EDMONTON & DISTRICT SENIOR LEAGUE
Beverly Drakes
Army & Navy Merchants
Leduc Oilers
Carter Motor Pontiacs
(August 17) On the final day of the regular schedule, the Beverly Drakes crushed the Leduc Oilers 17-11 to claim the pennant and a playoff bye in the Edmonton and District Senior Baseball League. They finished with 17 wins, one more than the Carter Pontiacs.
Dick Lowe managed to go the distance for the win although giving up six runs in the first two innings. Pete Serbu started for Leduc but was shelled in favour of Larry Kadatz. Drakes' big inning was the fifth when they erupted for seven runs to break a 6-6 deadlock. Beverly collect 12 hits, including two apiece by Cliff Johnson, Jerry Seaman, Stan Kulka and Lowe. Mike Karbonic and Pete Melnechuk each rapped a pair for Leduc.
Lowe (W) and Kulka
Serbu (L), Kadatz and Hamilton
Final Standing
Drakes 17 - 9 .654 ---
Pontiacs 16 - 10 .615 1
Merchants 14 - 12 .538 3
Leduc 3 - 19 .136 12
SEMI-FINALS (Best of Five)
(August 19) Two big innings propelled the Carter Pontiacs to a 9-3 victory in the opening game of their semi-final series with the Army and Navy Merchants. They romped for four in the fourth and another three in the sixth to salt away the victory behind the steady pitching of veteran Lefty Belter. Vern Callihan led the Merchants knocking in three runs with a pair of hits, one a triple off his brother Hal Callihan. The Pontiacs out-hit the winners 8-6 but committed seven errors and their moundsmen Jerry Wynn and Callihan walked nine batters.
Belter (W) and Kortgard
J.Wynn (L), H.Callihan (4) and Bob Olson
(August 20) Vern Callihan was the hero for the Army & Navy Merchants Wednesday going the distance for the mound victory and winning his own game driving in the deciding tally in the bottom of the ninth inning. Earlier Callihan had scored a pair for the Merchants. Catcher Ross Kortgard had three of the ten hits for the winners. Pontiacs had taken a 3-0 lead before the Army & Navy crew tied it in the fourth. They went ahead with two in the sixth before the Pontiacs scored singletons in the seventh and ninth to knot the count at 5-5. With one out, George Kjenner reached on an error. Kortgard singled and Callihan smacked one to left as the Merchants took a two-game lead in the series. The Olson twins, Bill on the hill and Bob behind the plate were the battery for the Pontiacs.
Bill Olson (L) and Bob Olson
V.Callihan (W) and Kortgard
(August 21) A five-run eighth inning powered the Pontiacs to an 11-7 victory to stave off elimination in the Edmonton & District Senior League playoffs. Trailing 7-6, Bob Olson got a life on a wild throw to first for a two-base error. Reliever Hal Callihan moved him along to third with a sacrifice and Freddy Clarke singled to centre for a 7-7 tie. With George Kjenner aboard on another error, one of eight by the Merchants, Jack Hobson lined one to right to score two more. Len Karlson doubled to bring in Hobson and eventually scored on an outfield error and Doug Stewart's fly ball. Callihan was superb in relief holding the Merchants to two hits and a run in 5 1/3 innings.
Forss, Hunter (L) (4) and Kortgard
Robson, H.Callihan (W) (4) and Bob Olson
(August 22) Jack Hobson and Doug Stewart each had three hits and drove in three runs Friday at Renfrew Park as the Pontiacs tied the semi-final series at two games apiece with an impressive 8-3 triumph over the Merchants. Bill Olson held the Army & Navy squad to five hits, although he walked six. After he gave up three runs in the second inning as the Merchants took a 3-1 lead, Olson pitched shutout ball the rest of the way. Pontiacs pounded out 15 hits off a pair of Merchants' hurlers.
Olson (W) and McNabb
Forss (L), Belter (6) and Kortgard
(August 23) Pontiacs spotted the Merchants an early 3-0 lead then stormed back with two five run innings to crush the Army & Navy crew 11-8 to win the semi-final series after losing the first two games. Pontiacs managed just eight hits but took advantage of six walks and eight errors. Don Wynn, Jack Hobson and Doug Stewart each contributed two hits for the winners. Len Karlson scored three. Archie "Lefty" Arnold went six innings for the win, relieved by Bill Olson. In the top of the ninth, after the Merchants had scored a pair to make in 11-8, manager Jim Ryan, still with a walking cast on his broken leg, came up to pinch hit, but went down on strikes to Olson.
Pontiacs now take on the pennant winning Beverly Drakes for the league crown.
Wigeland (L), Belter (4), Callihan (4) and Kortgard
Arnold (W), Olson (7) and xxx
FINAL SERIES (Best of Seven)
(August 26) Blanked for five innings, the Beverly Drakes scored three in the sixth inning to go on to take the opening game of the final series 4-2 over the Pontiacs. Two of the runs, driven in by Bill Gadsby, were unearned due to an outfield error with runners on second and third. Mike McInerney's second hit of the night scored Gadsby who drove in the final Drakes' run in the eighth with a long double. Jerry Seaman held the Pontiacs to six hit.
Jerry Wynn (L) and Bob Olson
Seaman (W) and Kulka
(August 27) Bill Price, Barry Robertshaw and Stan Kulka each rapped three hits and scored three times as the Beverly Drakes took a 2-0 game game in the final series with a 16-6 romp over the Pontiacs. Kulka also knocked in three. The Drakes slapped out 18 hits and saw the Pontiacs commit seven errors and allow seven free passes.
Bud Bacon survived 11 hits to go the distance for the mound victory. Len Karlson had three hits for the losers.
Bacon (W) and Kulka
Robson (L), Callihan (5), J.Wynn (7) and Bob Olson
(September 2) Lefty Lauer, just back after pitching most of the year for the Saskatoon Gems, tossed a steady seven-hitter at the Beverly Drakes Tuesday for a 3-2 victory, the first in the series for the Carter Pontiacs.
The agriculture student at the University of Alberta whiffed 11 and, although he issued 6 walks, was never in serious trouble after the fourth inning. Al Purvis cracked a two-run double in the top of the fourth to bring in the eventual winning run. Ray Malik yielded 7 hits in taking the loss. Jerry Seaman had two hits and scored both runs for the Drakes.
Lauer (W) and Bob Olson
Malik (L) and Kulka
(September 5) Beverly Drakes got an early jump with three runs in the first inning, then fell behind 4-3 before exploding late in the game to defeat Carter Pontiacs 12-6 to move to within just one more win for the league championship.
Right fielder Cliff Johnson was the big gun for the winners knocking in four runs with four hits and scoring three. Second sacker Bill Price chipped in with three hits and three runs. Dick Lowe gave up ten hits and walked five but settled down after the fifth inning and blanked the Pontiacs the rest of the way while the Drakes put up two in the seventh and five more in the eighth.
Lowe (W) and Kulka
Bill Olson, Wynn (5), Callihan (8) and Bob Olson
(September 7) Carter Pontiacs got a good start in the 5th game of the league final carrying a 4-0 advantage into the fourth inning. But that was all the offense they could muster and the Beverly Drakes erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fourth and six more in the sixth to trample the Pontiacs 11-4 and capture the Edmonton and District Senior Baseball championship. Young Dutch Lakeman tossed an eight-hitter for the win. He fanned nine and walked three. While the Drakes played errorless ball, the Pontiacs were atrocious in the field making nine errors. Third baseman George Stickle paced the winners driving in four runs with a triple and single. The Drakes took the best-of-seven series in five games. They now advance against Carstairs, champions of the Chinook League based at Buffalo Stadium in Calgary. Carstairs polished off Twin Cities Sunday 11-2 to take their final in three straight.
Lauer (L), Arnold (4), Callihan (6) and Macnabb
Lakeman (W) and Kulka
(September 14) Young Bud Bacon set down Carstairs on five hits Sunday to shutout the Chinook League champions 3-0 as Beverly Drakes took the opening game of the best-of-three inter-league challenge. The product of Edmonton junior ball bested Carstairs ace Don Kirk, who finished the Chinook regular schedule with a 16-2 record this summer with a 1.54 ERA. Kirk gave up seven hits in taking the loss.
Drakes plated the only runs they needed this day in the third inning when Bill Price singled through shortstop and Barry Robertshaw's hot grounder was bobbled at first. Cliff Johnson singled to score Price and Mike McInerney's long fly to right brought in Robertshaw. Price scored the final run in the eighth when he singled, moved to third on two infield outs then stole home. Kirk led the losers with two hits, both doubles.
Kirk (L) and Brookman
Bacon (W) and Kulka
(September 21) Southpaw Ray Malik shutout Carstairs Sunday as Beverly Drakes took a 6-0 victory to sweep their series with Carstairs. The teams played an exhibition encounter as well, that too won by Beverly, 7-4.
Carstairs Lefty Don Kirk walked three men in the fifth and that, coupled with a hit and an error accounted for four of the runs. Barry Robertshaw had the lone extra base hit of the game in the frame, a double, driving in two runs. He also stole third and home for another marker. Kirk fanned 12, Malik had just six strikeouts.
Drakes led all the way in the exhibition game as Bud Bacon with ninth inning relief by Jerry Seaman, held Carstairs to four hits.
Malik (W) and Kulka
Kirk (L) and Brookman
Bacon (W), Seaman (9) and Kulka
McQueen, Jankola (7) and Landrum
FOOTHILLS BASEBALL LEAGUE :
(June 4) Claresholm Meteors took first prize money at the Granum tournament downing Wrentham 12-4 in the final behind the seven-hit pitching of Allie MacDonald. Meteors reached the final by edging New Dayton, top club in the Sunshine League, 11-10. MacDonald and Hubert Glenn handled the mound work for Claresholm. H Gorrill was tagged with the loss for New Dayton. Wrentham ousted Granum 4-1 as Paulson fired a five-hitter for the winners. MacLeod and Shearer worked the hill for Granum.
(June 4) Nanton and Stavely fought to a 4-4 draw in a game called after nine innings because of darkness. Berger and Scott shared pitching duties for the visitors while Fredericks went the route for Stavely.
Berger, Scott and xxx
Fredericks and xxx
(June 11) Bob Shearer tossed a six-hitter as Granum topped Stavely 8-3 in a Foothills League encounter at Granum.
Fredericks and Woodham, Yorgason
Shearer (W) and MacLeod
(June 15) Granum topped Claresholm RCAF 6-3 in a Foothills League contest. Mat Matthews and Parker combined on an eight-hitter for the win.
McDonald (L) and xxx
Matthews, Parker and xxx
(June 16) Champion blanked Carmangay 3-0 in the final to take top money in the Carmangay tournament. Pasolli fired the shutout to pick up the win. Arnie Godlonton, the Lethbridge Cubs' ace, pitched for Carmangay and allowed just two hits in a losing cause. Carmangay reached the final with a 6-3 win over Stavely as Ted Malmberg went the distance.
Champion whipped Vulcan in the other semi-final.
Pasolli (W) and xxx
Godlonton (L) and xxx
Scott (L) and Yorgason
Malmberg (W) and Andrekson
Dann (L), Mitchell, Prudence and xxx
Pasolli (W), Jensen and xxx
(June 17) Granum notched another win in Foothills League play with a 12-6 win over Claresholm Meteors as Bob Shearer out-pitched the Meteors' import star, Hubert Glenn. Edwards belted a homer for the winners, Glenn connected for the Meteors.
Shearer (W) and xxx
Glenn (L) and xxx
(June 18) Claresholm RCAF scored in the top of the 10th inning and held off Stavely in the bottom of the extra frame to notch an 11-10 win in Foothills League action at Stavely. Miller picked up the win in relief of starter Casey. Latiff socked a pair of homers for the losers.
Fredericks (L) and Woodham
Casey, Miller (W) and Blake
(June 19) Behind the eight-hit pitching of Allie MacDonald, Claresholm Meteors topped Nanton 7-4. First baseman Lefty Huddle led the offense with three doubles. Jack Scott took the loss.
Scott (L) and xxx
A MacDonald (W) and xxx
(June 20) Indian Head Rockets downed Pincher Creek Dominoes 11-7 in an exhibition match at Pincher Creek.
" ... the outcome of the comedy-filled session was unimportant. Rockets stuck to their knitting for seven innings, building up a comfortable lead ... and then proceeded to unload numerous antics on the diamond that had the fans howling with laughter. The colored team introduced a new invention from their bag of tricks, a dice game back of the mound, while the pitcher himself was in the process of throwing to a bewildered batter, with one player losing his glove, spikes, socks and almost his pants and shirt. Even the umpire got into the game, pinch-hitting for a Domino batter while a Negro player called the balls and strikes ... During the half-way of the game, 65-year-old Upton Williams, who has only one arm, entertained the paying customers with an imitation of a famous step dance routine by the late Bill Robinson, Negro tap-dancer." (Lethbridge Herald, August 14, 1952)
(July 1) Hubert Glenn was a one-man show for Claresholm as the Meteors clobbered Stavely 20-4 in the closing feature of the Claresholm - Fort MacLeod Stampede. Glenn blasted three homers and hurled a nine-hitter. Wayne Berg, Ward MacDonald and Bernie Dunning also had round-trippers for the winners who had 19 hits.
Carr, McInnis and xxx
Glenn (W) and xxx
(July 2) Granum White Sox grabbed a one game lead in the Southern Alberta Intermediate playoffs with a 6-4 win over Picture Butte Indians. Mat Matthews went the distance for the win allowing six hits while fanning seven.
Matthews (W) and MacLeod
Karl, Floyd Anderson (6) and McKay
(July 3) Granum downed Nanton 10-6 to move into the finals of the Carmangay tournament. Sox had earlier defeated Champion 5-1. Nanton had ousted Sundial 6-1.
(July 4) With a 14-hit attack, Granum topped Claresholm RCAF 10-3 in Foothills League action. Long went the distance for the win.
Drake, Miller and Winchester
Long (W) and MacLeod
(July 4) Picture Butte advanced to the final of the Carmangay tourney with a 9-5 victory over Stavely as Jay Jenkins, imported from Claresholm, pitched the Indians to the win. Hans Sagstuen took the loss. Picture Butte and earlier topped Claresholm 9-5 and Stavely downed Carmangay 6-4.
(July 5) Picture Butte trounced Granum 16-4 to take top prize money of $200 at the annual Carmangay tournament. White Sox had reached the final with two wins on Thursday while Picture Butte copped a pair on Friday.
Floyd Anderson, Adolph Karl, Barney Watson and xxx
Jack Scott, Allie MacDonald and xxx
(July 6) Picture Butte Indians advanced in the Southern Alberta intermediate playoffs with a pair of twins over Granum. Indians took the opener 13-12 and then the nightcap 10-1.
(July 6) Nanton rallied for four-runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to down Claresholm Meteors 11-9 in a Foothills Baseball League game at Nanton. Jack Scott went all the way for the win. Hunt led Nanton with four hits and Berger added three. Berg, Whitehead, Glenn and Olsen smacked homers for the Meteors.
Scott (W) and xxx
Dodd, Glenn (L) (5) and xxx
(July 9) Stavely had two big innings to down Nanton 9-8 in a Foothills League match at Stavely. The winners plated five runs in the 3rd and added four more in the 6th to take the win.
Scott (L) and xxx
Cameron, Fredrickson and xxx
Foothills Standings as of July 10
W L PTS
Granum 8 3 16
Nanton 6 4 12
Stavely 5 4 10
Claresholm 4 4 8
RCAF 1 8 2
(July 13) Blackie swept a pair from Okotoks 5-1 and 7-5 behind the pitching of Grant Wray and Ellard Egeland.
xxx and xxx
Wray (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
Egeland (W) and xxx
(July 13) Nanton whipped Granum 10-3 as Jack Scott went the distance for the win.
Edwardh and xxx
Scott (W) and xxx
(July 14) Nanton moved into a first place tie with Granum in the Foothill League with a 17-7 triumph over Claresholm RCAF. Scott, Dunham and McKenzie each had three hits to lead Nanton's 15-hit attack.
xxx and xxx
Jake Berger (W) and xxx
(July 14) Claresholm Meteors rallied for four runs in the 8th inning to down Stavely 8-5. Hubert Glenn pitched a seven-hitter for the win.
Glenn (W) and McDonald
Fredericks (L) and Woodham
(July 15) Picture Butte Indians shaded Blairmore Canucks 7-5 to take the opening game of the intermediate baseball playoffs. Terry Ferguson and Floyd Anderson combined for the pitching victory. Blairmore won a following exhibition game 16-13.
(July 16) Granum White Sox edged Stavely 7-6 in a regular Foothills League game at Granum.
Cameron, Fredericks and Yorgason
Edwardh (W) and Parker
(July 27) Nanton and Stavely split a Foothills League twin-bill at Nanton. Stavely won the opener 7-5 with three runs in the top of the 9th inning. Woodham topped Scott on the mound. Nanton roared back with an eleven run 6th inning to overwhelm Stavely 21-9 in the second game,
Woodham (W) and xxx
Scott (L) and xxx
Fredericks, B Yorgason and Woodham
Berger (W) and R Hawk
(July 28) Florida Cubans took advantage of a sloppy defense by Lethbridge All-Stars to shade the Alberta club 8-6 in an exhibition game at Henderson Park. Three runs in the top of the 9th provided the margin of the victory. All-Stars out-hit the Cubans 8-7 but made 12 errors.
Only some sensation fielding by Fred Bales and a three for four night by Frank Deak, including a triple and a double, highlighted the local effort. A terrific one-handed catch by Juan Dominguez in right field and a smart double-play on a line drive by Julio Bonilla to Ezequiel Diaz displayed fine defense for the Cubans. Orlando Arango went the route for the win.
Arango (W) and Ledo
Godlonton, Kucheran (L) (5) and Deak
(July 30) Picture Butte Indians won a berth in the final of the Claresholm tournament scoring five runs in the last two innings for a thrilling 7-6 win over the Meteors. A three-run homer by Frank Deak and and a two-run blast by Alex Uhryn provided enough for the win.
Floyd Anderson, Barney Watson, Ted Malmberg and xxx
Glenn (L) and xxx
Indians had advanced with a 14-6 win over Nanton as Ted Malmberg pitched for the win.
Malmberg and xxx
McQueen, Berger, Scott and xxx
Claresholm battered Carmangay 25-6.
Matt Slavich, W MacDonald and xxx
Rhodes, White and xx
(July 31) Champion powered its way into the final of the Claresholm tournament downing Stavely 6-4 as Pasolli bested Fredricks on the hill and topping Granum 9-8 with a run in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Pasolli (W) and xxx
Fredricks (L) and xxx
Jensen (W) and xxx
Tanner, Shearer and xxx
Granum ousted Sundail 8-3.
M Matthews (W) and xxx
Mehalko, Matthews xxx
(August 1) Lefty Don Kirk fired a one-hitter and fanned 16 and led the offense with four hits as Champion walloped Picture Butte 16-2 to take top money of $500 at the Claresholm tournament.
Joe Miller (L), Anderson, Watson, Deak and Deak, Gillies
Kirk (W) and Siler
(August 3) Hubert Glenn fired a three-hitter as Claresholm wrapped up its regular schedule with a 10-4 win over Stavely. Glenn also led the offense with a homer while Rollie Hughes had a four-bagger for Stavley.
Glenn (W) and xxx
Woodham (L) and xxx
Claresholm also won the first game of the day, 11-10 as Jimmy Powers had a homer to aid the Meteors' cause.
Glenn and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 5) The northern section of the Foothills League has wound up with Blackie capturing the top spot with seven wins and one loss followed by Okotoks at 4-4 and Brant at 1-7. Blackie clobbered Okotoks 15-4 in the final as Wray hurled three-hit ball.
Cole, Metz and xxx
Wray (W) and xxx
Playoffs :
(August 6) Nanton downed Granum 7-3 in the opening game of their Foothills League semi-final. Jack Scott scattered nine hits to gain the win.
Matthews (L) and xxx
Scott (W) and xxx
(August 10)
(August 13) Granum White Sox shaded Nanton 1-0 to advance to the final of the Foothills League. Jim O'Neill romped across home plate with the only run in the 7th inning.
Matthews (W) and MacLeod
Scott (L) and Hawks
(August 13) Claresholm edged Stavely 6-5, with a run in the 8th inning, in their Foothills semi-final at Stavely. Hubert Glenn tossed a six-hitter for the win.
Glenn (W) and xxx
Fredricks (L) and xxx
(August 13) Hubert Glenn pitched six-hit ball as Claresholm shaded Stavely 6-5 in the Foothills Baseball League semi-final. The winner moves on to meet Granum. Frederick allowed eight hits in taking the loss. Meteors broke a 5-5 tie in the top of the 8th with the winning marker.
Glenn (W) and xxx
Frederick (L) and xxx
(August 17) Hubert Glenn bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Dutch Dodd and Ward MacDonald to give Claresholm Meteors a 5-4 victory over Stavely to advance to the final of the Foothills Baseball League. Glenn, who scattered 10 hits in going the distance on the hill for the Meteors, walloped a two-run homer in the first frame to account for four of the five runs for the winners. Claresholm meets Granum in a best-of-five series for the championship.
Fredricks (L) and Yorgason
Glenn (W) and MacDonald
(August 17)
Onofrychuk and Deak
Kucheran and H Yanosik
Negrello, Onofrychuk (5) and Deak
Godlonton, Kucheran (5) and H Yanosik
(August 19) Blackie and Okotoks split the first two games of their best of five series of the championship of the northern section of the Foothills League. Okotoks won the first game 7-3 as Thompson belted a homer and Metz pitched a seven-hitter.
Metz (W) and xxx
Wray (L) and xxx
Blackie rebounded for a 16-8 victory in the second game as Baker led the way with two triples and double and a single and five runs scored. Rockafellow, who had a pair of hits in the opener, had three hits, including a homer, in the second game.
Cole (L), Heater and xxx
Hanwell (W), McLean and xxx
(August 20) Granum jumped into a five-run lead after two innings and held on to down Claresholm 6-4 in the opening game of their playoff series for the title in the southern section of the Foothills League. Meteors star Hubert Glenn and White Sox manager George Wesley were ejected in the 4th inning following an argument over an umpire's decision. Mat Matthews scattered eleven hits to get the win.
Matthews (W) and MacLeod
Glenn (L), Slavich (4) and McDonald
(August 24) Granum White Sox rebounded from a six run deficit to grab a commanding lead in their playoff series with Claresholm trouncing the Meteors 16-7. Sox lead the best of five series 2 games to 0. Meteors erupted for six runs in the first inning driving Granum starter Bob Shearer from the mound. Chester Long relieved with the bases loaded and none out and proceeded hold the Meteors to a single run the rest of the way. Roy MacLeod belted a pair of triples for the winners and Gord Wesley chipped in with three hits.
Slavich, Glenn (4) and xxx
Shearer, Long (W) (1) and xxx
BIG SIX BASEBALL LEAGUE :
(July 21) Playing manager Hec Negrello fired a no-hitter to lead Lethbridge Miners to a 3-0 win over Bow Island Combines in the opening game of a best-of-three Southern Alberta semi-final series. Negrello fanned 12. Miners scored all their runs in the 3rd frame. Joe Arisman and Mitch Stzaba each had two hits for the winners.
Negrello (W) and Tarnava
Nelson (L) and Allen
In an exhibition game, Miners won the second tilt 8-1 behind a two-hitter by Fred Onofrychuk.
Onofrychuk (W) and Tarnava
Collins (L), Sevalrud (6), Phillips and Draglin
(July 22) Outfielder Johnny Klem Lethbridge Cubs continues well ahead of the field in the batting race in the Big Six Baseball League. In statistics including games before Sunday, Klem is hitting a .463 clip, 70 points up on the runner-up, teammate Bill Kucheran at .393. Hec Negrello, playing - manager of the Miners is third at .391. The top 10 :
AB H PCT
Johnny Klem, Cubs 41 19 .463
Bill Kucheran, Cubs 28 11 .393
Hec Negrello, Miners 23 9 .391
Clarence Yanosik, Cubs 49 19 .388
John Vaselenak, Miners 55 21 .382
G Rodzinyak, Miners 53 20 .377
Stoddy Rhodes, Cubs 39 14 .359
H Patterson, Cubs 20 7 .350
Darwin Walkinshaw, Cubs 46 16 .348
Joe Arisman, Miners 52 16 .308
(July 25) The hometown Eagles exploded for seven runs in the 5th inning and six more in the 6th to whip Taber Firemen 15-8 in their opening game of a best-of-three Southern Alberta semi-final. O'Donnell led the Magrath offense with four hits. Walt Pashuk and Forest Balderson handled the mound duties for the Eagles.
Knibbs, Crumley, Kerkhoff and Kerkhoff, Pollard
Pashuk, Balderson and G Rice
(July 27) Magrath Eagles, pennant winners in regular season play, walloped Taber 12-0 to take the semi-final series in two straight games. Walt Pashuk hurled the shutout, allowing just seven hits. Ted Kerkhoff took the loss. Eagles scored four runs in the first inning, helped by two-baggers by Grant Wheeler and Tom Karren, and put the game on ice with six runs in the 5th. Catcher Gordon Rice had two hits for the winners, Tom Kano and Lou Pollard each had a pair for Taber.
Pashuk and G Rice
Kerkhoff, McMurchie (5) and Pollard
(July 27) George Rodzinyak doubled in pitcher Fred Onofrychuk with winning run in the 17th inning to send Lethbridge Miners to the Southern Alberta Senior Baseball semi-finals with an exciting 2-1 victory over Bow Island Combines. Miners took an early lead when Jocko Tarnava doubled then stole third and home. Combines tied the count in the 4th inning as Doug Flamme drove in Pat Knibbs on a fielder's choice. Onofrychuk allowed just seven hits and fanned 15 in doing the distance. Joe Miller also went the route, giving up 13 hits in taking the loss. Miners now meet Magrath Eagles in a best-of-three series. The winner moves on to a series with the winner of the Nisei / Cubs affair.
Steve Ganger tossed seven innings of hitless ball in the exhibition match as Lethbridge notched another 2-1 triumph.
Miller and Allen
Onofrychuk and Tarnava
Phillips and Dragland
Ganger, Currie (8) and J Vaselenak
(July 27) The Niseis upset Lethbridge Cubs 6-2 in the opening game of their series. Lefty Kimoto fired a three-hitter to hold the Cubs in check. The teams combined for 11 errors, six by the Niseis. Four of the five Lethbridge miscues were charged to Clarence Yanosik. Bill Kucheran gave up nine hits in taking the mound defeat.
In the second game, and exhibition affair, Cubs took a 9-0 lead after six innings but had some anxious moments before holding off the Niseis 12-10. Niseis rallied with five runs in the 7th and another five in the 8th. Harley Patterson, pitched into the 8th inning to take the win.
Lefty Kimoto and Yoshinaka
Kucheran and H Yanosik
Saga, Ohno (5) and Yoshinaka, Hirotsu (6)
Patterson, Henderson (8), Stasiuk (8), Walkingshaw (8) and H Yanosik
(July 30) Lethbridge Miners shaded Magrath 5-4 to take a one-game lead in their best-of-three series. A pair of runs in the 6th inning proved enough for the win. Jack Yucytus led off the frame with a single and moved to second as Jim Cattoni drew a base on balls. Yucytus scored as Doran Berlando reached on an error. John Vaselenak's drive to left scored Cattoni with the winner. Tom Karren had given the Eagles the lead in the first inning as he singled and moved to third on Cal Alston's safety. Karren scored when an attempt to nab him at third backfired. Wes Rice drove in Grant Wheeler in the 3rd to give Eagles a 2-0 margin. Miners went ahead with three in the 4th. Hec Negrello blasted a homer to lead off the inning. Singles by Joe Arisman, Mitch Sztaba and Yucytus plated another run and an error led to the third. Eagles bounced back with two in the 5th as Alston doubled in Rice and scored on a single by Walt Pashuk. Negrello scattered ten hits in registering the mound victory. Pashuk went the distance for Magrath.
Pashuk and G Rice
Negrello and Tarnava
(August 3) Lethbridge Miners scored three in the top of the 9th inning to break a 4-4 deadlock to top Magrath 7-4 to move into the Southern Alberta Senior final against Lethbridge Cubs. Miners, who trailed 4-1 after six innings, brought home three runs in the 7th to tie.
Winning pitcher Fred Onofrychuk scored the winner. He singled in the 9th and advanced when Jocko Tarnava was hit by a pitch. Both runners made home on an infield error. Joe Arisman belted a double to knock in the third run.
Three straight singles by Mitch Sztaba, Jack Yucytus and Jim Cottoni followed by Onofrychuk's double gave the Miners their three markers in the 7th.
Cal Alston tripled in Grant Wheeler for the Eagles' first run in the opening frame and Alston drove in Wheeler and Tom Karren in the 3rd. Tarnava led the attack with three hits while Arisman chipped in with a double and single. Eagles won the following exhibition match 8-7 with Forest Balderson and Norm Hillmer on the mound. Lloyd Currie and Rodzinyak handled the mound chores for the Miners.
Onofrychuk and Deak
Pashuk and Rice
Balderson, Hillmer and xxx
Currie, Rodzinyak and xxx
(August 3) In a pair of thrilling encounters at Henderson Park, Lethbridge Cubs downed the Japanese-Canadian Niseis 3-2 and 6-4 to move on to the Southern Alberta Senior final against the Lethbridge Miners. In the 9th inning of the opener, a great throw by Miners' outfielder Dave Brockie cut down Charlie Kitaguchi at the plate with the potential tying run. With the Cubs holding a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the 9th, Lefty Kimoto drove in Yo Nishimura with the Niseis' 2nd run. With two out, and Kitaguchi on second base, Ken Tsujirua clouted a single to left field. Brockie came up with the defensive play of the game to save the contest for the Cubs.
Lethbridge plated a pair in the 3rd inning on a triple by Darwin Walkingshaw and singles by Brockie and John Klem. The Cubs 3rd marker came in the 8th as Les Colwill doubled in Clarence Yanosik. Bill Kucheran pitched an eight-hitter for the win. Kimoto gave up just seven hits in taking the hard-luck loss.
In the second game, the Miners exploded for six runs in the 8th inning to come from behind to score a 6-4 victory. Clarence Yanosik's bases-double was the key blow. Cubs trailed 3-0 when Darwin Walkingshaw began the 8th with a single and stole second. Brockie singled in the first run and scored himself on Johnny Klem's double. Vic Stasiuk and Les Colwill drew walks to load the bases to bring Yanosik to the plate. Kucheran drove in Yanosik with the 6th run. Niseis got one back in the bottom of the 8th when Nobby Abe tripled and came home on a fly ball. With two out in the 9th, Niseis put two men on bases but Kucheran got Nishimura to fly out to end the game. Kucheran, who went the distance in the opener, reliever starter Arnie Godlonton in the second inning and went the rest of the way for his second win of the day.
Kucheran and H Yanosik
L Kimoto and Hirotsu
Godlonton, Kucheran (2) and H Yanosik
L Kimoto and Hirotus
(August 10) Lethbridge Miners won their 14th and 15th games in 16 starts in downing the Lethbridge Cubs 5-4 and 2-1 in the opening games of the Southern Alberta Senior Baseball final. Playing manager Hec Negrello hurled the Miners to the win in the opener and scored the winning marker in the second game. Both clubs scored twice in the first inning of the opener with the Miners taking a 4-2 lead in the 3rd inning on base hits by Mitch Sztaba and Joe Arisman. Sztaba had three hits and drove in three. Negrello allowed nine hits in going the distance. Harley Patterson allowed seven hits and five walks in taking the loss.
In the second game, Miners scored two in the bottom of the 7th inning, helped by a pair of errors and Negrello's double, to notch the win. Fred Onofrychuk was the mound victor over Bill Kucheran.
Patterson and H Yanosik
Negrello and Deak
Kucheran and H Yanosik
Onofrychuk and Deak
(August 17) Lethbridge Miners stunned the favoured Lethbridge Cubs 9-7 to capture the Southern Alberta Baseball title three games to one in their final series. Cubs, down 2 games to none in the best-of-five set, won the afternoon game of the double-header 6-5 before giving up two late runs in the nightcap to end their season.
In the opener, Cubs scored two runs in the first inning and another pair in the 3rd then held off a 9th inning rally by the Miners to notch the 6-5 victory.
Frank Deak gave the Miners a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning with a blast over the left field barrier. Darwin Walkingshaw replied with a drive over the right field wall in the bottom of the inning. Mike Vaselenak scored what proved to be the winner with a homer in the 8th. Cubs carried a 6-1 lead into the 9th when the Miners erupted for four runs, two scoring on Jim Cattoni's homer. Bill Kucheran registered the pitching win over Fred Onofrychuk.
Miners opened the second game with a three-run 1st inning and built the lead to 7-2 with a pair in the 4th but the Cubs erupted for five in the bottom of the 4th to knot the count. Miners scored single runs in the 8th and 9th to take the win and the title. Onofrychuk picked up the mound triumph with four innings of one-hit shutout ball. The teams combined for 17 errors, 10 by the Cubs.
Onofrychuk and Deak
Kucheran and H Yanoski
Negrello, Onofrychuk (5) and Deak
Godlonton, Kucheran (5) and H Yanosik
(August 23) In an unusual move, the Lethbridge Cubs and Japanese-Canadian Niseis are to resume Big Six League play with a contest tomorrow at Henderson Park. The Cubs are trying to break a third-place tie with Taber, behind Magrath and the Lethbridge Miners in the league standings. If the Cubs win both, the Niseis would lose all hope of vacating the league basement and the Cubs would move to just a half game out of second place. If the Niseis should win two, the Cubs would drop to 4th place. When the schedule is completed, all five teams will begin another playoff series to determine the National Baseball Congress title.
(August 23) Lethbridge Miners meet Red Deer Elks Sunday in the opening games of the Alberta Senior final. Miners, the Southern Alberta champions for the second time in three seasons, take on a club which captured the provincial title last season. Miners pulled an upset in winning the Southern Alberta title. Before the playoffs started the Miners had climbed from the league basement to pressing the league-leading Magrath nine for top spot.
(August 24) Lethbridge Cubs, knocked out of the provincial playoffs by the Cubs, scored a pair of victories in Big Six League play at Henderson Park. Cubs downed the Japanese-Canadian Niseis 9-3 in the first game as Bill Kucheran fired a four-hitter and came back to take the second game 7-6. First baseman Darwin Walkingshaw belted a triple, double and single to lead the attack in the opener. Harvey Patterson added a pair of singles. Charlie Kitaguchi and Yoho Kimoto had two hits apiece for the only safeties off Kucheran. Clarence Yanosik punched out four hits, including a triple, to pace the Cubs in the second game. Patterson pitched into the 9th inning to capture the win.
Ohno and Yoshinaka
Kucheran and H Yanosik
Kitaguchi and Yoshinaka
Petterson, Walkingshaw (9) and H Yanosik
CENTRAL ALBERTA LEAGUE
EAST
Red Deer
Stettler
Bentley
Ponoka
Clive
WEST
Benalto
Eckville
Nordegg
Rocky
(August 24) Red Deer Elks took both games of the Alberta Senior baseball playoffs, 6-2 and 5-1 over Lethbridge Miners. Veteran Charley Morris pitched the Elks to the first-game triumph holding the Miners to seven hits to best Hec Negrello. A four-run 5th inning carried the Elks to the second-game win. Dave Martin was the hero both on the mound and at the plate. He fired a four-hitter in his mound duties and cracked a homer, his second of the day, with two aboard. Fred Onofrychuk allowed nine hits in taking the loss.
Negrello and Deak
Morris and Ing
Onofrychuk and Deak
Martin and Ing
(September 7) In a game which produced 33 hits and 15 errors, Red Deer Elks won the Alberta Senior Baseball championship for the second successive year whipping Lethbridge Miners 14-11 to take the best-of-five series in three straight games. The Elks slugged 19 hits, three each by Dave Martin, Pete Kruger, Ken Ing, Bill Service and Milt Ogilivie. Ing's total included a homer and a double.
The Elks erupted for eight runs in the fourth inning as they rapped seven hits, two for extra bases, and were aided by three errors. Hec Negrello of the Miners topped the hitters with four safeties while scoring three times. John Vaselenak and Joe Arisman each had three hits. The game was played in adverse conditions with a powerful wind blowing across the field. Charlie Morris managed to go the route for the win, with 11 strikeouts.
Red Deer also won an evening exhibition game, 11-4.
Morris (W) and Ing
Negrello, Onofrychuk (L) (4) and Deak
The Red Deer Elks had a highly successful season winning 30 of 42 games played. They lost just nine and tied three.
CROW'S NEST PASS BASEBALL LEAGUE :
(June 1) Vince Bosetti and Willie Walasko shared the spotlight as Pincher Creek swept a double-header to kick off the Crow's Nest Pass Baseball League season. After Walasko had limited Fernie to a pair of singles and struck out 11 in the Dominoes 5-1 victory in the first game, Bosetti fired a one-hitter as Pincher Creek took the second game 4-2.
xxx and xxx
Walasko (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
Bosetti (W) and xxx
(June 15) 16-year-old Willie Walasko fanned 21 as Pincher Creek Dominoes whipped Natal - Michel Red Sox 18-2 in the opener of a double-header. Dominoes also took the second game, 15-8. Walasko fired a five-hitter and walked just one. He struck out the last seven batters and has now whiffed 41 in 23 innings of pitching. Dominoes pounded out 25 hits including homers by Reid Olsen, Tony and Bob Harnett. Catcher Joe Homoya had five hits and scored four times. Ray LaGrandeur had four hits while Walter Trentini and Bob Toney each had three safeties.
Robin LaGrandeur led the offense in the second game with four hits. Dino Depaoli, Red Sox playing manager, had a homer, triple and double.
xxx and xxx
Walasko (W) and Homoya
Bob Greene (L), Tom Krall (6) and xxx
Vince Bosetti, Bob Harnett (W) (6) and xxx
(July 26) In a story in the Lethbridge Herald, Willie Walasko won high praise :
"... Walasko has yet to taste defeat in league or playoff warfare. He has hurled 22 innings of playoff ball, registering two of Pincher's three wins, and has struck out 38 batters. Willie has only surrendered three runs and 11 hits and has an earned run average of 1.17." (Lethbridge Herald, July 26, 1952)
(July 1) The host team captured top prize at the Blairmore Dominion Day tournament. Best game of the day was the Pincher Creek - Fernie contest in which the Dominoes won 6-4 to advance to the final against the Blairmore Canucks. Earlier, Willie Walasko fanned 15 as Pincher Creek topped Natal-Michel 8-2. Reid Olsen of Pincher Creek was the day's top hitter with five singles and a double.
(July 20) Willie Walasko celebrated his 17th birthday in style pitching Pincher Creek to a 2-1 victory over Spring Coulee to take the series in straight games. Walasko fanned seven and walked three. Catcher Joe Somoya threw out two runners trying to steal second.
(July 27) Gordie Vejprava's two-run homer in the 7th inning paced Blairmore Canucks to a 10-8 victory over Pincher Creek in the opening game of their Southern Alberta Intermediate Baseball semi-final. Canucks pounded Willie Walasko for 12 hits to hand the right-hander his first defeat of the season in both league and playoff action. John Dobek went the route for the winners allowing 14 hits. Armand Misuraca had four hits for Blairmore while Vejprava also had a double and drove in three runs.
Walasko (L) and Somoya
John Dobek (W) and Joe Dobek
(August 3) Blairmore Canucks crushed Pincher Creek 11-2 to advance to the final round of the Southern Alberta Intermediate playoffs against Medicine Hat. Canucks took the best-of-three series in two straight games. Angus Chala pitched a seven-hitter for the win. He allowed two runs in the first inning then blanked the Dominoes the rest of the way. He walked three and fanned seven. Willie Walasko gave up 13 hits in going the distance for Pincher Creek. he struck out 10 and allowed four bases on balls. Catcher Joe Dobek drove in four runs for the winners with a pair of singles. Chala had a double and single.
Chala (W) and Dobek
Walasko (L) and Somoya
(August 3) Medicine Hat Mercurys moved into the intermediate final with a 11-7 win over Vauxhall.
CHINOOK BASEBALL LEAGUE :
(May 11) Drumheller Miners surprised the home club with a double-header sweep of Purity 99 at Buffalo Park Sunday. Miners held off 9th inning rallies by Purity for 6-2 and 6-5 victories before about 1600 fans at each contest.
John Makos was outstanding on the hill for Drumheller in the opener, allowing just one hit through right innings, five over-all, and fanning 19. He gave up just a one base on balls. The strikeout performance topped the league record of 18 set last season by Bentley MacEwen. Jim Saville belted a homer in the 9th for the Miners.
Makos (W) and Ickringill
Boux (L), Stone (4) and Weaver
Shortstop Saville punched out three hits and scored three times to lead Drumheller in the second game. Art Bertamini also had three hits for the winners. Left-hander Steve Kakuk allowed just four hits in pitching the Miners to the win. Kakuk, who had trouble all game with his control, was part of two highly unusual plays at home. On three occasions he tossed wild pitches with runners on third. Twice catcher Bertamini was quick enough to retrieve the ball and throw to Kakuk for outs at the plate. On the third one, Jim Wallace was beaned by Bertamini in trying to reach Kakuk and a run scored. Loser Lloyd Bradley was touched for 12 hits.
Kakuk (W) and Bertamini
Bradley (L) and Weaver.
(May 11) Universal Mercurys started on the right foot Sunday sweeping a double-header from Twin Cities 4-2 and 7-3 at Longview. Cy Thomas belted a two-run homer in the fourth inning which proved top be the margin of victory. Wally Brown went the route for the Mercs yielding six hits.
Brown (W) and Sabo
Sagstuen (L), Ebner (5) and Lanman
The nightcap at Black Diamond saw Twin Cities jump out in front 3-0 but the Mercurys pushed across seven runs in the fourth on three hits, three walks and three errors. The last five innings were scoreless. Mercurys won with just five hits while Joey Jankola picked up the win giving up 12 hits.
Jankola (W) and Sabo
MacEwen (L) and Lanman
(May 16) After dropping a double-header to the Drumheller Miners last Sunday, Purity 99 attacked with a vengeance Friday for a 17-3 victory. A 15-hit attack, including a homer by Bus Girling, had Purity out in front 6-0 after two innings. Bill Fennessey and Pete Scott led the barrage each with three hits. Mercurys compounded their difficulties making nine errors. Brian Gibson pitched a five-hitter for the win.
Molokoff, O'Neill, Stayura and Sabo
Gibson (W) and Weaver
(May 18) Behind the steady hurling of Bill Brooks and Brian Gibson, Purity 99s took both ends of Sunday's double-header at Standard. Brooks, who clouted a triple to help his cause, held the locals to seven hits in the first game. Gibson, who had a complete game win on Friday, tossed a two-hit shutout in the second contest.
Brooks (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
Gibson (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(May 18) The Miners and Carstairs divided a double bill at Drumheller. John Makos tossed a five-hitter in the opener as the Miners scored all five runs in the eighth inning for the win. Don Kirk was even better in the second game, firing a four-hit shutout as Carstairs bounced back to win the second game.
Brian (L), Kirk (8) and Brookman
Makos (W) and Bertamini
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Sluggett (L), Courtrelle and Ickringill
(May 20) Joe Jankola made Chinook League history with the loop's first-ever no-hitter as the Calgary Universal Mercurys set down Standard 19-0 as the 20-year-old Jankola set a strikeout record by fanning 24 batters. It was the first no-hitter at Buffalo Park in Calgary since Dean Olmstead, brother of hockey-playing Bert, tossed a no-hitter while playing for Purity in the Big Four in 1945. Jankola, who is attending Calgary Technical Institute, walked the first two men in the 6th inning and then struck out 10 consecutive batters. After an infield out, he whiffed the final batter to end the game. Mercurys collected 19 hits led by Harvey Wylie with five and Joe Sabo with four.
McPhee (L), A. Berlando and Duke
Jankola (W) and Sabo
(May 21) Lloyd Bradley was all Purity 99 needed Wednesday night at Buffalo Park as Purity crushed the Air Force Flyers 17-0. Bradley not only hurled a five-hit shutout but slugged a three-run homer which cleared the high wall in right field. He added an RBI single. Bill Fennessey also had a fourmaster to his credit as the 99ers pounded out 14 hits and were aided by 11 free passes. Bing Weaver collected a pair of doubles and a single, driving in four runs.
Lahey (L), Ryan (2), Aikens (6) and Blakely
Bradley (W) and Weaver
(May 22) Mercurys' Wally Brown walked six, but allowed just four hits, in going the route as the Mercs downed Purity 99 6-4 Thursday at Buffalo Park. Harvey Wylie, Bernie Wylie and Joe Sabo each had a pair of hits for the winners. Bill Fennessey had two for Purity.
Brooks (L) and Weaver
Brown (W) and Sabo
(May 24) Carstairs jumped into a 6-0 lead after two innings but the Air Force Flyers roared back Saturday to pull out an 11-9 victory in the first game of a double-header. Playing manager Walt Gully cracked a two-run homer in the fourth to put the Flyers in the lead for good. Brothers Bruce and Cyril Ing clouted homers for the losers. Carstairs came back with a vengeance at night. After taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning they broke loose in the third for nine runs on eight hits. Don Kirk racked up 14 strikeouts in the 14-4 victory.
Archer (L), Wilfrey (W)(5), Kirk (8) and Wilfrey, Alfrey (5)
Austin, Ryan (L) (1), McQueen (9) and Sawyer
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Lahey (L), Dickson (3) and Sawyer
(May 24) Twin Cities celebrated Victoria Day with twin victories over Drumheller. They needed ten innings in the opener to squeeze out a 7-6 victory then secured a 5-4 triumph in the second. Norm Ebner was the winning pitcher in both games, in relief in the first and with a complete game nine-hit effort in the second.
Sluggett, Meadows (10) and Bertamini
MacEwen, N.Ebner (W) (9) and Lanman
J.Berlando (L) and Bertamini
N.Ebner (W) and Lanman
(May 25) Fresh off a double killing on Saturday, Twin Cities split with Standard on Sunday romping to a 9-0 win in the first game as Hans Sagstuen fashioned a four-hit shutout. Standard edged the Oilers 3-2 in the second scoring the winner in the ninth inning.
Neilsen (L) and Hewko
Sagstuen (W) and Lanman
Hughes, A. Berlando (W) (2) and Hewko
Berreth, Yurchak (L) (4) and Thompson
(May 25) Drumheller and the Mercurys exchanged a couple of lopsided decisions Sunday in action at Buffalo Park. John Makos hurled a six-hitter in leading the Miners to a 9-1 victory in the afternoon. They plated four runs in the first inning and coasted to the win. Then in the second game, Joe Jankola, who hurled a no-hitter last time out, allowed just three hits as the Mercurys whipped Drumheller 16-1. He had to pitch out of bases-loaded situations in both the 5th and 9th innings.
Makos (W) and Simoniak
Stayura (L) and Sallis, Boon (7)
Jankola (W) and Kilroe
Kakuk (L), Cattrel (2), Meadows (5) and Bertamini
(May 27) Carstairs eked out a 7-6 win over Purity 99 Tuesday playing at home. Ken Brian held the visitors to four hits to pick up the mound decision. Carstairs collected 14 hits off losing hurler Lloyd Bradley.
Bradley (L) and Weaver
Brian (W) and Brookman
(May 28) In a well-pitched ball game Wednesday, Purity got by the Air Force Flyers 6-2. It was a tense struggle for eight frames with the 99ers ahead 3-2, but Purity, helped by a pair or errors, broke loose for three in the ninth to salt away the victory. Frank Stone was the winner with a four-hitter while Bill Dixon took the loss, also with a four-hit performance.
Stone (W) and Weaver
Dixon (L) and Sawyer
May 28) George Sluggett had a shutout for six innings in helping Drumheller to an 8-2 victory over Standard.
Sluggett (W) and Simoniak
Hootnick (L) and Hewko
(May 28) Catcher Paddy Lanman went three-for-four and knocked in three runs Wednesday as Twin Cities nipped Carstairs 4-3. The Oilers scored a pair in the seventh to overcome a 3-2 deficit. Norm Ebner who relieved in the second inning went the rest of the way for the win besting Carstairs ace lefty Don Kirk.
MacEwen, N.Ebner (W) (2) and Lanman
Kirk (L) and Brookman
(June 11) Errors proved the undoing of Twin Cities Oilers Wednesday as Purity 99 behind the steady pitching of Lloyd Bradley earned an 8-3 victory. Seven Oilers' miscues served to bring across most of Purity's runs. Bradley hurled six-hit ball for the mound decision. Ron English paced the attack with three safeties.
Bradley (W) and Weaver
Berreth (L), Sagstuen (5) and Lanman
(June 11) Jim Seville cracked four hits to lead Drumheller to an easy 9-1 triumph over the Air Force Flyers. George Sluggett held the Flyers to five hits in going the route for the win. The lone Flyer run came off the bat of Ed Renaud who blasted the only home run of the game in the second inning. His fourmaster earned him a pair of shoes as he hit the ball over the Toshach sign in right field.
McQueen (L), Dixon and Sawyer
Sluggett (W) and Ickringill
(June 16) Lefty Don Kirk fired a three-hitter Monday to lead Carstairs over the Mercurys 3-2. Kirk pitched eight shutout innings before two errors, a double and a ground out produced a pair for the losers in the ninth. Howard Krebs, Bruce Ing, Cy Ing and Kirk each had two hits for Carstairs. Joe Sabo had two doubles for the Mercs.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Stayura (L) and Sabo
(June 17) Norm Ebner of Twin Cities and Brian Gibson of Purity are the leading hurlers in the Chinook Baseball League approaching the halfway mark in the schedule. Both moundsmen have 5-0 won-lost records with Ebner boasting an ERA of 0.43 while Gibson sits at 0.58. The statistics are through games of Sunday. Four other pitchers sport unblemished records - John Makos of Drumheller 4-0, Wally Brown Mercurys 4-0, Frank Stone Purity 2-0 and Jack O'Neill of Mercurys 1-0. Joey Jankoka, who fired a non-hitter, is the strikeout king with 75 in 44 innings. He also leads in walks with 28.
IP ER ERA
Ebner Twin Cities 31 1/3 2 0.43
Gibson, Purity 45 3 0.58
Sluggett, Drumheller 23 3 1.17
Stone, Purity 22 3 1.23
Brown, Mercurys 36 5 1.25
MacEwen, Twin Cities 44 8 1.63
Kirk, Carstairs 37 1/ 3 1.68
(June 18) Dale Neilsen of Standard fired a one-hitter but dropped a 5-4 decision to Drumheller. Seven Standard errors and some wild pitches by Neilsen paved the way for the Miners' victory. The only hit off Neilsen was a home run by Art Bertamini.
D. Losoncy, Sluggett (W) (5) and Ickringill
Neilsen (L and Hood
(June 19) The Universal Mercurys trotted out a new moundsman Thursday night and the tall right-hander hurled a strong game in downing Purity 3-2. Charlie Boyd allowed just five hits, walked two and fanned nine. Boyd gave up a pair in the third inning then blanked the 99ers the rest of the way. Left fielder Fred Storey of the Mercs was the lone batter to come up with two hits, both doubles.
Boyd (W) and Sabo
Bradley (L) and Weaver
(June 20) With a circuit clout by Bill Fennessey and the strong arm of Brian Gibson, Purity 99s edged Mercurys 4-2 Friday at Buffalo Park. A crowd of more than 1,500 took in the action as Purity regained top spot in the Chinook loop.
Gibson (W) and Weaver
Brown (L) and Sabo
(June 24) A seven-run seventh inning carried the Drumheller Miners to an 8-2 victory over the RCAF Flyers Tuesday at Drumheller. Jim Saville had the key blow in the big inning knocking in three runs with a long double. John Makos pitched shutout ball until the ninth when he yielded the two runs. Makos allowed only three hits.
McQueen (L) and Sawyer
Makos (W) and Bertamini
(June 25) A six run outburst in the third inning Wednesday gave Carstairs a lopsided 13-5 win over the Universal Mercurys. Ken Ing led the locals with three hits while Joe Sabo collected three for the losers. Don Kirk picked up the win.
Boyd (L) and Sabo
Kirk (W) and Ing
(June 25) Purity 99 got a two-hitter by Frank Stone Wednesday and downed Twin Cities 5-1. Shortstop Pete Scott paced the attack with three hits, one of them for two bases. Paddie Lanman did the scoring for the Oilers with a home run in the seventh inning.
Sagstuen (L), MacEwen (6) and Lanman
Stone (W) and Thederahn
(June 26) Purity 99 hammered three Air Force hurlers for a total of 19 hits Thursday in demolishing the Flyers 16-1. Air Force had 11 hits but were held in check by Lloyd Bradley. Six errors didn't help the Flyers' cause. Jim Lenz paced the winners with four hits, including a home while Bradley also recorded four safeties. Bing Weaver and Ron English each connect for three hits. Ed Renaud accounted for the lone Flyers' run with a homer in the ninth.
Bradley (W) and Weaver
Dixon (L), Ryan (2), Rivard (7) and Blakely
(June 27) Jim Saville smacked a homer to win a pair of shoes and Jim McKinnon slugged a pair of doubles and two singles to lead the Drumheller Miners to an 11-2 romp over Standard.
A.Berlando, Neilsen and Hewko
Berlando and Bertamini
(June 27) With outstanding pitching by Bert Lahey Friday, the RCAF Flyers trounced Universal Mercurys 7-1. Lahey fired a one-hitter, a fifth inning single by Mercs pitcher Jack O'Neill. Lahey struck out four and walked three.
O'Neill (L) and Boyd, Sallis
Lahey (W) and Blakely
(June 29) With Bill Fennessey providing the big hits, Purity 99'ers swept Sunday's double-header besting Carstairs 9-2 and 3-1. They broke open a 1-1 game with a four-run outburst in the fifth inning of the opener as Brian Gibson went eight innings for the win. A three-run third inning paid off for a win in the second game. Bill Fennessey's double was the key blow. Frank Stone hurled a six-hitter for the win.
Brian (L), Schroeder and Brookman
Gibson (W), Bradley (9) and Weaver
Stewart and Brookman
Stone (W) and Thederahn
(June 29) At Drumheller, the Miners and the Mercurys split a pair. With John Makos firing a six-hitter Miners took the first game 5-3. In the night contest, the Mercs exploded with 17 hits in an 11-2 victory. Jerry Stayura held the Miners to just four safeties.
Doray (L) and Sabo
Makos (W) and Simoniak
Stayura (W) and Johnson
Sluggett (L), Losoncy and Simoniak
(July 1) Two large holiday crowds took in the action at Black Diamond Tuesday as Twin Cities knocked off the Universal Mercurys in two exciting games of a double-header, 4-2 and 5-3. In the opener the Oilers scored two in the bottom of the eighth for the win and in the second game came from behind with two in the eighth and another in the bottom of the ninth for the victory. Steve Yurchak twirled a six hitter in the first game and Norm Ebner did likewise in the nightcap.
O'Neill (L) and Sabo, Johnson (6), Sallis (9)
Yurchak (W) and Lanman
Stayura L) and Boon
N.Ebner (W) and Lanman
(July 1) Don Kirk picked up pitching victories in both games as Carstairs put down Standard 10-1 and 12-7 in Tuesday's twin bill. Kirk held the visitors to four hits in a complete game effort in the opener and relieved starter Eddie Archer in the fifth inning of the second game.
McPhee (L) and Hood
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Neilsen (L) and Hood
Archer, Kirk (5) and Ing
(July 1) In a thrilling day of baseball at Buffalo Park, Drumheller Miners walked off with the spoils in two extra-inning contests, defeating Purity 2-0 in 10 innings and 11-5 in a 13 inning affair. In the first game, with two out, four straight singles brought in the winner. Jim Berlando hurled four-hit ball for the winners. Lloyd Bradley was tagged for ten hits in going the distance to take the loss.
In the second game, the 99ers broke a 3-3 deadlock with a run in the eighth, but Purity scored two in the top of the ninth to take a 5-4 advantage. Ron McPherson excited the crowd in the bottom of the ninth with a homer over the right field wall to send the game into extra frames. There were two out in the 13th when the Miners started their six-run rally. Bill Thederahn of Purity and George Meadows of Drumheller were both tossed for protesting called third strikes. John Makos fanned 14 in going all the way for the Miners. Bradley also took the second game defeat after coming in as a reliever in the eighth.
J.Berlando (W) and Bertamini
Bradley (L) and Thederahn
Makos and Simoniak
Stone, Bradley (8) and Weaver
(July 4) In a swatfest at Buffalo Park Friday, Mercurys outlasted Standard winning 16-10. Harvey Wylie paced a 15-hit Mercs attack with two doubles and a pair of one baggers. Angelo Pozzo cracked three hits for Standard. Bentley MacEwen, toiling for the Mercurys for the first time since obtaining his release from Twin Cities went six innings for the win.
Neilsen (L), Hootnik (7), Tkachuk (7) and Hewko, Hood (3_
MacEwen (W), O'Neill (7) and Sabo, Johnson (7)
(July 6) The two teams combined for 53 hits and 54 runs Sunday as Drumheller and Twin Cities divided a double-header. Miners scored 13 runs in the first inning en route to a 26-3 rout in the opener while Twin Cities knocked out 20 hits, had a six run first inning, in a 17-8 triumph in the second game.
J.Berlando (W) and Bertamini
Kelly (L), K.Ebner (1), Kinniburgh (1) and Lanman
R.Berlando (L), Sluggett (1), Meadows (5) and Bertamini
Yurchak (W) and Lanman
(July 6) The offensive splurge continued in action at Standard as the Universal Mercurys whipped the home club 22-0 and 15-8 on a day on which Standard made 26 errors. 13 in each game. Jerry Stayura was superb in the opener with a two-hit shutout. Mercurys took the night game 15-8 with Leroy Bond and Charlie Boyd hurling for the winners.
Stayura (W) and Boon
Dermott, Hughes (4) and Hood, Hewko (7)
Bond (W), Boyd (8) and Johnson
Hood (L), Hughes (5) and Dropko
(July 6) Carstairs and the RCAF each got a win in Sunday's double dip at Buffalo Park. Don Kirk threw a six-hitter with 13 strikeouts as Carstairs took the first game 2-1. Ron Leisemer led the offense with a pair of doubles. Tony Sawyer had three hits for the Flyers. In the second game, Flyers scored six times without a hit in the sixth inning and went on to top Carstairs 13-4. They combined five walks and five errors in the big inning. Mac McQueen went the route for the winners fanning ten. Lee Landrum slugged a homer for the RCAF.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Ryan (L) and Landrum
Brian, K.Ing and K.Ing, C.Ing
McQueen (W) and Landrum
(July 8) Universal Mercurys racked up a 6-1 decision over the RCAF Flyers Tuesday at Buffalo Park to consolidate their hold on fourth place in the standings. Behind the solid four-hit pitching of Bentley MacEwen, the Mercurys had little trouble defeating the airmen. They sewed up the victory with a four-run spree in the third. Charlie Boyd and Hank Bassen provided the big blows of the evening, triples, while Jack Steel had a big night with four hits, one a double. MacEwen fanned 13.
Lahey (L), Dixon (4) and Landrum
MacEwen (W) and Boon
(July 9) Power hitting and errors were in the mix Wednesday as Purity 99 thumped Universal Mercurys 17-3. Decked out in their new black and white uniforms, 99s hammered out 18 hits, scoring in every inning. Pete Scott cracked a home run, Ron English came through with a triple and two doubles and Paul Sembaliuk, Jim Wallace and Jim Lenz all had two-baggers. Charlie Boyd was the offense for the Mercurys with a three-run homer in the third. Mercurys hurt their chances making seven errors. Purity had five. Frank Stone went five innings to pick up the win and Bill Bunnidge finished up allowing just one hit and no runs in four innings of work.
Stayura (L), Doray (3) and Boon
Stone (W), Bunnidge (6) and Thederahn
(July 9) A six-run uprising in the sixth inning broke up a close game as Carstairs smacked Twin Cities 11-3. Cyril Ing drove in four runs on a homer, double and single to pace the winners. John Kelly checked in with three hits for the Twins. Don Kirk fanned 15 in hurling the victory.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Berrreth (L), Cole (6) and Lanman
(July 10) In a game which lasted nearly three hours, RCAF Flyers outclassed Standard 12-5. Cliff Brown was the main man for the winners with a four-hit performance. Bill Dixon went the route for the mound triumph giving up ten hits.
Hughes (L), Neilsen (6) and Hood
Dixon (W) and Landrum
(July 13) Air Force Flyers and Twin Cities split a double bill at Buffalo Park Sunday. The airmen were walloped 14-7 in the afternoon but rebounded for a 6-2 win in the nightcap. Home runs by Kurt Ebner and John Kelly highlighted the Twins' afternoon triumph which featured 19 hits. Ebner and Ray Farrar each rapped four hits. Cliff Brown collected four for the Flyers. Norm Ebner pitched into the ninth for his ninth successive win.
Collecting just five hits, the Flyers turned the table in the evening taking a 6-2 verdict. A five-run fifth inning told the tale. Mac McQueen threw a five-hitter for the win.
N.Ebner (W), Berreth (9) and Lanman
Lahey (L), Ryan (2), McKinnon (9) and Landrum
Yurchak (L), Cole (4) and Lanman
McQueen (W) and Landrum
(July 13) Carstairs and the Miners divided their double header at Drumheller. Don Kirk threw a gem, allowing just four hits in blanking the Miners 5-0 in the opening game. The visitors busted out in the nightcap pounding out 15 hits for 15 runs against three Carstairs hurlers.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Makos (L) and Simoniak
Kreb, Tugo, Loewen and Brookman
Jim Berlando (W) and Ickringill
(July 13) Purity 99's were a hitting force Sunday in slamming 34 hits to wallop Standard 10-5 and 26-6 in the twin bill. Standard made it easy for the 99s to run up the scoreboard making 16 errors, 11 in the second game. Lloyd Bradley and Chuck Tanner hurled the victories each allowing ten hits. Bing Weaver and Bill Fennessey cracked homers for the winners, Dropko and Harper replied for Standard.
Bradley (W) and Weaver
McPhee (L) and Hewko
Tanner (W) and Weaver
Demott (L), Plant (7), Berlando (8), Tkachuk (8) and Dropko
(July 14) Purity 99 stretched their lead atop the standings Monday night when they squeezed out an 8-7 victory over Universal Mercurys. An outfield error on Bing Weaver's liner to right in the ninth inning resulted in the winning run. The game featured three home runs, Jim Lenz for the 99ers and Herb Goodwin and Hank Bassen for the losers.
Gibson, Stone (W) (6) and Weaver
MacEwen (L) and Sabo
(July 16) At Standard, the last place team pulled an upset by turning back Drumheller Miners 6-4. Standard produced 14 hits in the victory. Dale Neilsen survived 12 hits to go the distance for the mound victory.
Losoncy (L), J.Berlando (6) and Ickringill
Neilsen (W) and Hood
(July 16) Ace lefty Don Kirk silenced the Mercurys on three hits Wednesday and Carstairs walked off with a 2-0 shutout. Jack O'Neill pitched six-hit ball for the losers.
O'Neill (L) and Sabo
Kirk (W) and Brookman
(July 25) Carstairs topped the RCAF Flyers 7-5 in a Friday contest at Carstairs. Don Loewen went eight innings for the win, helped by Don Kirk in the ninth.
McQueen, Ryan, Dixon and xxx
Loewen (W), Kirk (9) and xxx
(July 27) Twin Cities and the Mercurys split Sunday's double-header at Buffalo Park. Mercs took the afternoon affair 6-2 and the Oilers bounced back to win 4-1 in the nightcap.
In the opener, Bentley MacEwen, who started the season with Twin Cities, handcuffed his former mates on four safeties. Mercurys tagged Steve Yurchak for nine.
Hans Sagstuen had little difficulty in the night contest limiting the Mercurys to four hits. Bud Doray took the loss giving up ten safeties. Shortstop Leroy Bond led a nine-hit offensive with three.
Yurchak (L) and Lanman
MacEwen (W) and Sabo
Sagstuen (W) and Lanman
Doray (L) and Sabo
(July 28) Eddie Archer had a no-hitter into the ninth inning Monday before giving up a pair in the ninth in an easy 9-2 Carstairs victory over the Mercurys. Harvey Wylie opened the final frame with a single to short centre field to break up the no-hit bid. Archer fanned 15 and walked two. Ron Leisemer and John Brookman each with three hits led a 15-hit attack which included a homer by Don Loewen in the ninth.
Archer (W) and Brookman
Stayura (L) and Sabo
(July 30) John Makos held Standard to three hits Wednesday as Drumheller Miners clobbered the tail-enders 14-2 with a 13 hit attack.
Makos (W) and Simoniak
Hughes (L) McPhee (4) and Hewko
(July 30) Universal Mercurys, fighting for a playoff spot, trounced Carstairs 7-1 Wednesday at Didsbury.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(July 30) Already with a two-run lead, Purity 99 exploded for 15 runs in the second inning to bury Twin Cities 22-9 at Buffalo Park. 13 of the runs came after there were two out. Bill Fennessey drove in six runs and scored five with a pair of homers, two doubles and a single. Ron McPherson added three hits, one a home run. Frank Stone, who allowed 14 hits, coasted to the easy win, striking out seven and walking just one.
K.Ebner (L), Kinniburgh (2), Kelly (2) and Lanman
Stone (W) and Thederahn
(August 2) Andy McPhee was a hero for Standard Saturday hurling both games of a double-header as they surprised the Universal Mercurys 4-1 and 10-3. McPhee allowed just six hits in the first and five in the second.
Stayurs (L), MacEwen (7) and Sabo
McPhee (W) and Hood
O'Neill (L), Steele (5) and Sabo, Boyd (7)
McPhee (W) and Hood
W L GB
Purity 20 10 ---
Drumheller 21 13 1.0
Carstairs 20 13 1.5
Twin Cities 19 15 3.0
Mercurys 18 20 6.0
Air Force 11 24 11.5
Standard 6 29 16.5
(August 3) Cellar-dwelling Standard was no march for Purity 99 in Sunday's double header at Buffalo Park as the home club romped to 9-2 and 20-0 victories as Standard racked up 23 errors. Chuck Tanner scattered nine hits to collect the hill triumph in the first game. Lloyd Bradley fired a two-hitter for the shutout in the second contest as Purity slugged 19 hits off three Standard hurlers. Bradley helped his own cause with a two run homer in the second inning and Bill Fennessey added another in the fourth. Fennessey had seven hits in the two games. Andy McPhee belted a four-master for Standard in the first game.
Neilsen (L), Hughes (8) and Hood
Tanner (W) and Thederahn
Berlando (L), McPhee (4), Hughes (5), and Hood, McPhee (7)
Bradley (W) and Thederahn
(August 3) Twin Cities Oilers took both games of Sunday's double-bill at Longview, beating RCAF Flyers 7-2 and 10-8. Oilers pounded out 32 hits in the two contests. In the second game, Flyers had an 8-2 lead in the fifth inning before Twin Cities scored eight straight runs to post the triumph. Norm Ebner with help from Hans Sagstuen was the winning pitcher in the opener and Sagstuen captured the win in the second after relieving John Kelly in the fifth.
McQueen (L), Ryan (5) and Landrum
N.Ebner (W), Sagstuen (8) and Lanman
Sawyer, McQueen (4), McKinnon (6), Ryan (7) and Blakely
Kelly, Sagstuen (W) (5) and Lanman
(August 3) Carstairs and Drumheller split their double-header. Carstairs took the opener 8-4 with Ken Brian hurling a six hitter. The Miners rapped 17 hits in the second game to win 14-6. Morris went the distance to register the mound win.
Berlando (L) and Ickringill
Brian (W) and Brookman
Morris (W) and Simoniak
Stewart (L), Loewen (6) and C.Ing, Brookman
(August 13) Hans Sagstuen hurled four-hit ball Wednesday at Longview as Twin Cities downed Purity 99 4-2. Trailing 2-1, Twin Cities pushed across three runs in the seventh inning for the win.
Bradley (L) and xxx
Sagstuen (W) and xxx
(August 13) Universal Mercurys scored four runs in the first inning and cruised to a 6-1 triumph over Carstairs. Bentley MacEwen fired a three-hitter for the win while Eddie Archer allowed seven in a losing cause. The teams were playing in the bottom of the eighth when the lights went out and the game was called. Big blow of the game was Charlie Boyd's three-run homer in the first frame. Back to back doubles by Joe Sabo and Hank Bassen brought in the fourth run. MacEwen had 10 strikeouts, one less than Archer.
Archer (L) and Brookman
MacEwen (W) and Sabo
(August 14) For unknown reasons, the RCAF Flyers and Standard decided not to play their scheduled game at Buffalo Park Thursday night. Both teams were on hand and the park was in readiness when it was suddenly decided not to go ahead.
(August 19) In a sterling pitching matchup at Carstairs, Don Kirk and Bill Dickson each tossed one-hitters as Kirk's Carstairs nine edged RCAF 1-0 in a seven inning contest. The only run came in the first inning.
Dickson (L) and Blakely
Kirk (W) and Brookman
(August 20) Drumheller Miners rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth and final inning to shade Standard 7-5 Wednesday at home. Standard had scored three in the top of the eighth to go ahead 5-3. Steve Kakuk allowed six hits in going the distance for the winners.
Berlando (L) and Dropko
Kakuk (W) and Ickringill
(August 20) The league-leading Purity 99ers topped Twin Cities 7-4 Wednesday night. 13 errors, seven by Purity were responsible for eight of the eleven runs. Ron McPherson clouted a three-run homer over the right-field wall in the eighth to salt away the victory. Frank Stone limited the Oilers to five hits in chalking up his 10th win of the season. Hans Sagstuen took the loss.
Sagstuen (L), Kelly (5) and Lanman
Stone (W) and Weaver
(August 24) The 1952 Chinook regular season ended with a flurry of activity Sunday
At Buffalo Park, Purity took a pair from Carstairs, 7-6 and 7-2. Home runs by Bill Fennessey and Bill Thederahn proved the difference in the first game as each had a two-run blast. Chuck Tanner picked up the win with 9th inning help from Lloyd Bradley. Bill Bunnidge pitched a four-hitter as Purity took the second game.
Brian (L) and Brookman
Tanner (W), Bradley (9) and Thederahn
Stuart (L), Kirk (3) and C. Ing, Brookman (3)
Bunnidge (W) and Weaver
At Drumheller, the Miners swept two from Universal Mercurys 5-4 and 16-15 and dropped the Mercurys out of playoff contention.
O'Neill, Steele, Boyd and Sabo
Andronyk (W) and Ickringill
MacEwen, O'Neill, Steele and Sabo
Kakuk and Ickringill
Twin City Oilers traveled to Standard for a four-game set, winning three of the six-inning games, 9-6, 6-0 and 5-2 while dropping a 1-0 contest. However, they also gained credit for the fourth win as Standard used ineligible players.
Kelly (W) and Lanman
Berlando (L) and McPhee, Hood (4)
Berreth (W) and Lanman
McPhee (L) and Hood
Yurchak and Lanman
Neilson and Hood
Sagstuen (W) and Lanman
Neilson (L), Fong (2), Hughes (4) and Hood
The Chinook League's executive made it even worse for tail-end Standard taking away four of the team's six victories because of the use of an ineligible player. It was ruled that Andy Devost had not met league requirements. The decision gave Mercurys two more wins and Drumheller and Air Force one apiece.
W L PCT
Purity 99 34 12 .739
Drumheller 29 13 .690
Carstairs 27 16 .628
Twin Cities 25 21 .543
Mercurys 24 22 .522
Air Force 14 29 .326
Standard 2 42 .045
Semi-Finals Carstairs vs Drumheller & Twin Cities vs Purity 99
(August 26) Carstairs shaded Drumheller 5-3 Tuesday in the opening game of their Chinook League playoff series. Don Kirk held the Miners to just three hits in gaining the mound victory. Trailing 2-1 after seven innings, Carstairs rallied with four runs in the eighth for the triumph. Mac McQueen yielded just five hits in taking the loss.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
McQueen (L) and Ickringill
(August 26) Manager Lloyd Bradley, again short on pitchers at a critical juncture, took things into his own hands Tuesday in the first game of their Chinook League semi-final with Twin Cities. Bradley, who lost the services of pitcher Brian Gibson through illness, turned star reliever and run-scorer as the 99ers to beat the Oilers 6-4 to take the series lead. Frank Stone started for Purity but got into trouble in the fourth allowing one run and putting two on base with just one out. Bradley came in and gave up a hit which scored two runs to put the Oilers in the lead 4-3, but he then blanked Twin Cities on three hits for the last five innings while the 99ers plated singletons in the fourth, sixth and eighth for the win. Bradley singled in the sixth and scored the go-ahead run and walked and added an insurance marker when he scored in the eighth. The Oilers out-hit Purity 14-9. Steve Yurchak, the Oilers' starter didn't get out of the first inning, giving up five hits for three runs before Hans Sagstuen relieved.
Yurchak, Sagstuen (1) and Lanman
Stone, Bradley (W) (4) and Weaver
(August 28) After ten dandy innings there was no winner as Carstairs and Drumheller battled to a 2-2 deadlock. Dale Neilsen, a replacement from Standard, went the route for the Miners and allowed nine hits. Ken Brian started for Carstairs, giving way to Ted Archer in the fifth. Tied at 1-1 after eight innings, Drumheller scored in the top of the ninth to take the lead but Archer helped his own cause with a triple in the bottom of the frame to tie the score.
Neilson and Ickringill
Brian, Archer (5) and Brookman
(August 28) In another low-scoring affair, Twin Cities shaded Purity 2-1 to even their series at a game apiece. The 99ers started the game in grand fashion as Reg Van Wassenhove powered a homer over the right field fence to start the game. The Oilers squared the count in the same inning when Roy Farrar singled, advanced on sacrifice, stole third and romped home on an infield error.
Oilers got the deciding marker in the fourth when Dal Perry crossed the plate on an error after opening the inning with a single. Norm Ebner hurled a three-hitter although he needed help in the ninth from Hans Sagstuen. Bing Weaver and Bill Fennessey were both nabbed at the plate in attempts to tie the count.
Bunnidge, Bradley (L) (3) and Weaver
Ebner (W), Sagstuen (9) and Lanman
(September 1) Twin Cities Oilers advanced to the Chinook League final Sunday handing the defending champion Purity 99 a 9-6 setback. Oilers unleashed a 16-hit attack including home runs by John Kelly and Roy Farrar.
Hans Sagstuen started for the Oilers but was replaced by Kelly in the fifth. Norm Ebner relieved in the eighth and Kelly returned in the ninth to face three batters before Ebner came back to complete the inning. Sagstuen got credit for the win.
Sagstuen (W), Kelly (5), N.Ebner (8), Kelly (9), Ebner (9) and xxx
Bradley (L) and Weaver
(September 1) Don Kirk put on another sterling display Monday before a huge crowd to pitch Carstairs to a 3-1 victory over Drumheller and a slot in the Chinook League final. Kirk allowed four hits. He missed a shutout when Jack Andronyk smacked a homer in the eighth.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Neilsen (L) and Ickringill
(September 3) Jack Steele of the Universal Mercurys and Bill Fennessey of Purity 99 were the hitting stars of the 1952 Chinook League. Steele, with a late season spurt - he had five straight hits in one stretch - took the batting crown with a .382 average. John Kelly of Twin Cities was second at .370 and Jim Saville of Drumheller finished third with a .364 mark. Fennessey, who was 5th at .340, was tops in runs, 51, hits, 68, home runs, 10, and runs batted in, 49. Saville had the most doubles, 16. Gordon Mundle of Twin Cities had the most steals, 30.
Carstairs lefty Don Kirk was well out in front with 16 wins. He also had the best earned run average, 1.46, and topped the circuit in innings pitched, 160, and strikeouts, 230. Brian Gibson of Purity 99, with a perfect 11-0 record, and Frank Stone, also of Purity, at 10-0, tied for the best winning percentage. Kirk wound up at 16-2.
Chinook Final Playoff Carstairs vs Twin Cities
(September 3) Backed by the six-hit pitching of Don Loewen, Carstairs whipped Twin Cities 7-1 Wednesday in the opening game of the best-of-five series for the Chinook Amateur Baseball League championship. Mernus Casebeer and Hugh Wilson led the winners each with three hits.
Loewen (W), Archer (8) and Brookman
Kelly (L), Sagstuen (4), and McLean, Lanman (4)
(September 5) A 16-game winner during the regular schedule, southpaw Don Kirk continued his outstanding season Friday with a two-hit shutout, with 20 strikeouts, as Carstairs dumped Twin Cities 9-0 to take a two game lead in the final series. It was a 2-0 game after six innings before Carstairs broke loose with two in the seventh and five in the eighth to assure the victory.
Ebner (L), Kelly (2) and Lanman
Kirk (W) and Brookman
(September 7) After an unsuccessful bid to win the Chinook crown last year, Carstairs made the grade Sunday when they walloped Twin Cities 12-2 to take the best-of-five series in three straight games. Carstairs had just one more hit than the Oilers, 10 to 9, but Twin Cities booted the ball ten times. They made a total of 26 errors in the three games. Again, it was Don Kirk with a superb outing to win for Carstairs. The left-hander scattered nine hits in going the distance. He fanned eight. League president Sam Irwin presented Carstairs with the new league trophy following the game.
Kirk (W) and Brookman
Sagstuen (L), Yurchak (8) and Lanman
WHEATBELT LEAGUE
(September 18-19) Ted Murray's dramatic bases loaded double in the ninth inning of the deciding game of the playoffs has given Grande Prairie Mercurys the 1952 Wheatbelt League championship.
Trailing 3-2, with two outs, in the bottom of the final stanza Rouleau singled, pinch hitter Max Swanson drew a walk and Alex Malarchuk singled to fill the sacks.
Murray smacked a 1-1 pitch to deep left centre field to clear the bases for the 5-3 victory.
Sexsmith led 3-0 until the sixth when Murray and Pete Wright scored for the Mercurys.
Grande Prairie had won the first two games of the final 4-1 and 8-1 but Rainiers battled back to tie winning 9-3 and 6-5.