For the first time in a number of years, Southern League membership remained static in 1953 as all six clubs returned to the circuit for another season.
(May 16) A two out single by Doug Hingley in the 9th inning enabled the Regina Royal Caps to squeeze through with a 4 - 3 win over the Notre Dame Hounds as the Southern League received its official sendoff for the 1953 campaign. Hingley's single scored winning pitcher Vic "Lefty" Wall with the winning counter and sent loser Lionel L'Heureux down to a heart-breaking defeat. Hingley and Claire Rothermal each stroked out a brace of raps for the Royal Caps. Murray Huck, George Woodard and Frank Germann all collected two safeties for Notre Dame.
L'Heureux (L) and Padewski
Harrison, L. Woolley (4), Wall (W) (7) and Lysack
(May 17) The Regina Red Sox broke a 3 - 3 deadlock by scoring four runs in the 5th inning and later weathered a four run outburst by the Avonlea Arrows before winning 11 - 8. Wes Richardson went the route for the Sox to gain credit for the win. Loser Garnet Campbell lasted on the Arrows' hill until the 6th and, in the 7th, unleashed a grand slam home run to lead the 14 hit Avonlea offense. Art Rennie had a three RBI triple for the Red Sox.
Richardson (W) and Turner
Garnet Campbell (L), Gordon Campbell (6), Tysdal (9) and Smukowich
(May 17) The Notre Dame Hounds evened their week-end record at 1 - 1 by trouncing the Milestone Athletics 11 - 2. The Collegians pounced on losing pitcher Lawrence Diehl and reliever Ed Heidt for twelve hits by the end of the 3rd inning and had piled up an insurmountable 9 - 1 lead at that point. Rudy Schiebelbein and Dale Steele shared mound duties for the winners.
Diehl (L), Heidt (3) and McNabb
Schiebelbein (W), Steele (7) and Padewski
(May 20) After being coaxed out of retirement, veteran Ralph Hogg of the Weyburn Beavers returned to the mound in a relief role and helped the Soo-Liners win their initial start in 1953 Southern League play as they turned back the Regina Red Sox 10 - 7. Taking the hill in the 3rd, Hogg quickly squelched a Red Sox rally, survived a shaky 4th frame and then settled in to hurl a very steady last five innings to pick up the win. Lawrence Janis, the second of three Red Stocking' elbowers, was handed the setback. Doug Shupe, John Helfrick, Russ Casemore, shortstop Keith Sampson and versatile veteran Keith Covert all had two hits for the Beavers with one of Covert's being a triple. For the Redlegs, catcher Bob Turner led the ten hit attack with three singles. With two hits apiece were Orville Off, Sam Goodhue and George McFadyen. Off's brace included a triple.
Covert, Hogg (W) (3) and Mayor
Booth, Janis (L) (4), Richardson (5) and Turner
(May 22) Ken Ebbeson's two run single in the 9th inning saved the Milestone Athletics from their second loss in the young season and salvaged a 5 - 5 deadlock with the Regina Royal Caps in a game called after nine innings because of darkness. Both squads banged out eleven safeties in this evenly fought affair. For the visiting Athletics, Eric Snell had a trio of base blasts, one of which was a triple while outfielder Johnny Coleshaw had a pair. Jackie Fulton led the Royal Caps with three blows while Lloyd Woolley kicked in with two.
Bell, Heidt (5) and Buckmeyer
L. Woolley, Harrison (9) and Lysack
(May 22) The Weyburn Beavers made their Southern League home debut and handed the Notre Dame Hounds an 8 - 3 trouncing behind the five hit pitching performance of veteran Gayle Shupe who fanned twelve along the way. The Beavers' Jack Scoles rapped two Hounds' pitchers for four hits in pacing the Weyburn offense. Notre Dame's Rudy Schiebelbein was tagged with the loss. Weyburn's shortstop Keith Sampson and Hounds' catcher John Padewski each drilled a pair of hits. Pat Claggett blasted a bases empty home run in the 5th for the Dogs.
Schiebelbein (L), Steele (7) and Padewski
G. Shupe (W) and Covert
(May 26) The Regina Royal Caps pushed across the game's lone tally in the top of the 9th to edge the Weyburn Beavers 1 - 0 in a Southern League thriller highlighted by the mound work of winner Lefty Harrison and hard-luck loser Ralph Hogg. Coming off the bench to lead off the 9th, pinch-hitter Wendell Clark of the Reginans singled and was replaced by pinch-runner Vic Wall who promptly stole second. Two batters later, Clair Rothermal drove in the winning run with his second hit of the contest. Jim Burge of the Beavers also had two hits.
Harrison (W) and Lysack
Hogg (L) and Covert
(June 2) The Weyburn Beavers strengthened their hold on second place in the Southern League when they edged the Regina Red Sox 3 - 2. Gayle Shupe went the distance for the Beavers giving up just six hits and striking out eleven Red Sox batters. The Crimson Hose scored their only two runs, both unearned, in the initial frame but Shupe held them scoreless thereafter. George McFadyen went the route for the Redlegs and took the loss. In a close play at the plate, the Beavers' Jack Shupe was credited with an inside-the-park home run, barely escaping the tag of Regina catcher Bob Turner. Jack Scoles' fly ball out in the 8th plated victorious chucker Shupe with the winning tally. Weyburn's John Helfrick and the Sox' Turner were the only stick men with two hits in this game.
McFadyen (L) and Turner
G. Shupe (W) and Covert
(June 5) The forced layoff brought about by outrageous weather that took such a heavy toll on the Southern League schedule the past few weeks had little effect on the play of the defending champion Regina Royal Caps as they racked up a 4 - 2 decision over the Regina Red Sox when league action resumed. The win was the third in as many starts for the Royal Caps who were backed by the four hit twirling of southpaw Vic Wall. The Royal Caps didn't fare much better in the hitting department and were only able to collect five safeties from the slants of two Red Sox' moundsmen. Lawrence Janis, in from the bullpen as a 5th inning reliever, was nailed with the loss. First baseman Ed Prosofsky of the Red Stockings was the only hitter who came through with a brace of raps in the contest.
Wall (W) and Lysack
Leverick, Janis (L) (5) and Turner
(June 10) The Weyburn Beavers kept within striking distance of the top rung in the Southern League as they drubbed the Avonlea Arrows 12 - 3. Ralph Hogg, backed by solid defensive support, effectively spaced ten hits in going the distance for the win. Gordon Campbell started on the hill for Avonlea and was charged with the loss after being chased in the 6th. Jim Burge paced the winners at the plate collecting a home run and two singles. John Helfrick with a double and two singles also aided the Beavers' offensive output while losing hurler Campbell socked a double and two singles for the Arrows.
Gordon Campbell (L), Scott (6) and Smith
Hogg (W) and Covert
(June 10) The Regina Royal Caps ran their unbeaten streak to four as they handcuffed the Regina Red Sox 8 - 1 behind the effective hurling of portsider Lloyd Woolley. Losing hurler Tommy Leverick started for the Red Sox but was driven to the showers in the 3rd. Ed Prosofsky of the Sox had a 7th inning triple and was the only runner to reach as far as third base on Woolley. Jackie Fulton, Lou Lysack and second sacker Claire Rothermal, all with two raps, paced the Royal Caps eleven hit output.
Leverick (L), McFadyen (3) and Turner
L. Woolley (W), Larter (8) and Lysack
(June 12) The Regina Royal Caps continued to maintain their jinx over the Weyburn Beavers, beating the Soo-liners 8 - 3 in a Southern League fixture. The victory was the 5th straight for the Reginans who have yet to taste defeat this season. Both clubs banged out the same number of hits but the Royal Caps managed to bunch theirs. Lefty Harrison got the pitching win over the Beavers' Gayle Shupe. Three players from each team (Jack Shupe, Jim Burge and John Helfrick of Weyburn plus Jackie Fulton, Bunny Smith and Doug Hingley of Regina) contributed two hits. Bill Kyle of the Royal Caps cranked out a three run homer in the 8th.
G. Shupe (L) and Covert
Harrison (W) and Lysack
(June 13) With Gordon Campbell turning in a spectacular mound performance, the Avonlea Arrows trounced the Regina Royal Caps 8 - 1, handing the Queen City contingent their first defeat of the season. Campbell allowed only three hits, all singles, struck out four and didn't walk a batter. The only Royal Cap run scored was unearned. It was the first win in three starts for the Arrows. In the batters' box, Campbell also produced, slapping out two hits, one of which was a triple. Other Avonlea batters with a brace were his brother, Garnet, Archie Sanderson and shortstop Everett Lee.
Wall (L) and Lysack
Gordon Campbell (W) and Smukowich
(June 13) The Regina Red Sox served notice that they have no intention of inhabiting the Southern League basement again this season as they dumped the Milestone Athletics 5 - 1. Right-hander George McFadyen's sterling four hit, eleven strikeout performance sparked the winners. Loser Bob Bell only surrendered five safeties but was the victim of some shoddy defensive work by his mates. Red Sox' infielder Jake McLean was the only swatter to achieve a brace of base knocks in this game.
Bell (L) and Buckmayer
McFadyen (W) and Turner
(June 14) The Notre Dame Hounds took a firm grip on third place in the Southern League, defeating the Milestone Athletics 6 - 3. Murray Huck's two run double in the 7th frame broke a 2 - 2 deadlock and sent the Hounds' Lionel L'Heureux to victory. L'Heureux allowed nine hits but was tight in the clutch. Ed Heidt started for Milestone and was tagged with the loss. Outfielder Ed Magis was the game's top hitter with a 3 for 5 afternoon. Johnny Coleshaw, Hank Mitchell and Murray Hysop all had a pair of base raps for the Athletics.
L'Heureux (W) and Germann
Heidt (L), Mitchell (8) and McNabb
(June 15) Behind the standout hurling of Lloyd Woolley, the Regina Royal Caps erupted for four runs in the 3rd inning and coasted to an easy 9 - 2 victory over the Regina Red Sox. The Crimson Hose scored both of their runs in the 1st but, after the Royal Caps' Vic Wall blasted a bases-loaded triple off loser Lawrence Janis in the 3rd to put the Capitals into the lead, the Sox were never a threat. Lou Lysack led all Royal Cap hitters with two singles and a triple in five trips. Doug Hingley and Bill Kyle each contributed two hits. Sam Goodhue collected a pair of the loser's blows.
L. Woolley (W) and Lysack
Janis (L), McFadyen (3), Booth (5) and Turner
Standings as of the end of June 15
Regina Royal Caps 6 - 1 .857
Weyburn Beavers 4 - 2 .667
Notre Dame Hounds 2 - 2 .500
Avonlea Arrows 1 - 2 .333
Regina Red Sox 2 - 5 .286
Milestone Athletics 0 - 3 .000
(June 17) The Weyburn Beavers, behind Ralph Hogg's pitching, edged the Regina Red Sox 4 - 2. Hogg bested the Red Sox' Tommy Leverick in a game where both teams managed six hits each. The Redlegs started out fast and were up 2 - 0 after the 1st but Weyburn evened the count with two in the 6th and scored another pair in the 8th to take the lead. Only two batters, George McFadyen of the Sox and the Beavers' Doug Shupe delivered two hits.
Hogg (W) and Covert
Leverick (L) and Turner
(June 18) The Avonlea Arrows took advantage of shoddy Royal Caps' fielding to hand the Reginans a 5 - 2 defeat. It was only the second win of the season for Avonlea and, ironically, both have been over last season's champions which, on the same token, have been their only two losses. Veteran lefthander Gordon Campbell started for the Arrows and gained the victory over the Royal Caps' Lefty Harrison, just back from a successful sojourn with the semi-pro Regina Caps. Walter Buttgereit made his first Southern League appearance in three seasons, suiting up for Avonlea. The longest blow of the game was a triple by Regina's Jackie Fulton.
Gordon Campbell, (W), Buttgereit (6) and Sorenson
Harrison (L), L. Woolley (8) and Lysack
(June 23) On the strength of three unearned first inning runs, the Notre Dame Hounds dumped the Weyburn Beavers 3 - 0. Lionel "Hap" L'Heureux took care of the mound chores for the Hounds, shutting down the Beavers on seven hits. Ralph Hogg went the distance for Weyburn in taking the loss. With two hits were the Dogs' Dean Bell (single and triple), John Faford (single and double), Frank Germann and Ed Magis as well as Jim Burge of the Beavers.
L'Heureux (W) and Padewski
Hogg (L) and Covert
(June 27) The Regina Red Sox gained a 6 - 5 victory against the winless Milestone Athletics in a Southern League game. The A's outhit the Sox 10 - 5 but damaged their chances severely, committing seven errors behind loser Ed Heidt. Right-hander Lawrence Janis was credited with the win, his first of the season. Sam Goodhue sparked the winners at the dish with a double and single. For the Athletics, John Coleshaw banged out a trio of knocks while Lorne Shaw came through with a pair.
Heidt (L) and Buckmayer
Janis (W), McFadyen (7) and Turner
(June 28) The third place Notre Dame Hounds swept a doubleheader from the Regina Red Sox by scores of 3 - 2 and 5 - 1. In game one, a costly Red Sox' error in the 9th enabled the Hounds to score the winning tally. Dale Steele picked up the pitching win while Don Mitchelmore was saddled with the loss.
Mitchelmore (L) and Turner
Steele (W) and xxxx
Hap L'Heureux won his third in four tries as the Collegians triumphed in the nightcap. George McFadyen took the loss, his second of the campaign.
McFadyen (L) and Turner
L'Heureux (W) and xxxx
(June 29) The Weyburn Beavers moved to within a half a game of the pace-setting Regina Royal Caps by virtue of a 6 - 3 triumph over the Notre Dame Hounds. Bud Gemmell made his first pitching appearance in a Weyburn uniform a winning one as he held the Hounds to four hits in the eight innings that he worked. The Beavers' Keith Covert was the game's hitting star with four hits in five at bats off loser Tim Daley. Jack Shupe and Les Wilder each stroked two safeties for the winners. Weyburn's Jim Burge had a 7th inning bases-empty home run. Eddie Magis and John Padewski were the chief offensive threats for Notre Dame each with two hits.
Gemmell (W), G. Shupe (9) and Covert
Daley (L) and Padewski
(June 29) The Milestone Athletics finally cracked the win column as they edged the Avonlea Arrows 5 - 4 for their first Southern League victory in five attempts. Hank Mitchell with a complete game six-hitter picked up the pitching win. An 8th inning unearned run gave Milestone the triumph and sent Arrows' reliever Gordon Campbell down to defeat.
Mitchell (W) and Buckmayer
Garnet Campbell, Gordon Campbell (L) (7) and Evans
(July 1) The Notre Dame Hounds jumped into a second place tie with the Weyburn Beavers when they took a 6 - 3 decision from the Avonlea Arrows in Southern League action. Notre Dame starter Dale Steele lasted until the 5th when he was replaced by Lionel L'Heureux who went to work and stopped the Arrows for the win. Gordon Campbell went the distance for Avonlea and suffered the defeat. Murray Huck was the leading Notre Dame hitter with two singles in four trips. For the Arrows, the Campbell brothers, Garnet and Gord, shared the batting spotlight with two safeties in five attempts.
Steele, L'Heureux (W) (5) and Padewski
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smukowich
(July 2) Outfielder John Coleshaw of the lowly Milestone Athletics was announced as the Southern League's leading batsman at the half-way point of the schedule.
Top Ten Hitters
John Coleshaw (Milestone Athletics) 11 - 25 .444
Jack Helfrick (Weyburn Beavers) 11 - 30 .367
Garnet Campbell (Avonlea Arrows) 8 - 22 .363
Jim Burge (Weyburn Beavers) 13 - 36 .361
Lloyd Woolley (Regina Royal Caps) 7 - 20 .350
John Padewski (Notre Dame Hounds) 10 - 32 .312
Bob Turner (Regina Red Sox) 15 - 48 .312
Doug Hingley (Regina Royal Caps) 9 - 29 .310
Jackie Fulton (Regina Royal Caps) 10 - 33 .303
Jack Shupe (Weyburn Beavers) 9 - 30 .300
Leading Pitchers
Lionel L'Heureux (Notre Dame Hounds) 4 - 1
Lloyd Woolley (Regina Royal Caps) 2 - 0
Cliff Harrison (Regina Royal Caps) 2 - 1
Vic Wall (Regina Royal Caps) 2 - 1
Gayle Shupe (Weyburn Beavers) 2 - 1
Ralph Hogg (Weyburn Beavers) 3 - 2
Wes Richardson (Regina Red Sox) 1 - 0
Bud Gemmell (Weyburn Beavers) 1 - 0
Dale Steele (Notre Dame Hounds) 1 - 0
(July 3) The high-stepping Weyburn Beavers, making a spirited bid for Southern League supremacy, blanked the Milestone Athletics 4 - 0 behind Gayle Shupe's four hit hurling. The veteran right-hander struck out thirteen Athletics and had the issue well under control from the outset. The Beavers collected eight safeties off loser Grad. Les Wilder paced the winners stroking out a pair in four trips.
Grad (L) and Buckmayer
G. Shupe (W) and Covert
(July 5) The onrushing Weyburn Beavers moved to within a few percentage points of the league-leading Regina Royal Caps by pounding out a 16 - 2 decision over the hapless Milestone Athletics. Bud Gemmell allowed five hits and 1 run in his six innings of work to pick up his second win. Fritz Hoeft started on the hill for Milestone and was charged with the loss. Jim Burge and Doug Shupe paced the Beavers at the dish, each collecting three hits. The Athletics John Coleshaw, the Southern League's top hitter, also had a trio of safeties.
Gemmell (W), Covert (7) and Covert, Burge (7)
Hoeft (L), Snell (6) and Buckmayer
(July 6) The Regina Royal Caps took advantage of seven Red Sox errors and walked away with an 11 - 6 decision in the latest segment of the battle of Regina. Cliff Harrison, in relief of Vic Wall, got his third victory at the expense of the Sox' Wes Richardson who went down to his first defeat. Jackie Fulton, Lloyd Woolley and Bunny Smith each pounded out two hits to pace the Royal Caps at the plate. Ken McEachern, Jake McLean, Art Belick and newcomer Ernie Franks each had a pair for the Redlegs.
Wall, Harrison (W) (3) and D. Woolley
Richardson (L), Goff (8), Mitchelmore (8) and Turner
(July 7) Snuffing out a Regina Royal Caps' rally in the 9th inning by calling in Gayle Shupe to strike out two batters, the Weyburn Beavers climbed into top spot in the Southern League standings by virtue of a 10 - 6 verdict over the former leaders. The Beavers, behind winner Ralph Hogg, had the game well in control but the Reginans threatened mildly in the 9th when Shupe was summoned from the bullpen. Lefthander Vic Wall went the distance for the Royal Caps, striking out eight and issuing seven hits. The game's most productive swingers were Don Woolley of the Royal Caps who went 2 for 4 and Weyburn's John Helfrick who swung the bat at a 2 for 5 clip.
Wall (L) and Clark
Hogg (W), G. Shupe (9) and Covert
(July 8) A steady seven hit mound chore by Ron "Moose" Larter carried the Regina Royal Caps to an easy 7 - 1 decision over the Milestone Athletics, shoving the A's deeper into the Southern League cellar. Larter made his first mound appearance of the season a winning one. Milestone's Hank Mitchell was nicked for ten Regina hits and took the loss. The top Royal Caps' hitter was Vic Wall who had three singles. Doug Hingley chipped in with a pair, one being a triple. For the Athletics, Mitchell and first sacker Bill Hayes both had a deuce.
Mitchell (L) and Buckmayer
Larter (W) and Clark
(July 8) The Weyburn Beavers picked up a 5 - 4 victory over the Avonlea Arrows. Gayle Shupe tossed a three-hitter, surrendering a brace to Johnny Erdelyan, in taking the win and besting the Arrows' Gordon Campbell. Shupe and Jim Burge each had a pair of Beaver' raps.
G. Shupe (W) and Covert
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smukowich
(July 10) The hometown Weyburn Beavers suffered a 9 - 6 setback at the hands of the Avonlea Arrows, a loss which dropped them into second place, a few percentage points behind the Regina Royal Caps.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(July 11) The revamped Regina Red Sox came up with an all-around solid display to best the Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 3. Don Mitchelmore scattered six hits and whiffed seven in picking up the win for the Sox. Dale Steele, the Hounds' stylish right-hander, allowed ten hits and dropped his first game of the season. Redlegs' catcher Bob Turner paced the winner's clubbing with two hits including a two run homer in the 5th. Ken McEachern also contributed two hits while rookie Denny Cochrane had a two run triple. For the Dogs, Frank Germann and Johnny Padewski each connected for a brace of raps.
Steele (L) and Padewski
Mitchelmore (W) and Turner
(July 12) The Notre Dame Hounds and Milestone Athletics split a Southern League twin bill, the opener being an error-filled slugfest, which the Hounds took 17 - 10, and the nightcap a splendid pitching joust wherein the Athletics prevailed 1 - 0. In the matinee, Notre Dame scored eleven runs in the 8th inning when the roof caved in on Milestone. Frank Germann, who relieved starter Lionel L'Heureux, got the win over the A's Ed Heidt
L'Heureux, Germann (W) (5) and Padewski
Heidt, Mitchell (8), Heidt (L) (8) and Buckmayer
Hank Mitchell's brilliant two hit, eight strikeout pitching effort sparked the Athletics in the second encounter. The A's squeezed home the game's only run in the 2nd inning and made it stand up for the victory. Mitchell led off the second frame with a triple and scored on Ed Heidt's perfectly executed squeeze bunt off loser Lionel L'Heureux.
Mitchell (W) and Buckmayer
L'Heureux (L) and Padewski
(July 13) First baseman Doug Hingley's crisp single to right field which scored Jackie Fulton in the top of the 10th provided the Regina Royal Caps the winning margin as they edged the Avonlea Arrows in a Southern League thriller. In a battle of southpaws, Regina's Lloyd Woolley bested the Arrows' Hugo Dombowsky, long-time Notre Dame Hounds' chucker who this season donned the Avonlea uniform. The winning run was unearned as Fulton had reached base on an error. Hingley was the Royal Caps' top stickman with a double and single. For the Arrows, Archie Sanderson had three hits, including a double, while Gord Campbell clubbed two safeties.
L. Woolley (W) and Lysack
Dombowsky (L) and Smukowich
(July 14) Lionel "Hap" L'Heureux retired the first eleven batters he faced and went on to pitch a masterful 1 hit shutout as the Hounds of Notre Dame blanked the Regina Royal Caps 4 - 0. The loss tumbled the Royal Caps into second place behind the Weyburn Beavers in the Southern League. The lone hit off L'Heureux came in the 4th, a two-out triple by Bill Kyle. L'Heureux struck out seven and walked only one in his superlative effort. Ron Larter was the complete game loser for the Royal Caps. First baseman Bobby Donald was the top Notre Dame swatter with three hits including two doubles. Murray Huck and Frank Germann each had a brace of raps for the Hounds.
L'Heureux (W) and Padewski
Larter (L) and Lysack
(July 18) The Notre Dame Hounds dropped a 13 - 5 verdict to the Avonlea Arrows as third baseman Archie Sanderson of the Arrows clubbed a home run and double. Despite the loss, the Hounds still remain in third place in the Southern League. The Arrows pounded two Notre Dame chuckers for 16 hits to make things easy for winning pitcher Gord Campbell. Frank Germann started on the mound for the Dogs and was the loser. Other Avonlea hitters of note were Lloyd Lee and Jim Kirkpatrick with a brace.
Germann (L), Sterzer (5) and Padewski
Gordon Campbell (W) and Kirkpatrick, Smukowich (3)
(July 19) The Regina Red Sox swept a weekend doubleheader from the Milestone Athletics by scores of 9 - 0 and 7 - 1 to jump into a virtual tie for fourth place in the Southern League with the Avonlea Arrows. The initial game saw Tommy Leverick of the Sox space five hits in getting the shutout, striking out eight. Johnny Coleshaw, the league's top hitter, gave Leverick the most trouble, slashing out a double and single. Hank Mitchell allowed twelve hits and six walks in taking the loss. Bill Stimpson, Bob Turner, Denny Cochrane and Sam Goodhue each had two hits for the Sox.
Leverick (W) and Turner
Mitchell (L) and Buckmayer
Wes Richardson struck out eleven and allowed only four hits, two by Athletics' catcher Tony Buckmayer, in winning the nightcap. Ken McEachern led a twelve hit Red Sox' assault against loser Ed Heidt with three singles.
Richardson (W) and Turner
Heidt (L) and Buckmayer
(July 19) Lionel L'Heureux ran his shutout string to 18 straight innings, all against the Regina Royal Caps, in pitching a two hit, 4 - 0 shutout at the Reginans in the first game of a twin bill. The Royal Caps gained a split by taking the second game 2 - 0. L'Heureux's record improved to 7 - 1 as he handcuffed the Queen City Capitals for the second game in a row. Cliff "Lefty" Harrison was the loser in this contest.
Harrison (L) and Lysack
L'Heureux (W) and Padewski
Vic "Lefty" Wall spaced four hits as the Royal Caps won the evening tilt over young Dale Steele who also allowed only four hits, including a triple to Wall which knocked in the winning run in the 2nd inning.
Wall (W) and Lysack
Steele (L) and Padewski
(July 20) The Avonlea Arrows and Regina Red Sox remained in a deadlock for fourth place in the Southern League after failing to come to a decision in ten innings of action. The score was 5 - 5 when the game was called because of darkness. Lefty Hugo Dombowsky went the distance for Avonlea, giving up eight hits and striking out ten. Don Mitchelmore started for the Sox, surrendering all five Avonlea runs in his six inning stint on the hill. George McFadyen turned in a fine relief role in the four innings he worked, allowing but one hit. The Red Sox scored three in the 7th to tie the game, the last two coming on Sam Goodhue's double. Garnet Campbell led the Arrows with three hits while brother Gord kicked in with a triple. For the Crimson Hose, Bob Turner and Ed Prosofsky each had a brace of knocks.
Dombowsky and Sorenson
Mitchelmore, McFadyen (7) and Turner
(July 20) Indian Head Rockets downed Swift Current 9-1 in an exhibition match. Will Conner and Sammy White combined to hold Swift Current to four hits. Juan Prats belted a homer for the Rockets in the 5th, one of 11 safeties for the winners.
Martingale (L) and xxx
Conner (W), White (8) and xxx
(July 23) The red-hot Regina Red Sox cooled off Notre Dame's "Hap" L'Heureux and his mates, grabbing an 8 - 5 decision from the Hounds. The encounter saw one streak remain intact and another broken. L'Heureux had 20 scoreless innings behind him when the Red Sox scored in the 3rd inning and then made him "not-so-Happy" by kayoing him in the fourth after storming out to a 7 - 0 lead. The Regina team, meanwhile, has now gone five games without a defeat. In spite of the nine walks that he issued, big Wes Richardson went the distance to grab his third victory. Outfielder Ed Magis and first baseman Bob Donald each collected two of the seven hits off Richardson, both of Donald's being doubles. Orville Off, the Sox' light-hitting second sacker, had his biggest night of the season at the dish with a bases clearing double and an RBI single. Ed Prosofsky and Jake McLean also had two hits for the Redlegs.
L'Heureux (L), Steele (4) and Padewski
Richardson (W) and Turner
(July 24) Led by the big bats of Larry Smukowich and Gordon Campbell, the Avonlea Arrows trounced the Milestone Athletics 8 - 3. The win left Avonlea in fourth place, a scant .029 percentage points behind the Notre Dame Hounds. Smukowich and Campbell drove in five runs between them and collected four of the nine hits off loser Hank Mitchell of the A's. Hugo Dombowsky gave up four hits in registering the win. Garnet Campbell and Don Forer also had two hits for the winners. The only extra base hit of the game was a double by Mitchell.
Mitchell (L) and Shaw
Dombowsky (W) and Smukowich
(July 24) In exhibition action at Regina, Indian Head Rockets swamped the Regina Royal Caps of the Southern League 14-4. Jose Hernandez powered the winners both on the hill, with an eight-hitter, and at the plate with three hits. Roberto Barbon also had three safeties and shortstop Orlando O'Farrill had the only homer.
Hernandez (W) and Yzquierdo
Woolley (L), Larter (8) and Lysack, Clark (7)
(July 26) The Avonlea Arrows saw an early 1 - 0 lead wilt when the Regina Red Sox scored four times in the 6th to take a smoothly played contest 4 - 1. Red Sox' Tom Leverick pitched a complete game three-hitter for the win. Hugo Dombowsky was the loser. Jake McLean, Ed Prosofsky and Denny Cochrane all collected doubles for the Sox.
Leverick (W) and Turner
Dombowsky (L), Gordon Campbell (6) and Sorenson
(July 26) The league-leading Weyburn Beavers jumped a full game ahead of the Regina Royal Caps by trouncing the Notre Dame Hounds 10 - 5. Gayle Shupe went the distance for the Beavers, striking out eleven and scattering eight hits. Starter Hank Dornstauder was the loser as Weyburn banged out 16 hits against three Hounds' chuckers. Despite the loss, Notre Dame remains in third place, a half game ahead of the Regina Red Sox and Avonlea Arrows.
G. Shupe (W) and Covert
Dornstauder (L), L'Heureux (4), Sterzer and Padewski
(July 28) The Regina Red Sox recorded their seventh straight Southern League victory as they squeezed by the Avonlea Arrows 3 - 2. The victory moved the Sox into a tie for third place with the Notre Dame Hounds. The Arrows out hit the Red Sox 8 - 5 but committed costly errors in allowing the Redlegs to score a pair of unearned runs off loser Gordon Campbell. Tommy Leverick struck out seven to record the win. Only two players, Garnet Campbell and Archie Sanderson of the Arrows, had two hits in this game.
Gordon Campbell (L) and Sorenson
Leverick (W) and Turner
(July 31) Ed Prosofsky's two-run homer in the 7th and final inning lifted the high-flying Regina Red Sox to a close 8 - 6 win over the top-rung Weyburn Beavers. Regina got to starter Ralph Hogg early and often and drove him to the showers in the 3rd. The Beavers tied the game in the 6th and set the stage for Prosofsky's heroics off loser Gayle Shupe. Don Mitchelmore came out of the bullpen to get credit for the Red Sox' win in this darkness-shortened affair.
Richardson, Mitchelmore (W) (6) and Turner
Hogg, G. Shupe (L) (3) and Sathers
(August 2) The Regina Royal Caps moved a half-game ahead of the Weyburn Beavers in the Southern League when they defeated the Milestone Athletics in both ends of a twin-bill by scores of 12 - 7 and 15 - 2. In the opener, The Royal Caps plated nine runs in the 1st inning and coasted from there. Portsider Cliff Harrison, who shared mound duties with Lloyd Woolley, was credited with the win. High schooler Ken Kober gave up twelve hits in his first Southern League test and was tagged with the loss. Bill Kyle banged out three safeties for the winners while catcher Lou Lysack and second sacker Claire Rothermal each had two. Hank Mitchell with a single and triple and Kober with a pair of singles paced the Athletics.
Harrison (W), Woolley (5) and Lysack
Kober (L) and Klinck
Right-hander Ron Larter got credit for his 3rd straight victory in the nightcap, called after seven innings. Lawrence Dieter, making his first league start, was the loser. Vic Wall with a double and two singles in four trips was the leading sticker for the Royal Caps while Lou Lysack and Cliff Harrison each had two safeties.
Larter (W) and Lysack
Dieter (L), Mitchell (7) and Klinck
(August 2) The Notre Dame Hounds split a double dip with the Avonlea Arrows, losing the first game 7 - 1 and winning the second by a 7 - 2 count. Gord Campbell was credited with the first game triumph, out-dueling the Hounds' ace Lionel L'Heureux. It was L'Heureux's third loss and second in succession. He has won seven. Lloyd Lee paced the Arrows with three hits in four official at-bats. Lee and Archie Sanderson each clouted triples off L'Heureux. Johnny Erdelyan and Don Forer both had a brace.
Gordon Campbell (W) and Smukowich
L'Heureux (L) and Padewski
Dale Steele, stylish young right-hander, gained Notre Dame its split, scattering six hits. The game's biggest blow was Frank Germann's three run double off loser Garnet Campbell.
Garnet Campbell (L) and Smukowich
Steele (W) and Padewski
Standings as of the end of August 2
Regina Royal Caps 12 - 5 .706
Weyburn Beavers 11 - 5 .688
Regina Red Sox 10 - 9 .526
Notre Dame Hounds 10 - 10 .500
Avonlea Arrows 6 - 9 .400
Milestone Athletics 2 - 14 .125
(August 3) The fifth place Avonlea Arrows took their third decision in four tries against the Regina Royal Caps, slipping by the Reginans 1 - 0 behind the brilliant shutout hurling of southpaw Hugo Dombowsky. Both Dombowsky and Royal Caps' chucker Vic "Lefty" Wall hurled two-hitters and only an unearned run in the 3rd inning kept Wall and the Royal Caps from matching the performance of Dombowsky. Of the two hits gained by each team, Cliff Sorenson's triple for Avonlea and a double by Regina's Cliff Harrison led the way.
Dombowsky (W) and Sorenson
Wall (L) and Clark, Lysack (9)
(August 4) The Regina Royal Caps are back in top spot in the Southern League after hanging an 8 - 3 defeat on the Weyburn Beavers. The Soo Liners out-hit the Royal Caps 12 - 8 but couldn't seem to get the important hit and stranded an even dozen runners on the paths. Jack Shupe and John Helfrick each pasted three hits off Royal Caps' winner Lloyd Woolley. Frank Mayor had a triple and double for the Beavers. For the Reginans, third baseman Bill Kyle was the only batter to knock out a pair of raps off loser Ralph Hogg.
Hogg (L) and Covert
L. Woolley (W) and Lysack
(August 5) The Regina Red Sox and Avonlea Arrows were on even terms for three innings but then the Crimson Hose got hot and pulled away with a three run outburst to gain a 6 - 3 victory. The triumph for the Redlegs kept their win streak intact and virtually assured them of a playoff spot. Winning hurler Tom Leverick out-dueled the Arrows' Gordon Campbell whose defensive support was often less than stellar. Archie Sanderson had two hits for the Arrows, including a double. Avonlea's Hugo Dombowsky also had two hits as did Jake McLean of the Sox.
Gordon Campbell (L) and Smith
Leverick (W) and Turner
(August 6) The Avonlea Arrows pushed across a run in the 9th inning to edge the last-place Milestone Athletics 4 - 3 in a Southern League encounter. Lloyd Lee's single drove in Larry Smukowich with the winning tally. The Arrows' Hugo Dombowsky hurled a nifty five-hitter at Milestone, striking out ten along the way. Hank Mitchell tossed an eight-hitter in taking the loss. The Lee brothers, Everett and Lloyd, had a pair of hits each for Avonlea. For Milestone, Ashley Pow and Lee Hysop both came through with two hits.
Dombowsky (W) and Smukowich
Mitchell (L) and Ebel
(August 7) The Weyburn Beavers climbed back into a first place tie in the Southern League by squeaking out a narrow 3 - 2 win over the cellar-dwelling Milestone Athletics. Keith Covert tossed four hit ball to pick up the win for the Soo-Liners. Eric Snell, the only player in either line-up to produce two hits, was tagged with the loss. The Athletics' Morley Hysop had the only extra-base hit of the contest, a triple.
Snell (L) and Buckmayer
Covert (W) and Mayor
(August 8) Lorne Shaw bashed a grand slam and added two singles for a five RBI day as Milestone Athletics upset Regina Royal Caps 7-2. Bob Bell fired a four-hitter for the win. Lefty Harrison took the loss, in spite of eleven strikeouts. Bunny Smith was the leading batter for the Royal Caps with a double and single. Darkness shortened this game to eight innings.
Bell (W) and McNabb
Harrison (L) and Lysack
(August 8) At Avonlea, Gord Campbell held Weyburn to three hits in an 11-1 win over the Beavers. Garnet Campbell had three hits to lead the Arrows while Jim Kirkpatrick chipped in with a pair in this seven inning affair. The Arrows took advantage of nine Weyburn miscues to rack up the lop-sided victory.
G Shupe (L) and Covert
Gord Campbell (W) and Sorenson
(August 10) With both front-running clubs losing their final league game, a dead-heat for the top rung remained and a coin toss gave the Weyburn Beavers home field for tomorrow night's first place showdown match. The winner will face the Notre Dame Hounds in one semi-final while the loser will be paired against the third place Regina Red Sox. The Avonlea Arrows declined a sudden-death tilt with the Notre Dame Hounds for fourth place and opted instead to bow out with harvesting operations at hand.
(August 11) Catcher Lou Lysack singled in Doug Hingley in the 9th inning with the only run of the game as Regina Royal Caps downed Weyburn 1-0 in a sudden-death playoff to determine the league's first place finisher. Lloyd "Lefty" Woolley held the Beavers to five hits to rack up the shutout. Ralph Hogg took the hard-luck loss in pitching a five-hitter with ten strikeouts. Woolley, as well as Frank Mayor and Russ Casemore of the Beavers, all had two hits with one of Mayor's being a double and one of Casemore's a triple.
Lloyd Woolley (W) and Lysack
Hogg (L) and Mayor
PLAYOFFS :
(August 14) The Regina Royal Caps opened their semi-final series against the Notre Dame Hounds by scoring a paper-thin 3 - 2 win over the Dogs and their nemesis, Lionel "Happy" L'Heureux. Lloyd Woolley's one-out 9th inning single plated the winning run for the Reginans and hung the defeat on L'Heureux, effectively getting the monkey off their back in the process as the diminutive right-hander had previously shut them out in consecutive games. The pitching triumph went to southpaw Cliff Harrison on the strength of a steady four-hitter. Woolley and Bill Kyle both had two hits off L'Heureux's offerings to lead the Royal Caps' offensive production.
L'Heureux (L) and Padewski
Harrison (W) and Lysack
(August 14) The Regina Red Sox came from behind a 3 - 0 first inning deficit to edge the Weyburn Beavers 5 - 3 in the first game of a Southern League semi-final series. Red Sox hurler, Wes Richardson, settled down after the 1st inning and gave up only three hits over the remainder of the route to record the win. In total, he fanned ten Beavers. With the score tied 3 - 3 in the 6th, the Red Sox broke through for two unearned runs off loser Gayle Shupe. Ed Prosofsky had three hits to lead the Crimson Hose while teammate Jake Mclean and Weyburn's Jim Burge each had two.
Richardson (W) and Turner
G. Shupe (L), Covert (6) and Mayor
(August 16) The Notre Dame Hounds were awarded game two of the Southern League semi-final by default when the Regina Royal Caps were only able to field eight players. The teams are now deadlocked at one game each with the deciding game set for tomorrow evening.
(August 17) Lionel "Hap" L'Heureux throttled the defending champion Regina Royal Caps 3 - 2 to push the Hounds of Notre Dame into the Southern League finals. L'Heureux out-dueled portsider Lloyd Woolley in a match wherein both chuckers gave up but four safe blows. The difference lay in the defense as the usually sharp-fielding Royal Caps were guilty of five booted balls, resulting in a pair of unearned runs. The Hounds' third sacker Dean Bell was the only player in the game to collect two hits. Regina's Don Woolley had a double, the only extra base hit of the game.
L'Heureux (W) and Padewski
L. Woolley (L) and Lysack
(August 17) The young and hustling Regina Red Sox stepped into the southern League finals by dumping the highly-favored Weyburn Beavers 4 - 2 to take their best of three semi-final in straight games. The Red Sox' torrid winning streak continued as they have not tasted defeat since July 16, over a month ago. Both pitchers, winner Tommy Leverick and loser Ralph Hogg each gave up only four hits. Weyburn's final showing of the season was a miserable one as they committed ten errors in this loosely played contest where neither team manufactured an earned run. The Redlegs now meet the Notre Dame Hounds in a best 3-out-of-5 league final.
Leverick (W) and Turner
Hogg (L) and Mayor, Covert (3)
(August 19) The Southern League today announced that Jim Burge of the Weyburn Beavers was the leading hitter during the 1953 season with a thumping .437 average. Runner-up was his teammate Jack Shupe at .377 followed by Hank Mitchell of the Milestone Athletics with .345. Seven other batters hit .300 or better during the regular season.
Top 10 batters
Jim Burge (Weyburn Beavers) 31 - 71 .437
Jack Shupe (Weyburn Beavers) 26 - 69 .377
Hank Mitchell (Milestone Athletics) 20 - 58 .345
Johnny Helfrick (Weyburn Beavers) 20 - 59 .339
Bob Turner (Regina Red Sox) 30 - 93 .323
Garnet Campbell (Avonlea Arrows) 22 - 69 .319
Frank Germann (Notre Dame Hounds) 21 - 67 .313
John Coleshaw (Milestone Athletics) 19 - 62 .306
Keith Covert (Weyburn Beavers) 22 - 72 .306
Gordon Campbell (Avonlea Arrows) 26 - 85 .306
(August 20) Pitcher "Hap" L'Heureux and the Notre Dame Hounds finally broke the Regina Red Sox' bubble. With L'Heureux doing the honors, the Hounds stopped the Sox winning streak at eleven games by taking a 4 - 0 opening game win in the best of five final. "Happy" was at his best, scattering four singles for his second straight playoff triumph. The Collegians held only a 1 - 0 lead until the 9th when they iced the contest scoring three more times off reliever Wes Richardson. Redlegs' starter Don Mitchelmore was the loser. Both clubs had only four hits and Regina's Sam Goodhue was the only batter to come up with a pair.
L'Heureux (W) and Padewski
Mitchelmore (L), Richardson (2) and Turner
(August 22) Jack McLean, the Regina Red Sox third baseman, clubbed a long triple with two out in the bottom of the 9th to score Bob Turner with the winning run that gave the Crimson Hose a spine-tingling 3 - 2 victory over the Notre Dame Hounds to square their Southern League final series at one game each. Frank Germann, in relief of starter Dale Steele, was the victim of the 9th inning uprising and took the loss. Tommy Leverick mastered the Dogs, striking out eleven and giving up but four hits in picking up the win. Murray Huck of the Hounds was the only batter on either team to knock out two hits.
Steele, Germann (L) (6) and Padewski
Leverick (W) and Turner
(August 23) In an encore performance, Jake McLean donned the mantle of hero once more and came through in style. The chunky infielder's hefty double with the bases loaded in the 9th scored the winning runs as the Regina Red Sox climaxed an uphill struggle to win game three of the Southern League final series 6 - 4 over the Notre Dame Hounds. The triumph gave the Sox a 2 - 1 lead in the series. Don Mitchelmore, out of the bullpen to replace starter Wes Richardson in the 7th, got credit for the win although he, as well, needed relief assistance. McLean's big double was one of two hits he had for the Red Sox. Ed Prosofsky led the Reginans' twelve hit barrage off loser Lionel L'Heureux with three blows. Art Belick of the Sox also had a pair as did the Hounds' Bobby Donald.
Richardson, Mitchelmore (W) (7), Leverick (9) and Turner
L'Heureux (L) and Padewski
(August 25) The Regina Red Sox, the rags-to-riches team of the Southern League, climaxed a brilliant season by shading the spirited Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 2 to grab the league championship in four games. Mired deep in 5th place in July, the Crimson Hose commenced a winning streak that brought them to a third place finish. Not satisfied with that, they carried this momentum into and throughout the playoffs. Big Wes Richardson turned in the pitching victory, spacing five singles. His performance was especially magnanimous when, in the 8th and protecting a 3 - 2 lead, he got out of a bases-loaded, no-one out situation by fanning two Hounds and getting the next batter to loft an easy can-of-corn to center field for the third out. Jake McLean, the hero of the two previous Red Sox' victories, came through again in the 9th to drive in an insurance run with another two-out hit off Lionel L'Heureux who came out of the bullpen in the 6th to relieve starter and loser Dale Steele. The new champions were led at the dish by three players who each blasted out two hits. Catcher Bob Turner's brace were both doubles, Ed Prosofsky's duo included a triple while Ken McEachern's pair were both singles.
Richardson (W) and Turner
Steele (L), L'Heureux (6) and Padewski