit the contest's only circuit clout.
Wenman (W) and Perras, Garinger (4)
Wall, Floyd (L) (5) and McNabb, Flaman (6)
(July 10) Marquis Wheat Kings erupted for 15 hits in a 9-2 win over Notre Dame. Murray Jenkins, with a homer and single, led the Kings' attack. Clare Anderson added a double and single. Cy Thorseth held the Hounds to six hits in gaining the win. He fanned 11 and walked four. For the Hounds, Ed Doetzel kicked in with a double and single.
Carr (L), Campbell (8) and Doetzel
Thorseth (W) and Anderson
(July 11) Notre Dame downed Swift Current 6-2 behind the seven-hit pitching of Phil Resch. Gord Johnson of the Indians had the only homer and added a single. Pete Barth and Richie Dukes had two hits each for the winning Dogs. Jackie McLeod swatted a pair of singles for the Tribe.
Resch (W) and Doetzel
Holdaway (L), McLeod (8) and Johnson
(July 11) Nasie Schnell slammed 2 home runs to drive in 5 tallies as the Estevan Maple Leafs topped the Moose Jaw Lakers 9 - 8 at Rowletta. Lyle Thompson picked up the hurling victory over Wayne LeBere. Wally Blaisdell of the Lakers had a pair of hits including a homer.
Thompson (W) and xxxx
LeBere (L) and xxxx
(July 12) Catcher Ed Doetzel had four hits in five trips to lead Notre Dame to an 8-6 win over Swift Current. Glen Campbell was the winner in relief.
Jankowich, Campbell (W) (5), Resch (7) and Doetzel
Heit (L), McLeod (3) and Johnson
(July 12) Weyburn Beavers rebounded from a 6-0 deficit to top Marquis 9-7 on Alvin Josephson's two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning. Ed Wyant, who relieved starter Elmer Franks in the fifth inning, went the rest of the way for the win. Marquis had three homers in a losing cause as Gord Dougherty, Murray Jenkins and Dalton Skeoch had circuit clouts. Jenkins also had a pair of singles.
Linnell, Jenkins (L) (10) and Anderson
Franks, Wyant (W) (5) and Perras
(July 12) Moose Jaw Mallards topped Moose Jaw Lakers 7-5. Terry Wasley's 9th inning triple capped a three-run rally that carried the Mallards to victory and sent Lakers' veteran pitcher, Jack Devine, down to defeat. Joe Benaschuk pitched the entire game for the Mallards and was lit up for home runs by Wally Blaisdell and Mel Hennenfent.
Benaschuk (W) and Foord
J Devine (L), Bell (9), LeBere (9) and xxx
(July 12) Art Obey won his seventh game without a loss as Balcarres downed Estevan 4-1 in the first game of a double-header. Obey allowed seven hits. Gary McKechney gave up just six hits in taking the loss. Larry Trapp knocked in a pair of runs with a triple. In the second game, Ernie Dyda fired a three-hitter to lead Estevan to an 8-1 victory. Gary McKechney led the offense with a double and two singles.
G McKechney (L) and R McKechney
Obey (7-0) and Ross
Dyda (W) and R McKechney
Blondeau (L) and Ross
(July 14) Regina Red Sox powered four homers in an 11-8 win over Weyburn. Harvey Johnson and Luke Moser each had a homer and single while Ed Heidt and Chris Batley had circuit clouts. Chick Springer had a three-run homer for the Beavers. Losing chucker Jerry Wenman had two doubles while Ed Wyant contributed a double and single.
Wall (W), Batley (7) and McNabb
Wenman (L) and Perras
(July 14) Hugh Carr fired a three-hitter to lead Notre Dame Hounds past Marquis 8-3. Ervin Boehm, Denny Messier, Jim Lyons and Bob Donald each had a double and single for the winners.
Difley (L), Jenkins (6) and Anderson
Carr (W) and Doetzel
(July 15) The Estevan Maple Leafs moved two games ahead of the Moose Jaw Lakers at the top of the Southern League heap when they defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 5. Ernie Dyda took over from Merv Sanderson in the third inning to pick up the win for the Maple Leafs. Jim Jankowich went the distance for Notre Dame and took the loss. Larry McWilliams was the top hitter for Estevan with a single and double. Vern Glazier had two singles for the Hounds.
Jankowich (L) and Doetzel
Sanderson, Dyda (W) (3) and R. McKechney
(July 15) The Swift Current Indians toppled the Moose Jaw Mallards 7 - 3 as Indians' chucker Leo Heit had a shut-out until the bottom of the 9th. Dick Mandzuk went all the way on the hill for the Ducks and was charged with the loss. Nick Baiton and Heit had a double and single for the Tribe while Stu Millard, Gord Johnson and Gus Twamley stroked out two singles each. Mandzuk and Wayne Young had a brace of singles for the Mallards.
Heit (W) and Johnson
Mandzuk (L) and Foord
(July 16) The Notre Dame Hounds scored a run in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat the Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 5. Phil Resch went the distance for the Hounds to get the win while Wally Blaisdell took the complete game loss for the Lakers. Ervin Boehm hit a home run, double and triple to lead the Notre Dame attack. Vern Glazier had two doubles and a single. Blaisdell and Fred Hansen hit four-baggers for Moose Jaw.
Blaisdell (L) and Hunchuk
Resch (W) and Doetzel
(July 16) The Regina Red Sox started off with a flurry in the first three innings and then coasted to a 12 - 4 win over the Moose Jaw Mallards. Winning pitcher Al Ash of the Red Sox went into the fifth but was replaced by Tommy Leverick after developing a sore arm. Moose Jaw starter and loser, Joe Benaschuk, faced only five Regina batters in the opening frame before being driven from the hill. Denny Cochrane had two doubles and a pair of singles to pace the Redlegs at the dish. Left fielder Larry Bachiu had three singles. Luke Moser swatted a double and single. Ken McEachern added two singles. Roberto Zayas and Terry Wasley hit two singles apiece for the Mallards.
Benaschuk (L), Knelson (1), MacKay (2) and Foord
Ash (W), Leverick (5) and McNabb
(July 17) Wally Blaisdell of the Moose Jaw Lakers and Ed Wyant of the Weyburn Beavers are tied for top spot in the individual batting race of the Southern League with .388 averages in the latest released statistics. Each player has collected 31 hits in 80 times at bat
The Top Ten Hitters
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Lakers) 31 - 80 .388
Ed Wyant (Weyburn Beavers) 31 - 80 .388
Jim Lyons (Notre Dame Hounds) 24 - 63 .381
Terry Wasley (Moose Jaw Mallards) 26 - 74 .351
Barry Trapp (Balcarres Braves) 29 - 84 .345
Nick Baiton (Swift Current Indians) 31 - 92 .337
Murray Jenkins (Marquis Wheat Kings) 24 - 72 .333
Alex Lypka (Balcarres Braves) 27 - 82 .329
Nasie Schnell (Estevan Maple Leafs) 18 - 57 .316
Lyle Thompson (Estevan Maple Leafs) 24 - 77 .312
Hits - Blaisdell, Wyant and Baiton - all tied with 31
Home Runs - Blaisdell (6)
Triples - Larry Trapp (Balcarres Braves) and Ken Townsend (Notre Dame Hounds) - tied with 3
Doubles - Buzz Bent (Weyburn Beavers), Dan Garinger (Weyburn Beavers) and Jerry Wenman (Weyburn Beavers) - all tied with 7
Merv Sanderson of the Estevan Maple Leafs is leading the pitchers with an 8 - 0 mark. He is closely followed by Art Obey of the Balcarres Braves who has chalked up 7 victories against no setbacks.
Top Five Pitchers
Merv Sanderson (Estevan Maple Leafs) 8 - 0 1.000
Art Obey (Balcarres Braves) 7 - 0 1.000
Jerry Wenman (Weyburn Beavers) 7 - 2 .777
Vic Wall (Regina Red Sox) 5 - 2 .714
Wayne LeBere (Moose Jaw Lakers) 5 - 3 .625
(July 17) The Moose Jaw Lakers moved to within a game and a half of the league-leading Estevan Maple Leafs by defeating them 3 - 2. Down 2 - 0, the Lakers rallied to tie the score in the 8th and then scored the winning tally in the 9th. Southpaw Ray Nutzhorn went the distance on the hill for the Lakers to pick up the win. Loser Lyle Thompson also went the route. Both chuckers surrendered seven hits. George Hunchuk led the Lakers at bat with a double and single. Barney Krake was the top hitter for Estevan with two singles.
Nutzhorn (W) and Hunchuk
Thompson (L) and R. McKechney
(July 17) The Weyburn Beavers moved into sole possession of third place in the Southern League by downing the Balcarres Braves 10 - 5. The Beavers took a 3 - 0 first inning lead and were never headed, driving Braves' chucker Art Obey from the mound in the sixth and handing him his first loss of the campaign. Ed Wyant went the distance for Weyburn. Weyburn's top hitters were Dan Garinger with a double and two singles, Wyant with a triple and single and Alvin Josephson with a bases-empty home run and a single. Norm Goodwill and John Ross each picked up three singles for the Braves. Jerome Walker chipped in with a double and two singles and Don Dreger had a bases-empty homer and single.
Obey (L), Goodwill (6) and Ross
Wyant (W) and Perras
(July 18) The Estevan Maple Leafs picked up their 16th win of the season and padded their first place cushion by taking down the Swift Current Indians 11 - 6 in the first of two weekend meetings between these clubs. Estevan's Merv Sanderson picked up his 10th win of the season in holding the Indians to 7 hits. Harvey Pederson started on the hill for the Tribe but didn't get past the fifth. Nasie Schnell led Estevan, hitting a home run and single. Gary McKechney and Jonas Fornwald each hit two singles while Sanderson had a circuit clout. Top hitter for Swift Current was Jim Wright with a pair of singles. Clint Cory slammed a home run for the Indians.
Sanderson (W 10-0) and R. McKechney
Pederson (L), McLeod (6) and Johnson
(July 18) Marquis Wheat Kings trounced Moose Jaw Mallards 16-4 at Marquis. (No details available.)
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(July 19) The Swift Current Indians rebounded to even their weekend series with the Estevan Maple Leafs by edging the visitors 10 - 9. Other than facing one batter in the 8th inning, Leo Heit twirled the remaining 8 2/3 frames for Swift Current to pick up the win. Loser Ernie Dyda went the distance for Estevan. Terry Burns hit a double, triple and two singles to lead the Indians' hit parade. Jackie McLeod contributed a double and single. Larry McWilliams was the top batsman for the Leafs with a triple and two singles while Gary McKechney and Harold Schnell had two singles apiece.
Dyda (L) and Kraychy, R. McKechney (8)
Heit (W), McLeod (8), Heit (8) and Johnson
(July 20) Connecting for 15 hits, the Regina Red Sox handed the Moose Jaw Lakers a 12 - 5 pasting. Regina's Arnie Floyd hurled 8 2/3 innings to get the win. Moose Jaw's Ray Nutzhorn was the loser. Harvey Johnson sparked the Red Sox attack with two triples and a single. Lionel Ruhr had a triple and double while Luke Moser hit a triple and single. Denny Cochrane and Floyd ripped out a double and single apiece. Art Rennie had a brace of one-baggers. Charlie Elsom swatted three singles to lead Moose Jaw. Murray Smail, Herb Lovett, George Hunchuk and Wally Blaisdell all cranked out a pair of raps for the Lakers.
Nutzhorn (L), Bell (7), Nutzhorn (8), Bell (8) and Hunchuk
Floyd (W), Heidt (9) and McNabb
(July 21) Guy Blondeau threw a six-hitter and struck out six to lead the Balcarres Braves to a 10 - 3 win over the Moose Jaw Mallards. Right-hander Merv Knelson was the loser. Dick Meyer had three hits for the winners while Don Dreger, John Ross and Jerome Walker had a pair.
Blondeau (W) and John Walker
Knelson (L), MacKay (8) and Beitel
(July 22) Behind the heavy hitting of Wally Blaisdell and the steady pitching of Wayne LeBere, the Moose Jaw Lakers knocked off the Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 3. The win moved the Lakers to within a game and a half of the front-running Estevan Maple Leafs. Blaisdell collected two singles, a double and a grand-slam home run off loser Phil Resch to dismantle the struggling Dogs. LeBere pitched a six-hitter and struck out seven. Other Lakers' batsmen of prominence were Fred Hansen with a double and single and Murray Smail with two singles. For Notre Dame, Vern Glazier had two singles.
Resch (L) and Doetzel
LeBere (W) and Smith
(July 23) The Swift Current Indians moved into fourth place in the Southern League by downing the Moose Jaw Lakers 3 - 1. Leo Heit pitched the complete game win for the Indians, striking out five, in besting Moose Jaw's Ray Nutzhorn. The Lakers out-hit the Tribe 8 - 5 but Heit kept them in check when it mattered most. Moose Jaw's George Hunchuk was the game's leading hitter with two singles and a double. Herb Lovett collected a double and single while Nutzhorn had two singles. No hitter in the Swift Current line-up had more than one safety.
Nutzhorn (L) and Hunchuk
Heit (W) and Johnson
(July 23) The Balcarres Braves dropped the Regina Red Sox into fifth place in the Southern League when they administered a 9 - 4 pasting on the Reginans. Art Obey went the distance for the Braves to pick up his 8th win against one setback. Balcarres hammered loser Tommy Leverick for seven runs in the first two frames to take a commanding lead. John Ross had four singles for the Braves while Jerome Walker hit two doubles and a triple. Regina's top hitter was Denny Cochrane with three singles.
Leverick (L), Heidt (2) and McNabb
Obey (W) and Ross
(July 24) Weyburn Beavers took over second spot in the Southern League standings with a 9-5 win over Notre Dame Hounds. A four-run outburst in the bottom of the 8th inning provided the margin of victory for the Beavers who got a two-run homer from Buzz Bent and two doubles by winning pitcher Ed Wyant. Vern Glazier had a homer and two singles for the Hounds. Dick Regier and Keith Covert also had two hits for Weyburn. Notre Dame reliever Glen Campbell was tagged with the loss.
Jankowich, Campbell (L) (7) and Doetzel
Covert, Wyant (W) (8) and Perras
(July 24) Gord Dougherty and George Guillaume each had three hits to lead Marquis to a 10-6 win over Moose Jaw Mallards. George Cannon and Murray Jenkins each rapped out a pair of hits off loser Colin MacKay. For the Ducks, Fergie Olver and Dennis Williams had two singles apiece.
MacKay (L) and Beitel
Jenkins (W), Skeoch (8) and Anderson
(July 25) Swift Current Indians shaded Balcarres 6-5 in the lid-lifter of a weekend series. Trailing 5 - 2 in the 8th, the Indians rallied for four tallies to take the win and saddle the Braves' Art Obey with his second defeat. Jackie McLeod got the win in relief. Clint Cory had two singles for the Tribe while Gord Johnson hit a home run. Dick Meyer hit two singles and a double for Balcarres.
Obey (L) and Ross
Pederson, Hoffman (5), McLeod (W) (5) and Johnson
(July 25) Regina Red Sox scored in the bottom of the 9th inning to take a 7-6 decision from the Notre Dame Hounds. Lionel Ruhr's sacrifice fly brought home Ed Heidt with the winning run. Heidt had previously reached base off loser Hugh Carr. Ken Kober picked up the complete game win for the Red Stockings. Larry Bachiu and Ruhr had a triple and single apiece for the winners. Carr, Ed Doetzel, Vern Glazier and Art Sorenson each rapped out two singles for the Hounds.
Carr (L), Resch (9) and Doetzel
Kober (W) and McNabb
(July 26) Swift Current swept its weekend series against Balcarres dumping the Braves 15-10. Jackie McLeod, this time out of the bullpen in the first inning, picked up his second win in the weekend series. John Ross, the Braves' regular catcher, started on the mound for Balcarres but was hammered early and often, exiting the hill in the second as the eventual loser. Gus Twamley hit two singles and a double for the Tribe while Clint Cory came through with three singles. Stu Millard and Jim Wright each added two hits. Don Dreger had two singles and a triple for the Braves. Ross and Barry Trapp each collected two singles while Jerome Walker homered.
Ross (L), Townsend (2), Obey (4), John Walker (7) and John Walker, Ross (2)
Heit, McLeod (W)(1) and Johnson
(July 26) Estevan Maple Leafs took both ends of a double-header with Marquis, downing the Wheat Kings 5-4 in the opener and 12-8 in a five-inning nightcap. The double wins give the Leafs a two game bulge over the second place Weyburn Beavers. First baseman Gary McKechney's single in the seventh off loser George Guillaume drove in Nasie Schnell with the winning run in the opener. Ernie Dyda, out of the bullpen in the third, picked up the win. Lyle Thompson and Nasie Schnell had two hits for Estevan. Harold Schnell drilled a two-run triple. For the Wheat Kings, Murray Jenkins had a trio of base blows and Clare Anderson a pair.
Thompson, Dyda (W) (3) and R McKechney
Guillaume (L) and Anderson
Merv Sanderson picked up his 11th win in the curfew-halted second game. Jim Linnell took the loss. Lyle Thompson cracked out three hits for Estevan, including a double. Nasie Schnell and Ron McKechney had two knocks each, one of Schnell's a bases-loaded triple. Clare Anderson led Marquis' offense with two singles.
Sanderson (W 11-0) and R. McKechney
Linnell (L) and Anderson
(July 26) Weyburn Beavers topped Moose Jaw Lakers 6-3 at Rowletta. (No details available.)
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(July 27) The Notre Dame Hounds pushed across a run in the bottom of the 10th to defeat the Moose Jaw Lakers 10 - 9. The Hounds scored their winning run when Frank Germann singled, moved to second on a sacrifice and romped home on Dennis Messier's single off loser Wayne LeBere. Phil Resch went all the way on the hill for the winners. Resch collected a pair of singles in addition to his mound duties. Germann had two hits, including a double, while Messier kicked in with two singles. Charlie Elsom had a double and two-run homer for the Lakers. LeBere also hit a two-run shot.
Nutzhorn, LeBere (L) (7) and Hunchuk
Resch (W) and Doetzel
(July 28) Keith Covert and Ed Wyant combined on a four-hitter as Weyburn blanked Notre Dame 4-0. Danny Garinger was the offensive force with four hits, four runs and three stolen bases. The victory strengthened Weyburn's hold on second place in the Southern League.
Covert (W), Wyant (8) and Perras
Jankowich (L) and Germann
(July 28) A six-run fourth inning carried Marquis to a 12-7 victory over the Moose Jaw Mallards. Clare Anderson and Dalton Skeoch each had three hits for the Wheat Kings. George Guillaume went the distance for the win and helped out at the plate with a double and single. Dennis Williams led the Ducks with a pair of singles.
Guillaume (W) and Anderson
Knelson (L) and Foord
(July 29) Regina Red Sox and Marquis Wheat Kings replayed their draw of June 23rd at the Rowletta tournament. George Cannon's two-run homer in the seventh handled the Wheat Kings a 5-4 triumph.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(July 30) The cellar-dwelling Moose Jaw Mallards upset Regina Red Sox 6-2 behind a five-hit pitching performance by Joe Benaschuk. Catcher Joe Foord had the big blow for the winners with a two-run homer. Foord also had a single off loser Ed Heidt. Fergie Olver added three singles. Vic Wall and Denny Cochrane each had a brace of singles for the Reginans.
Heidt (L) and McNabb
Benaschuk (W) and Foord
(July 30) Notre Dame scored in the 9th inning to post a 6-5 win over Balcarres. Phil Resch scattered ten hits to claim the pitching victory. Art Sorenson and Jim Lyons led Notre Dame at bat with two singles each. Dick Meyer had a triple and single to pace Balcarres at the plate. Losing pitcher Art Obey had a double and single while Jerry Walker and Barry Trapp had two singles each.
Resch (W) and Doetzel
Obey (L) and Ross
(July 30) Marquis Wheat Kings took advantage of eight Moose Jaw errors to top the Lakers 12-5. Murray Jenkins belted a pair of homers and Dalton Skeoch added a solo shot. Wally Blaisdell had a homer for the Lakers. Jim Linnell was the winner. Bob Baker and Charlie Elsom had two hits each for the Lakers, one of Baker's being a double.
Blaisdell (L), Nutzhorn (8) and Lovett
Linnell (W) and Anderson
(July 31) The Weyburn Beavers dropped an 11 - 6 decision to the Balcarres Braves in Southern League action as Norm Goodwill fanned 12 batters to get the win over Jerry Wenman. John Ross hit four singles for the Braves and Don Dreger had three. Balcarres' Barry Trapp slapped a brace of singles. Cece McCarron had two hits for Weyburn.
Wenman (L) and Perras
Goodwill (W) and Ross
(July 31) The Swift Current Indians moved into second place ahead of the Weyburn Beavers when they whipped the Moose Jaw Mallards 8 - 1. Although needing relief help from Clarence "Lefty" Hoffman, Terry Burns picked up the win over Moose Jaw's Colin MacKay. Nick Baiton swatted three singles for the Tribe while Clint Cory had a double and single.
MacKay (L) and Foord
Burns (W), Hoffman (8) and Johnson
(July 31) The front-running Estevan Maple Leafs thumped the Notre Dame Hounds 14 - 1 as winning pitcher Gary McKechney set the Dogs down on six hits. Notre Dame starter Glen Campbell took the loss. Bob Jackson paced the Leafs offensively with a home run and double while Lyle Thompson, Barney Krake and McKechney all had three singles. Larry McWilliams had a double and single. For Notre Dame, Ervin Boehm hit three singles.
G. McKechney (W) and R. McKechney
Campbell (L), Jankowich (4) and Doetzel
(August 1) Moose Jaw Mallards took a pair from Weyburn 9-8, in 11 innings, and 14-7. Mallards had 16 hits in the opener and 22 hits in the second game. Terry Wasley drove in the winning run in the first game. Dennis Williams led the winners with five hits. Shortstop Russ Kindred had the only homer, an inside the park clout. Jerry Wenman had four hits for the losers.
Williams and Wasley combined for eight hits in the second game to lead Mallards to the win.
Mandzuk (W) and Foord
Wyant (L) and Perras
Knelson (W) and Foord
Franks (L), Josephson (3) and Perras
(August 1) Jackie McLeod hurled a three-hitter to lead Swift Current to a 4-1 win over Saskatoon Macs and the Saskatchewan senior baseball championship. It was the first time in 25 years that a provincial champ had been determined. Saturday's event was the culmination of a series of tournaments. McLeod, the Indians playing-manager, faced just 28 batters, allowing a homer run to Macs' first baseman Ted McKenzie and two base runners on singles, wiped out on double plays. He chalked up 11 strikeouts. Centre fielder Terry Burns had three hits for the winners and catcher Gordon Johnson had a pair.
Saskatoon 1 Swift Current 4
Campbell (L) and J Goodwin
McLeod (W) and Johnson
The Indians cruised to the final with a 12-3 triumph over Estevan. Leo Heit held the Maple Leafs to six hits and helped out with two hits. Gordon Johnson provided the offensive punch with a homer to lead off a six-run outburst in the second inning and a three-run double in the third.
Swift Current 12 Estevan 3
Heit (W) and Johnson
Sanderson (L), Dyda (3) and R McKechney, H Schnell (8)
Keith Swan drove in Johnny Goodwin, who had walked, with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Saskatoon a 5-4 win over Melville. The Millionaires had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the 9th with a three-run rally, one run scoring on pitcher Cliff Mein's steal of home. Macs bounced back to knot the score with a run in the bottom of the 9th. Six errors proven costly to the losers.
Melville 4 Saskatoon 5
Sawchuk, Mein (L) (6) and Boyle
Richard, Campbell (9), Richard (9), Campbell (W) (9) and T McKenzie
(August 2) Balcarres Braves broke loose for five runs in the 8th inning to down Moose Jaw Mallards 9-7 as each team made eight errors. Barry Trapp's bases-loaded triple was the key blow. Alec Lypka and Gary Walker each contributed three hits. Dennis Williams had three safeties for the Mallards.
McNaughton, Knelson (L) (7) and Foord
Obey, Warsey (W) (6) and Ross
(August 2) Marquis topped Swift Current 9-4 as Jim Linnell held the Indians to six hits, all singles.
Pederson (L), Twamley (2), McLeod (2), Pederson (3) and Johnson, Millard (2)
J Linnell (W) and Anderson
(August 2) Moose Jaw Lakers downed Estevan Maple Leafs 6-1 behind the four-hit pitching of Ray Nutzhorn. George Hunchuk and Baldy Smith led the Moose Jaw batters with a pair of raps each.
R Nutzhorn (W) and Hunchuk
Thompson (L), Sanderson (7) and Kraychy
(August 3) Denny Cochrane walked with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning to drive in Harvey Johnson as Regina Red Sox rallied for three runs in their last at bat to shade Marquis 10-9. Cochrane paced the winners driving in five runs on three safeties. Murray Jenkins drove in six runs for the losers with a triple and two singles. Rounding out the top hitters were Larry Bachiu of the Sox and George Guillaume of the Wheat Kings who both had two hits.
Thorseth, Difley (7), Linnell (L) (9), Jenkins (9) and Skeoch
Kober, Floyd (W) (6) and McNabb
(August 4) The Regina Red Sox suffered a severe blow to their playoff hopes when they dropped a 7 - 4 decision to the Moose Jaw Lakers in a darkness shortened, 8-inning game. The loss dropped the Red Sox into fifth place, 1/2 game behind the Lakers. Moose Jaw exploded for five runs in the third inning to knock Red Sox' starter and loser Vic Wall from the hill. Ray Nutzhorn allowed 8 hits in recording the win. Wally Blaisdell was the big gun for the winners with a home run and double. George Hunchuk, Charlie Elsom and Murray Smail all had a brace of base knocks for Moose Jaw. Harvey Johnson hit a solo home run for the Sox while Art Rennie and Luke Moser each collected a pair of singles.
Wall (L), Heidt (3) and McNabb
Nutzhorn (W) and Hunchuk
(August 4) The Weyburn Beavers consolidated their hold on third place in the Southern League by stopping the last-place Moose Jaw Mallards. Keith Covert pitched the Beavers to victory, allowing seven hits, and also picked up two doubles and a single from within the batter's box. Moose Jaw's Joe Benaschuk was driven from the mound early and took the loss. Ed Wyant had two hits for Weyburn. Denny Williams led the Mallards at bat with three singles.
Benaschuk (L), MacKay (3) and Olver
Covert (W) and Perras
(August 5) The Moose Jaw Lakers just about squelched any hope the Regina Red Sox have of making the Southern League playoffs when they took both ends of a doubleheader by 3 - 1 and 6 - 2 margins over the Balcarres Braves. The opener went 14 innings before Moose Jaw picked up two runs to wrap it up. Wayne LeBere got the win in a tight pitching match with Norm Goodwill of the Braves as both chuckers went the entire 14 frames. Barry Trapp's triple was the only extra-base blow of the contest.
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
Goodwill (L) and Ross
Wally Blaisdell fashioned a five-hitter in picking up the win in the nightcap over Art Obey. Obey pitched a three-hitter but seven defensive miscues led to his downfall. Blaisdell had two singles for Moose Jaw. Battery-mate George Hunchuk had a triple. Jerry Walker with a solo homer and a single led the Balcarres offense.
Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk
Obey (L) and Ross
(August 7) George Guillaume tossed a seven-hitter and bashed a two-run homer and a pair of singles to lead Marquis to a 9-4 decision over Weyburn. Bernard Cannon added a two-run homer and single for the Wheat Kings.
Guillaume (W) and Anderson
Wenman, Covert (L) (3) and Perras
(August 8) In a game called after 10 innings because of darkness, Swift Current and Regina fought to a 5-5 draw.
(August 8) Estevan whipped Moose Jaw Mallards 25-5 in the first game of a double-header. The teams fought to a 1-1 tie in the second contest. Ron McKechney had a big day for the Maple Leafs driving in six runs with a double and five singles. Bob Davis added a triple and three singles. In the second game, Merv Sanderson of the Maple Leafs fanned 18 before the game was called because of darkness. Barney Krake had two singles for Estevan, the only player on either club with more than one hit.
Dyda (W) Harbourne (5) and xxx
Mandzuk (L), MacKay (5) and xxx
Sanderson and xxx
Benaschuk and xxx
(August 9) In the continuation of Friday's 5-5 tie, Swift Current shaded Regina 6-5. Jackie McLeod picked up the win in relief, while Arnie Floyd took the complete game loss. Indians' catcher Gord Johnson led the winners at the dish with a double and single. The Regina defeat eliminated the defending champion Red Sox from playoff contention.
Heit, Holdaway (1), McLeod (W) (10) and xxx
Floyd (L) and xxx
In the regularly scheduled game, Regina topped Swift Current 7-4. Luke Moser led the attack with a double and two singles. Larry Bachiu had a homer for the winners. Chris Batley, with relief help from Ed Heidt, picked up the win.
Batley (W), Heidt and xxx
Pederson (L), McLeod (7) and xxx
(August 9) Estevan Maple Leafs wrapped up the regular season with a sweep of a twin-bill from Marquis Wheat Kings 7-3 and 9-8. Lyle Thompson took the win in the first game and Ernie Dyda captured the win in the second, and, in the process, clinched the Southern League regular-season pennant.
Thompson (W) and xxx
Jenkins (L) and xxx
Dyda (W) and xxx
Difley (L) and xxx
FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
Estevan Maple Leafs 22 9
S-Current Indians 19 13 3.5
Moose Jaw Lakers 19 13 3.5
Weyburn Beavers 18 14 4.5
Regina Red Sox 17 15 5.5
Balcarres Braves 15 17 7.5
Marquis Wheat Kings 14 18 8.5
Notre Dame Hounds 12 20 10.5
Moose Jaw Mallards 7 24 15.0
PLAYOFFS :
(August 12) The Weyburn Beavers took a 1 - 0 lead in their best-of-three Southern League semi-final by up-ending the pennant-winning Estevan Maple Leafs 7 - 2. The Beavers started strongly and shoved five runs across the plate in the first inning, knocking out Estevan starter and loser Ernie Dyda, and then scoring another pair in the second. Keith Covert was the Weyburn hurler, going all the way in the seven inning contest to pick up the victory. Jerry Wenman, Don Perras and Dick Regier each had a single and double for the Beavers. Chick Springer contributed a two-run double. Gary McKechney led Estevan batters with a bases-empty home run and a double.
Dyda (L), G. McKechney (1) and Kraychy
Covert (W) and Perras
(August 14) The Moose Jaw Lakers edged the Swift Current Indians 3 - 1 in the opening game of their best-of-three playoff series. Moose Jaw's Ray Nutzhorn, supported by three double plays, limited the Indians to seven hits in picking up the win. Loser Leo Heit gave up only five hits but his teammates' offense stalled as the Lakers' infield sparkled defensively. Fred Hansen singled twice to lead the Lakers' hitting parade. Nick Baiton had a double and single for the Tribe while Jackie McLeod banged out a pair of singles.
Heit (L) and Johnson
Nutzhorn (W) and Hunchuk
(August 14) The Weyburn Beavers and Estevan Maple Leafs played to a 4 - 4 tie in the second game of their semi-final series. The contest was halted after seven innings because of darkness. The Leafs led 4 - 0 entering the sixth but Weyburn picked up a single marker in the top of that frame and three more in their final turn at bat to deadlock the score. Jerry Wenman pitched the entire game for Weyburn, giving up five hits. Merv Sanderson hurled the bulk of the game for the Leafs. Dan Garinger was Weyburn's top hitter with a triple and single. Larry McWilliams had a double and single for Estevan.
Wenman and Perras
Sanderson, Harbourne (7), Sanderson (7) and Kraychy
(August 15) The Swift Current Indians knotted their best-of-three series with the Moose Jaw Lakers at one game apiece by edging the Lakers 4 - 2 in a contest called after 6 1/2 innings because of darkness. Jackie McLeod threw a three-hitter at Moose Jaw for the win over Wayne LeBere. McLeod's bat was also prominent as he slammed a double that drove in two important runs for the Tribe. Ray Nutzhorn of the Lakers led his club in the hitting department with a double and single.
LeBere (L) and Hunchuk
McLeod (W) and Johnson
(August 16) The Estevan Maple Leafs moved back into the thick of things in the playoffs when they posted a 9 - 7 triumph over the Weyburn Beavers. The Estevan win squared the series at one game each. Both clubs used two chuckers and both starters were the pitchers of record as Estevan's Gary McKechney got the win over Keith Covert of the Beavers. McKechney helped his own cause by hitting a three-run triple in the seventh. Harold Schnell had two singles for the winners. First baseman Ed Wyant doubled and singled for the Beavers while Buzz Bent and Elmer Franks each hit a pair of singles.
Covert (L), Franks (7) and Perras, Springer (7)
G. McKechney (W), Sanderson (8) and Kraychy, R. McKechney (4)
(August 16) The Swift Current Indians qualified for the Southern League final series after downing the Moose Jaw Lakers 4 - 2 in the third game of their showdown. Swift Current scored three runs in the 8th inning, highlighted by backstop Gord Johnson's two-run homer, to capture the comeback win and eliminate the Lakers. Leo Heit went the distance for the pitching win while Wally Blaisdell was hit with the loss. Both chuckers gave up six hits. Ray Nutzhorn singled three times for Moose Jaw and scored both of their runs. The Indians now await the winner of the Estevan - Weyburn series.
Heit (W) and Johnson
Blaisdell (L) and Hunchuk
(August 17) It will be the Weyburn Beavers facing the Swift Current Indians in the Southern League final series following the Beavers convincing 14 - 5 thrashing of the Estevan Maple Leafs in game three of their semi-final series. Ed Wyant struck out seven while scattering 9 hits for the pitching win. Estevan used three hurlers with starter Merv Sanderson being saddled with the loss. Wyant and Dan Garinger shared batting honors for Weyburn, both coming through with a double and two singles. Dick Regier and Don Perras both had a brace of raps while Chick Springer belted a three-run homer. Catcher Ron McKechney had two home runs and a single for Estevan. Bob Jackson contributed a pair of hits.
Sanderson (L), Dyda (6), Thompson (7) and R. McKechney
Wyant (W) and Perras
Playoffs - Final
(August 19) In the opener of the best-of-five final series, Swift Current Indians took a 8-5 victory over Weyburn Beavers. Swift Current scored seven times in the first two frames and gave winning pitcher Jackie McLeod the runs he needed to go the rest of the way. McLeod tossed six-hit ball. Loser Jerry Wenman was shelled from the mound in the first inning. Terry Burns and Gord Johnson were the leading hitters for the Indians with a homer and single each. Harvey Pederson had two singles. Dan Garinger had a single and double for the Beavers while Ed Wyant cracked a two-run homer.
McLeod (W) and Johnson
Wenman (L), Covert (1) and Perras
(August 20) Jackie McLeod of Swift Current has been selected as the Southern League's Most Valuable Player. The Indians' playing manager was chosen by league managers and coaches. Weyburn's Eddie Wyant was the runner-up over Wally Blaisdell of Moose Jaw Lakers. Lionel Ruhr of Southey was the 1958 MVP.
(August 20) Barry Trapp of the Balcarres Braves was selected as the Southern League's Rookie of the Year. Fred Hansen of the Moose Jaw Lakers finished second in the voting by league managers and coaches.
(August 22) Gord Johnson's homer in the bottom of the 11th inning gave Swift Current a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Weyburn and a 2-0 game lead in their playoff series. In the bottom of the 9th frame, Leo Heit clubbed a two-run homer to send the game into extra innings. Heit had been driven from the hill in the first inning when Weyburn opened with three runs. Johnson, Jackie McLeod, Nick Baiton and Terry Burns each had three hits for the winners. Losing pitcher Keith Covert led the Beavers with three hits, followed by Ed Wyant and Cece McCarron who both had a pair of base raps.
Covert (L) and Perras
Heit, Pederson (W) (1) and Johnson
(August 23) Jackie McLeod led Swift Current to the Southern Baseball League title as he pitched a seven-hitter and helped the offense with five hits as the Indians trounced Weyburn 19-3 to take the best-of-five final series in three straight games. Gord Johnson carried the big stick with four hits, including a pair of homers. Leo Heit had a homer and Clint Cory had four safeties. Buzz Bent had three hits for the Beavers while catcher Don Perras was 2 for 4.
Wyant, (L) Wenman (3), Franks (5) and Perras
McLeod (W) and Johnson
(September 1) Merv Sanderson of the pennant-winning Estevan Maple Leafs chalked up an impressive 11 - 0 mark in Southern League play this season to capture the "Doc" Hughes memorial trophy, emblematic of the league's leading pitcher. Playing-manager Jackie McLeod of the league champion Swift Current Indians was runner-up with a 6 - 0 record.
(September 10) In a close race to the finish, George Hunchuk of the Moose Jaw Lakers captured the Southern League's individual batting crown and the Dave Dryburgh memorial trophy. Hunchuk finished with a .383 average on 36 hits in 94 times at bat. Close behind was Ed Wyant of the Weyburn Beavers who collected 45 hits in 118 times at bat for a .381 average. Jerome Walker of the Balcarres Braves took third spot with .380 and Wally Blaisdell of the Lakers hit the ball at a .371 clip to capture fourth place. Blaisdell also placed first in three categories -- runs scored, hits and home runs.
Top Ten Batters
George Hunchuk (Moose Jaw Lakers) 36 - 94 .383
Ed Wyant (Weyburn Beavers) 45 - 118 .381
Jerome Walker (Balcarres Braves) 35 - 92 .380
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Lakers) 46 - 124 .371
Murray Jenkins (Marquis Wheat Kings) 44 - 119 .370
Gary McKechney (Estevan Maple Leafs) 34 - 94 .362
Jim Lyons (Notre Dame Hounds) 35 - 98 .357
John Ross (Balcarres Braves) 43 - 121 .355
Nick Baiton (Swift Current Indians) 44 - 132 .333
Lyle Thompson (Estevan Maple Leafs) 39 - 118 .331
Runs Scored - Blaisdell (38)
Hits - Blaisdell (46)
Home Runs - Blaisdell (10)
Triples - Lionel Ruhr (Regina Red Sox), Terry Wasley (Moose Jaw Mallards) and Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Mallards) - all tied with 4
Doubles - Hunchuk, Wyant, Dalton Skeoch (Marquis Wheat Kings) and Buzz Bent (Weyburn Beavers) - all tied with 10