SOUTHERN LEAGUE
In 1948, 5 of the 8 teams which were part of the 1947 circuit (Moose Jaw Canucks, Notre Dame Hounds, Regina Red Sox, Weyburn Beavers and Wilcox Cardinals) returned to the fold under the same banner. Another 1947 team called the Long Lake Eagles now became known as the Liberty Eagles. Two of the three 1947 franchises from Regina (Regina Clippers and Regina Pontiacs) disbanded and were replaced by the Regina Caps and a second entry from Moose Jaw, the expansion Purity 99's, also known as the Oilmen, joined the fray.
Highlight of the season - Perfect game thrown by Weyburn pitcher Gaylen Shupe on June 18th
1948 Game Summaries :
(May 29) In opening round Southern League action, the Regina Caps thumped the Moose Jaw Canucks 10 - 5. The Capital city crew showed terrific power in every department, blasting three Canuck pitchers for 15 hits. Bill Kyle led the Caps' assault with three hits including a home run and a double. Also with three safeties were Frank Smith and Sully Glasser. High schooler Lloyd Woolley hurled a brilliant six-hitter for the Caps to pick up the win. Canucks' starter and loser Lefty Straub was driven from the mound in the 3rd.
Woolley (W) and G. Kyle
Straub (L), J. Devine (3), Compton (7) and Smith
(May 29) A new Southern League entry, the Moose Jaw Oilmen, behind the stellar chucking of Elmer Torgerson, won their very first game blanking the Regina Red Sox 7 - 0. Torgerson was pretty well the show as he fanned 13 and gave up only five hits in posting the shutout win. The Red Sox sent Athol Foster to the hill but he was unable to silence the bats of the Oilmen and was pulled in favor of Ralph McCleneghan who also struggled. Center fielder Gwynne Lovett, catcher Stubby Martin, third baseman Ray Jones and second sacker Ted Foord all had two hits for the Oilmen (a.k.a the Purity 99's).
Torgerson (W) and Martin
Foster (L), McCleneghan (6) and Mitton
(May 30) In a close encounter at Liberty, the hometown Eagles dropped a 3 - 1 decision to the Wilcox Cardinals. Three Cardinal chuckers, led by starter Walter Buttgereit who whiffed ten in his four innings of work, limited the Eagles to just four hits. Loser Lefty Arnold went five innings for Liberty. Wilcox catcher Carl Weisshaar, who broke a finger during the game, led the Redbirds offensively with three hits.
Buttgereit, A. Downton (W) (5), Drew (9) and Weisshaar
Arnold (L), Wintemute (6) and Prosofeki
(May 30) The Weyburn Beavers opened the season on a winning note by tearing into the Notre Dame Hounds to the tune of 7 - 0. Gayle Shupe went the route for the Beavers, striking out ten along the way. The Hounds outhit Weyburn 7 - 6 but erratic play in the field had them in trouble throughout the contest. The leading hitters were Blaine Shupe of the Beavers along with Norm Brown and Barry Wolstencroft of the collegians who each had two.
G. Shupe (W), Torgenrud (5) and Thompson
Kerley (L), C. Huck (6) and Brown
(June 2) Trailing by one run and being held in check by the pitching of the Beavers' Mel Torgenrud, the Regina Caps scored single tallies in the bottom of the 7th and 8th to defeat an effervescent and stubborn Weyburn squad 6 - 5. Caps' starter Chris Gerein picked up the victory although struggling for most of the eight innings he worked. Jackie Fulton's squeeze bunt brought home the winning run for the Reginans. Top hitter in the game was the Soo Liners' Gayle Shupe with three safeties. Tony Righetti homered for the Caps.
Torgenrud (L) and White
Gerein (W), Silverman (9) and G. Kyle
(June 2) The Oilmen of Moose Jaw staged a 9th inning rally to nose out the Regina Red Sox 10 - 9. In a thrilling story book finish, third baseman Ray Jones smashed out a long double to score Ted Foord with the winning run. Elmer Torgerson, Moose Jaw's right handed starter, had a comfortable lead when he relinquished mound chores to Don Devine in the 7th. Devine got nicked for six hits and six runs in the final three frames that saw the Sox knot the count at 9 - 9. Leading the 17 hit Purity 99's attack were middle infielders Tony Naka and Normie Dunne with three apiece. Catcher Gord Mitton of the Sox also had three safeties. Lefthander Cliff Harrison, who surrendered pinch-hitter Foord's 9th inning hit, was tagged with the loss.
C. Harrison (L), McCleneghan (9) and Mitton
Torgerson, D. Devine (W) (7) and Starrak
(June 3) The Swift Current nine topped the barnstorming coloured team from Oklahoma 7-6. Cliff Beisel registered the pitching victory.
xxx and xxx
Beisel (W) and Phillips
(June 4) Led by Blaine Shupe who pounded out four hits in five trips to the plate and big Les Wilder who went 3 for 5, the Weyburn Beavers trounced the Moose Jaw Canucks 8 - 3. Wilder's 6th inning three run homer was the decisive clout in this game, turning the tide for the winning Beavers. Keith Covert pitched well for the winning Beavers holding the Canucks to five hits. Moose Jaw's starter Lefty Straub lasted into the 7th and took the loss.
Straub (L), Sabo (7) and Smith
Covert (W) and Thompson
(June 4) Moose Jaw's young and hustling Oilmen and the Regina Caps played to a 10 inning 1 - 1 stalemate in the first meeting this season between both undefeated teams. Both squads scored their lone tallies early and then the game settled into a tightly defensive mode. Lloyd "Schoolboy" Woolley went the distance for the Caps, fanning 11 and setting the Purity 99's down on four hits. Gord Inkster and Don Devine shared mound duties for the Oilmen. Sully Glasser of the Caps was the only batsman on either team with more than one hit, banging out a brace. The game was called after ten innings because of darkness.
Inkster, D. Devine (5) and Starrak, Martin (5)
Woolley and G. Kyle
(June 8) The Regina Caps kept their Southern League winning streak intact by taking a close 3 - 2 verdict from the stubborn Weyburn Beavers in a hurling duel between Regina's Lloyd "Schoolboy" Woolley and Weyburn veteran Gayle Shupe. The turning point in this joust came in the 4th when the Beavers came up with some loose play to allow the Caps to score a pair of unearned runs. Both clubs collected seven hits, two each by both the Kyle brothers of the Caps and two apiece by the Beavers' Gayle Shupe and Don White.
Woolley (W) and G. Kyle
G. Shupe (L) and White
(June 9) The Wilcox Cardinals kept pace with the unbeaten class when they knocked over the Weyburn Beavers 3 - 2. Aubrey Downton tossed a neat six-hitter, giving up only two unearned runs, in picking up the victory. Clint Squires with 3 for 3 led the winner's 11 hit attack against loser Keith Covert.
Covert (L) and White
A. Downton (W) and Clements
(June 9) In a clash of two winless clubs, the Moose Jaw Canucks racked up their initial victory of the Southern League's young season turning back the Regina Red Sox 1 - 0 in a tight pitching matchup between Moose Jaw newcomer Johnny Grossman and the Red Sox' Ralph McCleneghan. Both hurlers struck out six and walked four. The only run came in the last of the 8th when Canuck catcher Wally Smith was walked and scored on Neil Mitchell's triple. Doug Mearns of the Sox and 17 year old Glen "Baldy" Smith of the Canucks both had two hits.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Grossman (W) and W. Smith
(June 10) "Baseball's popularity in Regina hit a new high Wednesday night when the biggest throng in several years (over 1,400 paid) turned up at Taylor Field to see Cliff Ehrle and his Caps nosed out 6-5 by the colored Muskogee Cardinals, first touring team to appear this summer." (Regina Leader-Post, June 10, 1949) Caps had shaded the visitors 6-5 in 10 innings in an afternoon contest before a crowd of 500.
A four-run outburst in the 5th inning carried Muskogee to the win in the evening contest. Cardinals capitalized on three singles and a pair of errors. Danny Thomas scattered 11 hits to get the win.
Thomas (W) and T Taylor
Terry (L) and G Kyle
In the opener, Bill Kyle's single to centre in the 10th inning scored Sully Glasser with the winning run. Chris Gerein went the route for the win, besting Ray Woosley. Tony Righetti homered for the Caps while Jackie Fulton had three hits.
Woosley (L) and T Taylor
Gerein (W) and G Kyle
(June 11) The Regina Caps dumped the Wilcox Cardinals 8 - 2, sending the visitors from the unbeaten class while retaining their own unblemished record. Cards' starter Walter Buttgereit got a rude welcome from the Queen City hosts as he was battered for 15 hits as the Caps pounced on him in every inning. Meanwhile, Lloyd "Schoolboy" Woolley had his southpaw slants working well, tossing a six-hitter and remaining undefeated in three league starts. Caps' backstop Gus Kyle was the big poison with a 3 for 5 performance including a home run and four RBI's. Nick Metz and Brownie Clements had the most success for the Redbirds with a pair of hits apiece.
Buttgereit (L) and Clements
Woolley (W) and G. Kyle
(June 12) The Notre Dame Hounds won their first of the season, narrowly defeating the Regina Red Sox 7 - 6. The luckless Sox romped away to an early lead off the Hounds' Cy Huck but couldn't hold it as the collegians found the range on Cliff "Lefty" Harrison in the 7th and pounded him for three runs. Red Sox had the bases loaded with none out in the bottom of the 9th but failed to score the tying run after a terrific outfield catch and resulting double play by Hank Dornstauder. Barry Wolstencroft and Ralph Beattie both stroked a pair of hits for the winners. First sacker Jim Hooper led the Crimson Hose attack with three safeties.
C. Huck (W) and Brown
C. Harrison (L) and Mitton
(June 12) In the first ever meeting of the two intra-city rivals, the new and upstart Moose Jaw Oilmen knocked over the established Moose Jaw Canucks 6 - 3 in an error studded contest. Lefty Straub started for the Canucks but four hits and five errors in the first inning quickly sent him to the showers and Jack Devine took over to go the rest of the way. Meanwhile, Elmer Torgerson was putting up a six hit show for the Purity 99's to record his third victory of the season. He also chipped in with two hits.. For the Canucks, Don Gillies and Ted Sissons also had a duo of safeties.
Straub (L), J. Devine (1) and W. Smith
Torgerson (W) and Starrak, Martin
(June 13) The Regina Red Sox took it on the chin for their 5th consecutive loss as the hometown Liberty Eagles won their first in two starts by squeaking past the Reginans 7 - 6. Liberty rolled up six runs in the first three frames and, from there on in, it was an uphill battle for the Sox. Eagles' starter Cy Thorseth, although giving way to Lefty Arnold for one inning, picked up the win. Ralph McCleneghan was tagged with the loss. Denny Evenson and Shorty McLane led the Eagles with three hits apiece while the Red Sox' Gordie Knutson had a brace of safeties.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Thorseth (W), Arnold (6), Thorseth (7) and McLane
(June 13) The Notre Dame Hounds toppled the previously unbeaten Moose Jaw Oilmen 5 - 3 to improve their record to two wins against one loss in Southern League play. The Hounds fell behind fell behind 3 - 0 but battled back to square the count in the 7th and found the winning margin in the 8th. Veteran Frank Germann went the route, limiting the Purity 99's to six hits, two by catcher Jim Starrak. Moose Jaw hurling import Art Kohlstedt also pitched a complete game and took the loss. Outfielder Del Kines had three hits for the winning Dogs.
Kohlstedt (L) and Starrak
Germann (W) and Brown
(June 16) Fighting all the way, the Moose Jaw Canucks came from behind to shade the Weyburn Beavers 5 - 4 in a thrilling 10 inning contest. The Canucks were down 4 - 1 late in the game but came back to score two in the 8th and get the equalizer in the 9th to force extra innings. The Canucks' winning tally in the 10th was unearned as Bill Emerson reached base on an error, stole second and romped home on Neil Mitchell's sharp infield blow. Both chuckers, Lefty Compton of the Canucks and Weyburn's Mel Torgenrud, went the route. The only batters with more than one safety in this game were Weyburn's Don White and Les Wilder, both with a pair.
Torgenrud (L) and White
Compton (W) and W. Smith
(June 16) The tail-end Regina Red Sox finally joined the ranks of the victorious. Behind the neat six hit tossing of Athol Foster, the Redlegs cooled off the surging Notre Dame Hounds with a convincing 16 - 2 triumph. The Hounds were never in the game as the Reginans notched 14 runs in the first four frames and coasted from there, Dogs' starter Hugo Dombowsky didn't get out of the 2nd inning as he and mop up reliever Cy Huck were pasted for 16 Red Sox hits. Leading the Sox attack were Doug Mearns and Jim Hooper with three hits. Catcher Norm Brown had two safeties for the losing collegians.
Dombowsky (L), C. Huck (2) and Brown, Kines (7)
Foster (W) and Mitton
In other good news for the Red Sox, officials of the Southern League advised them that their protest in a June 2nd 10 - 9 defeat at the hands of the Moose Jaw Purity 99's had been allowed and that the game would be replayed.
(June 17) Moose Jaw's young Purity 99's wrapped up their third victory in four starts when they whipped the Liberty Eagles 9 - 3 to tighten their grip on second place in the Southern League. Elmer Torgerson relieved starter Art Kohlstedt and held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the game to get the win. Center fielder Gwynne Lovett's big bat led an 11 hit Moose Jaw attack against side-armer Cy Thorseth, slamming out three hits and driving in four runs. Big brother Herb Lovett, Ray Jones and Pete Polupski each chipped in with two base knocks for the Oilmen. One of Jones' blasts was a four bagger. Warren Martin had a pair of hits for Liberty.
Thorseth (L) and McLane
Kohlstedt, Torgerson (W) (3) and Martin
(June 18) Veteran Gayle Shupe pitched a perfect game, facing the minimum 27 batters, in leading the Weyburn Beavers past the Wilcox Cardinals by a 3 - 0 count. Not a single Cardinal reached first base as Shupe was masterful in this outing, fanning ten along the way. Aub Downton of Wilcox didn't pitch that badly but, on this particular evening, he was completely outclassed. Beavers' first baseman Les Wilder did the major offensive damage with a 4 for 4 hitting barrage.
A. Downton (L) and Clements
G. Shupe (W) and Thompson
(June 18) Chris Gerein was scintillating in throwing a three-hit shutout for the unbeaten Regina Caps as they bested the Moose Jaw Canucks 4 - 0. Batting leader Gus Kyle added to his average by pounding out 3 for 4. The Caps had a slim 1- 0 lead against losing southpaw Lloyd Compton until Frank Smith's triple in the 6th put the game on ice.
Compton (L) and W. Smith
Gerein (W) and G. Kyle
(June 19) The Regina Red Sox picked up their second consecutive win by bumping the Liberty Eagles 7 - 2. Cliff "Lefty" Harrison fanned 16 in picking up the four-hit win. The Sox pounded loser Denny Evenson to go into an early seven run lead and never looked back. Sox second baseman Jim McLean paced the winners with three hits.
Evenson (L), Arnold (6) and McLane
C. Harrison (W) and Mitton
(June 19) The Wilcox Cardinals hung it on the league leading and previously unbeaten Regina Caps 2 - 1 as Wilcox starter Jim Kirkpatrick, making his first start of the season, bested the Caps' Lloyd Woolley in a tight encounter. The Caps led 1 - 0 until the Cards rallied for two 8th inning markers to pull the game out of the fire. Walter Buttgereit of Wilcox and the Caps' trio of Roger Merlevede, Sully Glasser and Tony Righetti all had two hits in this contest.
Woolley (L) and G. Kyle
Kirkpatrick (W) and Clements
(June 20) In a free swinging affair, the Notre Dame Hounds piled up 20 base hits to 15 by their Mill City opponents and pounded the Moose Jaw Canucks 16 - 9 in a game that was anything but kind to the pitchers. Jack Devine of the Canucks and Notre Dame's Frank Germann both toiled on the hill for the entire game in spite of the offensive onslaught. Del Kines of the Diamond Dogs and Ray Nutzhorn of the Canucks each had four hits.
J. Devine (L) and W. Smith
Germann (W) and Kines
League Statistics as of June 21
Batting AB H AVE
G. Kyle - Regina Caps 25 13 .520
Kines - Notre Dame 21 10 .476
G. Lovett - Moose Jaw Oilmen 15 7 .467
Smith - Regina Caps 16 7 .437
Brown - Notre Dame 19 8 .421
Martin - Moose Jaw Oilmen 10 4 .400
Starrak - Moose Jaw Oilmen 8 3 .375
Wilder - Weyburn 27 10 .370
Squires - Wilcox 19 7 .368
McLane - Liberty 11 4 .364
Evenson - Liberty 14 5 .357
Merlevede - Regina Caps 20 7 .350
Glasser - Regina Caps 26 9 .346
G. Shupe - Weyburn 27 9 .333
Knutson - Regina Red Sox 27 9 .333
Mearns - Regina Red Sox 21 7 .333
Nutzhorn - Moose Jaw Canucks 15 5 .333
Torgerson - Moose Jaw Oilmen 9 3 .333
Pitching W L PCT
Elmer Torgerson - M. Jaw Oilmen 3 0 1.000
Chris Gerein - Regina Caps 2 0 1.000
Frank Germann - Notre Dame 2 0 1.000
Lloyd Woolley - Regina Caps 3 1 .750
(June 22) The Weyburn Beavers gave Red Sox pitching a rough ride as they trimmed the Reginans 9 - 1. The Beavers got to starting hurler Ralph McCleneghan for 12 hits including a first inning homer by Gayle Shupe. The Red Sox could only collect five hits, all singles, off the offerings of winning hurler Mel Torgenrud. Keith Covert led the Beavers' attack with 3 for 4.
McCleneghan (L), C. Harrison (6) and Mitton
Torgenrud (W) and Thompson
(June 22) "When bigger and better ball parks are built in Regina, the effervescent House of David and Kansas City Monarchs will probably fill them. They gave Taylor Field something to remember them by Tuesday night and brought back nostalgic memories of pre-war days as 3,500 customers (paying variety) stormed the gates, spewed over from the bleachers down the base lines and into deep centre field. It was almost a mob scene that greeted touring baseball's top-drawer clubs." (Regina Leader-Post, June 23, 1948)
Monarchs rallied for two runs in the 8th and another pair in the bottom of the 9th to pull out a 5-4 victory. First baseman Merle Porter drove in the winner. Lee Moody, who had three hits for the Monarchs, drove in the tying marker. Mickey Stubblefield picked up the win with a sterling relief effort which included eleven strikeouts in the six innings he worked.
Fine (L), Wagner (9) and Bucher
Buckner, Stubblefield (W) (4) and Wright, Peeples (6)
(June 23) Kansas City Monarchs scored six runs in the first two frames and held on to down House of David 9-6 before 3,500 fans at Regina. Lee Moody again paced the Monarchs. He had four hits, including a home run and a double to knock in four runs. Johnny (Sonny Boy) Williams went the distance for the win.
Williams (W) and Peeoples
Wagner (L), Dunaway (5) and Bucher
(June 25) Backing up Johnny Grossman's neat mound chore with some lusty hitting, the Moose Jaw Canucks scored an easy 8 - 2 triumph over the listless Regina Red Sox. Grossman was never in trouble, fanning ten while giving up seven scattered singles. His mates touched Lefty Harrison for six markers in six innings and reliever Ralph McCleneghan for two more. Lou Sabo and Wally Smith connected for round trippers for the Canucks in pacing the attack.
C. Harrison (L), McCleneghan (7) and Mitton
Grossman (W) and W. Smith
(June 27) The Moose Jaw Oilmen strengthened their hold on second place by edging the Wilcox Cardinals 4 - 3. The Purity 99's picked up the winning tally in the 9th to walk away with the spoils, leaving them one game back of the pace setting Regina Caps. Elmer Torgerson, in relief of the Oilers' starter Don Devine, notched the victory. Cards' Aubrey Downton took the loss. Andy McNamee went 3 for 4 for Moose Jaw. Walter Buttgereit homered for the Redbirds.
D. Devine, Torgerson (W) (4) and Starrak
Drew, A. Downton (L) (2) and Clements
(June 28) George Ligon's colored All-Stars whipped Regina Red Sox 12-1 pounding out 17 hits against three Regina pitchers. Roy White tossed a five-hitter for the All-Stars fanning 16. Jackie Brown led the Ligon's at the plate with four hits.
White (W) and J Brown
Foster (L), R Harrison (4), C Harrison (7) and McFarland
(June 29) Regina Caps, with a huge assist from Johnny Johnson of the Ligon All-Stars, picked up top prize of $300 at the Lanigan baseball tournament. Johnson, on loan to the Caps, pitched 27 straight innings to lead Regina to three victories and the championship. After Quill Lake got to Caps' starter Chris Gerein for three runs in the 3rd inning of the first game, Johnson took over and the Caps went on to a 7-4, 12 inning triumph. Johnson then shutout Liberty Eagles 4-0 in the semi-final and went the distance in the final as Regina topped Sioux Indians 8-3. Two more Ligon's, Sterling Fuller and Cleveland Grant, along with Gordie Knutson of the Regina Red Sox bolstered the Caps' lineup.
(June 30) The Weyburn Beavers rolled over the lowly Regina Red Sox by a 15 - 5 count. Weyburn's Mel Torgenrud limited the Sox to five scattered hits while the Beavers pounded Red Sox' Lefty Harrison and reliever Montgomery for 14 base raps. Keith Covert led the Beavers with three hits and three RBI's. Les Wilder cranked out a home run for Weyburn. Gord Mitton had two hits for the Sox.
Torgenrud (W) and Covert
C. Harrison (L), Montgomery (8) and McLean
(June 30) Moose Jaw's Purity 99 Oilmen hung a 12 - 5 trouncing on the Notre Dame Hounds moving them into a first place Southern League tie with the Regina Caps, both clubs having only one loss in six games. The winners got to Cy Huck for ten base knocks with Pete Polupski, Herb Lovett, Ray Jones and Gwynne Lovett all picking up two each at the dish. Norm Brown and Barry Wolstencroft hit 1st inning home runs for the Hounds but veteran Gordie Inkster settled down after that and held the Dogs in check the rest of the way.
C. Huck (L) and Kines, Brown
Inkster (W) and Starrak
(July 2) The Wilcox Cardinals suffered their second crushing defeat at the hands of the Regina Caps this season as they were smoked 10 - 1 by the Queen City contingent. Dick Terry came up with a potent pitching performance for the Caps, yielding only six safeties, two of them by Nick Metz. Cap hitters teed off on Walter Buttgereit and Aubrey Downton for 14 hits, three each by Gus Kyle and Frank Smith. Kyle's trio included two triples.
Buttgereit (L), A. Downton (3) and Weisshaar
Terry (W) and G. Kyle
(July 2 ) A five run 8th inning propelled the Moose Jaw Canucks to a slim 6 - 5 win over the hometown Liberty Eagles. John "Smokey" Reynoldson was back on the mound for the first time this season and notched the win. Wally Smith and Spooner had three hits each for Moose Jaw.
Reynoldson (W) and W. Smith
Johnson (L) and McLane
(July 3) The hometown Beavers scored five times in the first three innings and coasted to their fourth straight win by besting the Liberty Eagles 5 - 1. Weyburn starter Gayle Shupe went six strong innings for the victory. Lefty Arnold went the distance for the Eagles and was charged with the loss. Les Wilder had three base knocks for the winners.
Arnold (L) and Hill
G. Shupe (W), Covert (7) and Thompson
(July 3) The Hounds of Notre Dame visited Moose Jaw and blasted the hometown Canucks 19 - 12 in a hitting feast for both teams. Barry Wolstencroft of the Hounds had seven RBI's to go along with his grand slam homer. Moose Jaw's Bill Emerson socked two round trippers and had four RBI's. Canucks' starter Smokey Reynoldson absorbed most of the punishment and was tagged with the defeat.
Germann (W) and Brown
Reynoldson (L), Straub (7) and W. Smith
(July 4) The Liberty Eagles picked up their second win of the season edging the tail-end Regina Red Sox 6 - 5. Cy Thorseth earned the win while Red Harrison took the loss. Warren Martin and Shorty McLane had three hits each for the Eagles. One of Martin's base knocks was a three bagger. Gordie Knutson picked up a trio of hits for the losing Sox.
C. Harrison, R. Harrison (L) (3) and Mitton
Thorseth (W), E. McNabb (9) and McLane
(July 4) The Notre Dame Hounds bested the Moose Jaw Oilmen 9 - 8 in 10 innings to hand the new league entry their second setback of the season. Dick Kerley went the route for the Hounds and also scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Del Kines had four hits for the Dogs, the last of which drove in Kerley with the winner. Kerley had reached base on a single, advanced to second on an error and scampered home when Kines delivered. The Purity 99's used three hurlers, the last of whom, Tony Naka, took the loss.
J. Devine, Inkster, Naka (L) and Martin
Kerley (W) and Brown
League Standings (July 5) W L Pct.
Regina Caps 6 1 .857
Moose Jaw Oilmen 5 2 .714
Notre Dame Hounds 5 3 .625
Weyburn Beavers 6 4 .600
Wilcox Cardinals 3 4 .429
Moose Jaw Canucks 4 6 .400
Liberty Eagles 2 5 .286
Regina Red Sox 2 8 .200
(July 7) Stylish Lloyd "Schoolboy" Woolley threw a neat two-hitter as the Regina Caps shut down the visiting Liberty Eagles 6 - 1. Woolley had the Big Birds in the palm of his hand all night, yielding an opening frame single and then blanking them again until the 8th. when the Eagles scored their only run. Lefty Arnold of Liberty was touched for 13 hits by the Caps. Tony Righetti paced the Caps' offense with three hits which included a home run.
Arnold (L) and McLane
Woolley (W) and G. Kyle
(July 7) Elmer Torgerson pitched and batted the Moose Jaw Oilmen to an 8 - 5 victory over the Regina Red Sox in a game cut short in the 8th inning by darkness. Torgerson remained in the unbeaten class, striking out 12, as he sat down the Crimson Hose contingent on seven hits, one an 8th inning triple by Jim McLean with the sacks full. In addition, Torgerson had a perfect 4 for 4 to lead a 13 hit Oiler attack against loser Ralph McCleneghan. Moose Jaw center fielder Gwynne Lovett chipped in with three safeties.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Torgerson (W) and Starrak
(July 8) The Notre Dame Hounds plunged the Regina Red Sox deeper into the Southern League cellar by whipping the Reginans 14 - 7. The Sox hung with the Hounds for seven innings but blew a tire in yielding five markers in the 7th. Both chuckers, Dick Kerley of Notre Dame and Lefty Harrison of the Sox were relatively ineffective in this loosely played match. The Dogs' heavy artillery was led by Normie Brown and Hank Dornstauder who collected three safe blows apiece.
C. Harrison (L) and Mitton
Kerley (W) and Brown
(July 9) The Wilcox Cardinals got down to business early to turn back the Moose Jaw Canucks 4 - 1. The Cards got to Moose Jaw starter and loser Lou Sabo for three tallies in the 1st and, with big Walter "Butch" Buttgereit treating his mates with a five-hitter, that was all they needed. Buttgereit and Aubrey Downton, each with two, led a seven hit Wilcox attack.
Buttgereit (W) and Weisshaar
Sabo (L) and W. Smith
(July 11) Notre Dame's hustling Hounds continued their upward climb when they scored a 4 - 3 decision over the Wilcox Cardinals. The Hounds bunched nine hits effectively to come up with a pair of two run rallies in the 6th and 7th innings. Lloyd "Dude" Hoag was on the firing line for the collegians and was touched for eight hits while claiming five strikeout victims. His mound rival, Aubrey Downton, gave up nine hits including two base knocks by each of the Dogs' trio of Frank Germann, Barry Wolstencroft and Normie Brown. Clint Squires and Brownie Clements of Wilcox also had three hits in a losing cause.
Hoag (W) and Brown, Kines (7)
A. Downton (L) and Clements
(July 13) The colorful veteran Ralph Hogg returned to the Southern League baseball wars and led the Weyburn Beavers to an impressive 6 - 1 victory over the Moose Jaw Oilmen. From the very first inning, Hogg showed the Oil crew he hadn't lost any of his zip as he went five full frames before being nicked for a single hit. At the plate, it was Hogg again who drew first blood as he pounded a two-run homer in his initial trip to the batters' box. In the 8th, the Beavers' Les Wilder and Elmer Ekdahl hit consecutive round trippers off the Purity 99's Elmer Torgerson who suffered his first loss of the campaign.
Torgerson (L) and Starrak
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
(July 16) The league leading Regina Caps unloaded their heavy artillery pounding out 19 hits with seven home runs in completely dismantling the Weyburn Beavers 13 - 1. Hefty Gus Kyle hammered out three four-ply clouts plus a double in leading the Regina barrage. Sully Glasser pounded a pair of round trippers while Tony Righetti and Frank Smith each had one. Caps' Lambert "Lefty" Lauer pitched a neat four-hitter in chalking up the mound win. The usually reliable Gayle Shupe absorbed the brunt of the Queen City blows and was tagged with the loss.
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
G. Shupe (L), Covert (3), G. Shupe (8) and Thompson
(July 16) In a contest that was held up by intermittent showers, the Moose Jaw Oilmen cooled off the Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 6. George Greenman picked up the victory after relieving the Purity 99's sore armed starter Elmer Torgerson in the 4th amid a four run Hounds' rally. Hugo Dombowsky's lack of control cost him the game as the Notre Dame southpaw issued eight bases on balls and hit two Oiler batsmen. First baseman Pete Polupski had three hits to pace the winners and Barry Wolstencroft also contributed a trio of base raps for the Dogs.
Dombowsky (L) and Brown
Torgerson, Greenman (W) (4) and Starrak
(July 17) The Wilcox Cardinals edged out the Moose Jaw Canucks 3 - 2 as Walter Buttgereit went the route for the Redbirds, fanning a dozen while giving up only four hits. Canucks' Smokey Reynoldson took the loss. Nick Metz had two hits for the Cards and Lloyd Carr came through with two base knocks for the visiting Canucks.
Reynoldson (L) and W. Smith
Buttgereit (W) and Clements
(July 18) In a game at Liberty, the hometown Eagles surprised Regina's front running Caps, downing the Queen City crew 4 - 2 behind the stellar pitching of Lefty Arnold. Liberty touched southpaw Lloyd Woolley for only four hits in his five inning stint but made them count in a 4th inning outburst. Meanwhile, Arnold took command at the start and was never in trouble as he harnessed the vaunted Cap power, whiffing six and setting them down on five hits. Catcher Shorty McLane had two hits for the Eagles.
Woolley (L), Lauer (6) and G. Kyle
Arnold (W) and McLane
(July 18) Serving notice that they have playoff aspirations, the Wilcox Cardinals won for the second time in less than 24 hours as they hung a 6 - 2 setback on the Regina Red Sox. Aub Downton pitched the Cards to victory, striking out ten while allowing six hits. The Cards sewed up the win by battering loser Red Harrison for four runs in the 8th. Lefty Mearns of the Red Sox and Brownie Clements of Wilcox were the best hitters in this game, each with a 3 for 4 afternoon.
R. Harrison (L) and Mitton
A. Downton (W) and Clements
(July 22) 18 year old Lefty Lauer turned in a mound masterpiece as the league leading Regina Caps whitewashed Moose Jaw's Oilmen 4 - 0 and, in the process, dropped the Purity 99's down the ladder from their previously lofty second place position. Lauer limited the Oilmen to five well spaced blows and struck out 11 while outpitching Albert Erfle in a battle of portsiders. Tony Righetti hit a home run for the Caps as he and Gus Kyle both poked out a pair of hits.
A. Erfle (L) and Martin
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
(July 23) The Weyburn Beavers unloaded a 19 hit arsenal to shellack the Moose Jaw Canucks 10 - 0 behind the four-hit pitching of Ralph Hogg. The major victim of the Beavers' hot bats was Moose Jaw's starter and loser Smokey Reynoldson who gave way to Lou Sabo in the 6th. Elmer Ekdahl and brothers Gayle and Blaine Shupe all had three base knocks for the Beavers.
Reynoldson (L), Sabo (6) and Mowbray
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
(July 23) The Liberty Eagles executed a successful squeeze play to garner what proved to be the winning run as they edged Moose Jaw's fading Oilmen 7 - 6 in an error filled contest. Shortstop Clarence Levere's well executed bunt off losing pitcher Bert Olmstead scored winning pitcher Lefty Arnold with the go-ahead tally. Liberty's Ken Englehardt as well as Moose Jaw's Herb Lovett and Olmstead shared batting honors, each collecting two base raps.
Arnold (W) and McLane
Olmstead (L) and Martin
(July 23) For five innings, the tail-end Regina Red Sox put up a stout battle with their arch-rivals, the Regina Caps, but in the 6th the roof fell in for the underdogs as the powerful Caps posted ten runs and went on to paste the Red Sox 13 - 1. Al Vogt, in his Caps' debut, pitched a four-hitter and was never in difficulty. Cliff Harrison was matching Vogt until the fatal 6th when the Sox fell apart and he was eaten alive by the Caps. Frank Smith had a homer for the Capitals. For the winners, Gus Kyle, Tony Righetti and Smith all had two hits as did Jim McLean of the Sox.
Vogt (W) and G. Kyle, Smith (6)
C. Harrison (L) and Mitton
(July 24) Gayle Shupe pitched the Weyburn Beavers to their second straight win over the Moose Jaw Canucks by a close 5 - 4 score. The Beavers got to the Canucks' Jack Devine for five runs in the first three frames and held on to win as Shupe struck out 12 in his complete game performance. Les Wilder and Jack Shupe each had a pair of hits for Weyburn. Lou Sabo picked up two of the four Moose Jaw hits surrendered by Shupe, including a home run.
G. Shupe (W) and White
J. Devine (L) and W. Smith
(July 25) The Eagles spread their predator wings, swooped down and and clawed the victim Oilmen from Moose Jaw twice in a Sunday doubleheader in Liberty, taking the first game 2 - 1 and the second contest by a 3 - 2 count. The double defeat for the suddenly slumping Purity 99's pushed them further down the slippery slope standings following their great start to the season.
The first game, a 12 inning affair, saw Liberty's Lefty Arnold give up but three hits while in the process of striking out 12. Don Devine of the Purity 99's had a superb mound performance as well, whiffing 15 while allowing eight safeties. His usually reliable control deserted him in the third extra frame of this nail-biter as he plunked the Eagles' Ken Englehardt with one of his offerings, with the sacks full, forcing in the winning run.
D. Devine (L) and Martin
Arnold (W) and McLane
The nightcap at Liberty saw Cy Thorseth of the Eagles outpitch Elmer Torgerson of the Oilmen with the winning run being driven in by Lefty Arnold in the 8th frame.
Torgerson (L) and Starrak
Thorseth (W) and McLane
(July 26) Big Gus Kyle, the Caps' clean-up hitter, supplied plenty of plate punch as the Reginans increased their Southern League lead by turning back the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 4. Kyle had three hits, including a home run and double, to pad his already huge lead in the league's batting average department. The Caps sewed up the game in the 4th, scoring five times off loser Mel Torgenrud. Lefty Lauer went all the way for the Caps, giving up eight hits.
Torgenrud (L) and White
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
(July 27) Moose Jaw's slipping Oilmen, having lost four straight, halted their slide when they hammered out a 7 - 3 win over their city rivals the Moose Jaw Canucks. Bert Olmstead checked in with his first mound victory in two starts for the Purity 99's. He was nicked for ten hits but bore down with runners on base and was home free after his mates piled up five runs in the 2nd, blasting Canuck starter Lloyd Compton from the hill before John "Smokey" Reynoldson came to the rescue. Both squads tallied ten hits with Pete Polupski of the Oilmen as well as Bill Emerson, Wally Smith and Ray Nutzhorn of the Canucks cracking out two each.
Olmstead (W) and Starrak
Compton (L), Reyoldson (2) and W. Smith
(July 28) Ralph Hogg checked in with a nifty five-hitter as the currently second place Weyburn Beavers downed the Moose Jaw Oilmen 4 - 1. Hogg gave up an early unearned run but easily held the Oilmen in check the rest of the way. Teammates Les Wilder and Elmer Ekdahl shared batting honors with Hogg in leading the nine hit Weyburn attack against loser Elmer Torgerson as as all three picked up a brace of base raps.
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
Torgerson (L) and Martin, Starrak
(July 28) Two successive doubles in the 9th by Clint Squires and Nick Metz moved the Wilcox Cardinals past the Moose Jaw Canucks 4 - 3. Walter Buttgereit, on the hill for Wilcox, gave up three scattered hits and struck out 14. Lefty Straub took the complete game loss.
Straub (L) and W. Smith
Buttgereit (W) and Clements
(July 30) The Regina Caps had an easy 9 - 3 win over the sagging Regina Red Sox, sewing up the contest with a five run opening frame outburst which was sparked by Al "Red" Staley's home run. The blast, Staley's first of the campaign, ironically came against his former team with whom he had started the season. Gus Kyle went 4 for 5 including two triples against loser Ralph McCleneghan. Al Vogt allowed four Red Sox hits in picking up his second win. McCleneghan has two safeties for the Sox.
McCleneghan (L) and Mitton
Vogt (W) and G. Kyle
(July 30) After spotting the Beavers the first four runs, the Wilcox Cardinals came from behind to nip their Weyburn hosts 5 - 4. Aubrey Downton notched the pitching win, allowing only one hit after the 3rd inning, enabling the Cards' comeback. Gayle Shupe, who was replaced by Mel Torgenrud during the Wilcox 7th inning uprising, took the defeat. Aub Downton and Walt Buttgereit stroked out three hits each for the Redbirds while Les Wilder led the Beavers' hit parade, contributing two.
A. Downton (W) and Schwindt
G. Shupe (L), Torgenrud (7) and Ekdahl
(July 30) In an abbreviated game cut short by rain and darkness, the Liberty Eagles and Moose Jaw Canucks battled to a 9 - 9 tie in seven innings. All in all, it was a rough night on the twirlers as the teams combined to hammer out 22 base knocks, The Eagles garnered their 13 off southpaw Lloyd Compton while the Canucks nicked sidearmer Cy Thorseth and his successor, Lefty Arnold, for nine. Thorseth had his most success at the plate, going 3 for 4. Shortstop Lou Sabo was the heavy sticker for the Canucks, hitting a home run and triple in three official at-bats.
Thorseth, Arnold and McLane
Compton and W. Smith
League Standings (July 30) W L Pct.
Regina Caps 12 2 .857
Notre Dame Hounds 7 4 .636
Weyburn Beavers 11 7 .611
Wilcox Cardinals 8 6 .571
Moose Jaw Oilmen 9 8 .529
Liberty Eagles 6 7 .462
Moose Jaw Canucks 4 12 .250
Regina Red Sox 2 13 .133
(July 31) The Regina Caps turned back a listless Moose Jaw Canucks' squad 7 - 4 as Dick Terry, with 9th inning relief help from Lloyd Woolley, set down the Mill City boys on four hits. Art Straub went the distance for the Canucks but was plagued by poor fielding support. Terry and Red Staley both picked up a brace of hits for the Caps while Lou Sabo and Art Ryall matched their efforts for the Canucks.
Straub (L) and W. Smith
Terry (W), Woolley (9) and G. Kyle
(August 1) The stretch running Weyburn Beavers edged into second place in the Southern League, topping the Wilcox Cardinals 4 - 2. Reliable Ralph Hogg set down the Cards on seven hits in picking up the win, his fourth consecutive, complete game victory. Aub Downton, the loser, started on the hill for Wilcox but was replaced by Walt Buttgereit in the 3rd frame. Catchers Elmer Ekdahl of the Beavers and Wilcox's Brownie Clements led their respective clubs at the dish with three-hit performances.
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
A. Downton (L), Buttgereit and Clements
(August 1) The hometown Liberty Eagles split a Sunday twin bill with the Notre Dame Hounds, losing the opener 3 - 2 in extra innings but bouncing back to take the nightcap 11 - 3.
The afternoon fixture featured a tight pitching matchup between the Eagles' Cy Thorseth and Notre Dame's Frank Germann. Barry Wolstencroft of the Hounds drove in the winning tally with a 10th inning single.
Germann (W) and xxx
Thorseth (L) and xxx
The second game saw the Hounds jump into an early lead which was extinguished in the 7th when the Eagles exploded for seven runs. Ken Englehardt had a 4 for 4 game for the victors while Warren Martin pounded out two triples.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 2) The Notre Dame Hounds came from behind to upset the Regina Caps 7 - 6 in a 10 inning Southern League tussle and, in the process, moved ahead of the Weyburn Beavers into second place. Walt Becker's 10th inning single plated Hank Dornstauder with the winning tally, the only lead that the Hounds had in this contest. Dick Kerley, in relief of Dude Hoag, picked up the pitching victory. Lloyd Woolley, replacing Caps' starter Chris Gerein in the 9th, absorbed the defeat. Frank Germann paced the Hounds' offense with a perfect 5 for 5. Gus Kyle had three hits for the Caps while Frank Smith contributed a home run.
Gerein, Woolley (L) (9) and G. Kyle
Hoag, Kerley (W) (9) and Brown
(August 6) The Weyburn Beavers bounced back into second place in the Southern League by virtue of a 13 - 1 shellacking they handed the Notre Dame Hounds. After seven innings, the Beavers held a slim 3 - 1 lead but, in the 8th, Notre Dame hurler Dick Kerley fell apart as he, and reliever Cy Huck, allowed ten more Weyburn runs to put the game out of reach. Mel Torgenrud pitched the complete game win surrendering but four hits. Les Wilder, Jack Shupe and Don White all had three base raps for the winners.
Kerley (L), C. Huck (8) and Brown
Torgenrud (W) and White
(August 8) The Liberty Eagles both won and lost in a pair of games in Wilcox, coming out on top in the opener 3 - 0 against the Cardinals and then dropping the evening fixture to their second opponent of the day, the Notre Dame Hounds, by an 8 - 7 count. Two right-handers, Cy Thorseth of the victorious Eagles and Wilcox's Aub Downton locked horns in the afternoon tilt in which Thorseth prevailed with a six hit shutout. Denny Evenson of Liberty and the Cards' Ernie Downton both had two hits in this affair.
Thorseth (W) and Prosofski
A. Downton (L) and Clements
The second encounter pitted the Eagles' Lefty Arnold against the collegians. The Hounds won it by scoring two runs in the bottom of the 8th. Cy Huck, in relief of Frank Germann, was credited with the win. Dick Kerley had a brace of hits for the Hounds, driving in four runs. Winning chucker Huck and Walt Becker also had two hits for the winners. Cy Thorseth had a trio of safeties for the Eagles.
Arnold (L) and Prosofski
Germann, C. Huck (W) (4) and Brown
1948 Final League Standings W L Pct.
Regina Caps 13 3 .813
Weyburn Beavers 13 7 .650
Notre Dame Hounds 10 6 .625
Moose Jaw Oilmen 9 8 .529
Wilcox Cardinals 8 8 .500
Liberty Eagles 8 9 .471
Moose Jaw Canucks 4 13 .235
Regina Red Sox 2 13 .133
Batting Statistics AB R H AVE
Gus Kyle - Regina Caps 67 23 37 .552
Frank Smith - Regina Caps 42 5 18 .429
Elmer Ekdahl - Weyburn Beavers 31 8 13 .419
Les Wilder - Weyburn Beavers 84 16 35 .417
Ray Nutzhorn - M. Jaw Canucks 34 4 13 .382
Norm Brown - N. D. Hounds 71 20 27 .380
Lefty Mearns - Regina Red Sox 32 3 12 .375
Frank Germann - N. D. Hounds 63 15 23 .365
Gayle Shupe - Weyburn Beavers 81 21 28 .346
Brownie Clements - Wilcox Cards 38 3 13 .342
Pitching W L PCT
Ralph Hogg - Weyburn Beavers 4 0 1.000
Frank Germann - N. D. Hounds 4 0 1.000
Lefty Lauer - Regina Caps 3 0 1.000
Al Vogt - Regina Caps 2 0 1.000
Chris Gerein - Regina Caps 2 0 1.000
Dick Terry - Regina Caps 2 0 1.000
Playoffs :
Semi-final (Regina Caps and Moose Jaw Oilmen)
Game #1 (August 10) Although losing the game between the lines, the Regina Caps were awarded the first game of the best of three semi-final against the Moose Jaw Oilmen when the Purity 99's used pitcher Bert Olmstead who had been declared ineligible for the playoffs. On the diamond, the Oilmen grabbed a 2 - 1 verdict, scoring single tallies in the 8th an 9th to overcome an early deficit. Olmstead pitched superbly, limiting the Caps to three hits and no earned runs. Caps' Lloyd Woolley was no slouch either pitching a four-hitter.
Olmstead and Starrak
Woolley and G. Kyle
Game #2 (August 14) The Regina Caps pushed the Moose Jaw Oilmen to the sidelines by downing the Friendly City contingent 2 - 1 to win their best of three series in straight games. Gus Kyle's first inning triple off loser Lefty Erfle scored Jackie Fulton with the first Cap run. They added the clincher in the 4th when Red Staley belted out a bases empty home run, one of his three hits in this game. Lefty Lauer picked up the pitching win, surrendering a single run in the 8th on a balk ruling. Ray Jones had a pair of hits for the eliminated Oilers.
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
A. Erfle (L) and Starrak
Semi-final (Weyburn Beavers and Notre Dame Hounds)
Game #1 (August 12) On the strength of a five run outburst in the 4th inning, the Weyburn Beavers downed the Notre Dame Hounds 6 - 2 to go one up in the best of three series. Beavers' Gayle Shupe coasted to the win allowing seven hits. Keith Covert banged out three hits for Weyburn. Barry Wolstencroft picked up a couple of base knocks in pacing the Dogs.
Kerley (L), Becker (4) and Brown
G. Shupe (W) and Ekdahl
Game #2 (August 14) The Weyburn Beavers and Notre Dame Hounds took the field in game two of their semi-final matchup but accomplished exactly nothing in ten innings of play by battling to a 5 - 5 tie. Ralph Hogg and Lloyd "Dude" Hoag pitched the entire ten innings for their respective teams. Hoag and Cy Huck had three hits each for Notre Dame while Les Wilder was the Beavers' top batter, also with three hits. The game was called after ten innings because of darkness.
Hogg and White, Covert (10)
Hoag and Brown
Game #3 (August 16) Led by two of the four Shupe brothers, Gayle and Doug, the Weyburn Beavers gained the right to meet the Regina Caps in the Southern League final when they hung a 6 - 3 defeat on the Notre Dame Hounds. Gale with four hits and Doug with three combined for over half of the Beavers' offensive output. Ralph Beattie, Barry Wolstencroft and Cy Huck all rapped out a pair of base blows for Notre Dame. Both starting pitchers, winner Mel Torgenrud and the Hounds' Walt Becker went the route.
Becker (L) and Brown
Torgenrud (W) and Ekdahl
Final (Regina Caps and Weyburn Beavers)
(August 18) Despite Bert Olmstead's fine pitching, the Moose Jaw Purity 99's went down to a 6 - 3 defeat at the hands of the touring San Francisco Sea Lions in an exhibition game before packed stands at Ross Wells Park. The tall Moose Jaw right hander gave up only 7 hits, the same number as his mates collected off winning pitcher Curt Hollingsworth but his support afield in the early innings was erratic and a 5-run first inning, climaxed by Luther Branham's grand slam home run, was all the barnstormers needed. Long-time Negro League legend Biz Mackey, now 51 years of age, caught the entire 9 innings for the visitors, offensively contributing a single and an RBI in 4 trips. Lions' shortstop _____ Malone belted a triple and single for the winners. Moose Jaw outfielder Herb Lovett and first sacker _____ Richardson of the tourists both slapped out a brace of singles.
Hollingsworth (W) and Mackey
Olmstead (L) and Starrak
Game #1 (August 19) The Regina Caps took the first game of the Southern League final with a 5 - 4 win over the Weyburn Beavers in a bitterly contested game that was marred by frequent rhubarbs. Two close decisions that went against the Beavers incensed the Soo Liners who lost third sacker Gayle Shupe in the 8th for being too strenuous in his arguments. Lefty Lauer and Ralph Hogg both pitched complete games. Weyburn never had the lead in this one but threatened several times. The Caps' Frank Smith and Tony Righetti had three hits as did Les Wilder of the Beavers.
Hogg (L) and Ekdahl
Lauer (W) and G. Kyle
Game #2 (August 20) On the strength of a three run rally in the 4th frame, the Regina Caps took a 2 - 0 lead in the best of five Southern League final by downing the Weyburn Beavers 5 - 2. The Reginans led the game from start to finish as Lloyd Woolley shutout the Beavers until the bottom of the 9th when they tallied their only two markers. Gayle Shupe went eight innings on the hill for the Beavers before relinquishing mound chores to Mel Torgenrud. Tony Righetti was tops at the plate for the Caps going 3 for 4. Jack Shupe led Weyburn with a 2 for 3 performance.4
Woolley (W) and Smith
G. Shupe (L), Torgenrud (9) and Ekdahl
Game #3 (August 23) The Weyburn Beavers cake-walked to an easy 6 - 0 win over the Regina Caps to register their first victory in the best of 5 final. Mel Torgenrud, the lanky Beavers' righthander had the Caps eating out of his hand, allowing only two hits while whiffing 11. The Caps played without the Kyle brothers, Bill and Gus, who were absent as a result of a death in their family. Gayle Shupe went 3 for 3 for the Beavers facing Lefty Lauer and reliever Al Vogt. Ralph Hogg and Elmer Ekdahl also had three hits.
Torgenrud (W) and Ekdahl
Lauer (L), Vogt (7) and Smith
Game #4 (August 24) The defending champion Weyburn Beavers evened their best of five final series against the Regina Caps winning a close 5 - 3 decision in game four. The 1947 champions were led by Ralph Hogg who tossed a three-hitter while fanning seven. Without heavy hitter Gus Kyle in the lineup, the Caps' offense sputtered again. Regina starter Chris Gerein got into hot water in the 1st as Weyburn struck for two runs and never looked back. The Beavers' shortstop Blaine Shupe was the only player on either team with a multi-hit game, stroking out a pair.
Gerein (L), Lauer (4) and Smith
Hogg (W) and Ekdahl
Game #5 (August 25) Weyburn's battling Beavers came from behind to earn a 3 - 3 stalemate with the Regina Caps in what was supposed to be the last game in the final series. With the Caps bolstered by the return of the Kyle brothers, the Reginans looked like sure winners in the early going, counting a run in the 1st and adding a second in the 3rd when backstop Gus Kyle slapped out a long homer off Gayle Shupe. After Weyburn evened the count with two unearned tallies in the 4th, the Caps quickly countered and regained the lead with one of their own in the bottom of the same frame. That run looked mighty good until the 8th and ultimately the last frame when shortstop Roger Merlevede's ground ball error allowed the tying run to score. Gus Kyle had three hits to lead all batters. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness.
G. Shupe, Torgenrud (6) and Ekdahl
Woolley and G. Kyle
Game #6 (August 26) Elmer Ekdahl, the veteran Weyburn Beaver, strode to the plate as a pinch hitter and lashed out a home run for the big counter that defeated the Regina Caps 7 - 6 and gave Weyburn the Southern League title for the second straight summer. The see-saw battle settled into a tie late in the game until Ekdahl's blow in the bottom of the 8th and final frame. The game was called because of darkness at that point. Swinging at Cap loser Al Vogt's first pitch, Ekdahl sent it soaring over the right-center field fence. In a gallant losing cause, Frank Smith had three safe blows including a four bagger. Shortstop Roger Merlevede of the Caps and Weyburn's Gayle Shupe also had three base hits.
Woolley, Vogt (L) (3) and G. Kyle
Torgenrud, Hogg (W) (6) and White