SOUTHERN LEAGUE
After a highly successful 1954 season, all eight entrants returned for another campaign, the only difference being that the franchise from the coal valley in southeastern Saskatchewan dropped the twin-town designation and became officially known as the Estevan Coalers. The Avonlea Arrows, featuring skip Garnet of the curling Campbells, winners of this March's MacDonald's Brier tankard, will again play only 14 games which will be half of what all the other member teams are scheduled to play.
(May 18) Left fielder Alex Korpan cracked out a towering grand slam home run in the 5th inning to spark the Weyburn Beavers to a 9 - 6 victory over the Estevan Coalers in the opening game of the Southern League season. The host Coalers out-hit their Weyburn visitors 9 - 6 but failed to connect when it counted most. Orv Verpe, the victim of Korpan's blast, departed from the hill after the homer and was charged with the loss. Southpaw Dave Hoff was credited with the win although he needed relief help from Keith Covert.
Hoff (W), Covert (9) and Springer
Verpe (L), Zielinski (5) and Kreuger, Jalbert
(May 20) Lefthander Vic Wall, secured from the city rival Royal Caps during the off-season, spun a brilliant two-hitter as the Regina Red Sox opened their Southern League campaign by blanking the Weyburn Beavers 2 - 0. Wall set down 13 Weyburn batters by the strikeout route and walked only a pair but he had to be in his best form as loser Keith Covert of the Beavers only gave up five hits while fanning 12. Infielder Ken Mohr provided Wall with the offensive punch he needed for the win by pounding out a 7th inning bases-empty homer and then scoring the insurance marker on Wall's 9th inning single after he had banged out a double. Jack Shupe and Jim Burge were the only Weyburn swatters to hit safely against Wall. Jake McLean of the Sox had the game's only other extra-base hit, a double.
Wall (W) and Manz
Covert (L) and Sathers
(May 27) The Notre Dame Hounds made their initial start in this season's Southern League play a winning one when they tripped up the hometown Weyburn Beavers 9 - 5. Southpaw Hugh Carr, with relief aid from Dale Steele, gained credit for the Hounds' triumph. Lefty Dave Hoff went all the way for Weyburn in taking the defeat. Tied at 2 - 2 entering the 3rd inning, the Hounds erupted for four runs to pick up the momentum for victory. Leo Belanger had two hits for Weyburn, one being a 4th inning home run. Teammate Keith Sampson also had a brace. John Faford and Eddie Bearss had a pair of safeties each for the Dogs.
Carr (W), Steele (7) and Saucier
Hoff (L) and Sathers
(May 27) The Regina Royal Caps out-hit their city rivals, the Regina Red Sox, 11-4 but stranded 11 base runners in an abbreviated seven inning affair that saw the two Queen City squads battle to a 6 - 6 draw. The Sox scored four times in the 1st inning off Bob Brown who then left for an early shower while Cliff Harrison took over and mopped up. The Royal Caps pecked away at the lead and finally deadlocked the score in the 6th with a three-run outburst. Starter Wes Richardson and two relievers toiled for the Redlegs. Doug Hingley, Don Woolley, Ed Heidt and Lou Lysack each had two hits for the Royal Caps with Heidt's pair being a double and triple. First baseman Ed Prosofsky collected two of the Red Sox four base blows.
Brown, Harrison (1) and Lysack
Richardson, Wall (4), Mitchell (6) and Manz
(May 28) The Regina Red Sox, behind the solid bullpen effort of diminutive southpaw winner Charlie Peerless, scored five times in the last two frames to up-end the defending champion Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 2 and hand Jack Devine the setback. The Red Sox hurlers allowed only three hits between them with Moose Jaw's Ray Nutzhorn getting two. Peerless also sparked offensively with a double and triple. Outfielder Owen Gillstrom had a double and single for the Sox.
Rudichuk, Peerless (W) (4) and Manz, McNabb (3)
J. Devine (L), Bell (8) and Peterson
(May 28) The Estevan Coalers bunched five of their six hits during a four-run 4th inning rally to send John Faford and the Notre Dame Hounds down to defeat by a score of 4 - 2. Ralph Johnston, who allowed three hits in each of the 3rd and 6th innings when Notre Dame scored single runs, was the winner. Shortstop Dale Wetsch sparked the Coalers' hitters with two safeties while Jim Quinn, a former Estevan player, had a pair for the Collegians.
Faford (L) and Saucier
Johnston (W) and Jackson
(May 29) The Avonlea Arrows, making their first start of the season, took a 20 - 16 slugfest from the Notre Dame Hounds. Seven hurlers attempted to halt the hitters' field day but with little success. After the smoke had cleared, Don Forer of Avonlea was declared the winner while the loss was tagged on Phil Resch's account. Notre Dame's Ed Magis had a grand slam home run while teammate Bobby Donald hit a two-run clout. Magis, Donald, Jim Quinn of the Hounds as well as the Arrows' Garnet Campbell all collected three hits.
Gord Campbell, Forer (W) (2), Smukowich (6), Garnet Campbell (8) and Smukowich, Deitrich (6)
Resch (L), Steele (2), Carr (9) and Saucier
(May 29) The Assiniboia Aces trimmed the Regina Royal Caps in the opener of a doubleheader while the second game ended prematurely tied at 6 - 6. In the matinee, the Aces broke open a close game scoring four runs in the 3rd inning to pin the loss on Les Prosofsky. Gord Skjerven struck out nine Reginans to record the win. Garth Hayes sparked Assiniboia's attack by banging out a three-run homer.
L. Prosofsky (L), McFadyen (3), L. Prosofsky (5) and Lysack
Skjerven (W) and Giroux, Perras (4)
The follow-up contest settled nothing and ended in a draw when Assiniboia's Sunday curfew by-law halted action at the end of the 7th inning.
L. Woolley, L. Prosofsky (7) and Heinrich
Pearson, Linnell (5) and Waterton
(May 30) The Moose Jaw Lakers suffered their second consecutive loss in the new Southern League campaign as the Regina Royal Caps captured a slugging spree from them 11 - 10. This 24 hit game featured two doubles, an amazing seven triples plus a home run. George McFadyen, with relief help from Ron Larter, was credited with the victory. The Royal Caps' 12 hit barrage included two triples by Johnny Phillips and three-baggers each by Doug Hingley and Ed Heidt. Baldy Smith, Don Devine and losing pitcher Dave White had triples for Moose Jaw but the top hitter of the game was Lakers' outfielder Charlie Elsom who had a home run and three singles in five trips to the dish.
White (L), Bell (3), Nutzhorn (7) and Smith
McFadyen (W), Larter (7) and Lysack
(May 31) Regina's surprising Red Sox won their third straight Southern League game and their second over the Weyburn Beavers by dumping the host nine 7 - 4. Portsider Vic Wall went all the way and handcuffed the Beavers for his second win of the season. Wall allowed only five hits and struck out seven in the shortened seven inning contest which made a loser out of Weyburn's Keith Covert. Three 3rd inning runs staked Wall to a 6 - 0 lead and he never looked back. Hitting honors for the Red Sox were shared by Al Manz, Owen Gillstrom and Denny Cochrane, each getting a pair. For Weyburn, brothers Doug and Jack Shupe each had a brace.
Wall (W) and Manz
Covert (L) and Springer
(June 1) The Regina Royal Caps cut off threatening rallies by the Estevan Coalers in the final inning of each game to capture both ends of a Southern League doubleheader. The scores were 3 - 2 and 11 - 8 in the twilight affair at Taylor Field which has seen triples hit at record numbers this young season. Nine more three-baggers were belted in this twin bill. The three-base blows won the opener for Royal Caps' lefty Lloyd Woolley as Doug Hingley, Ed Heidt and the southpaw himself all tripled and scored the needed runs to edge the Coalers and smack Orval Verpe with the loss. Nasie Schnell had a triple for Estevan.
Verpe (L) and Kreuger
L. Woolley (W), Larter (9) and Lysack
In the nightcap, Regina built up a 9 - 0 lead after three innings but almost blew the game as Estevan rallied for three runs in each of the 8th and 9th innings. Bob Brown, with bullpen help from Lefty Harrison, was the winning pitcher. Bill Zielinski, who was replaced too late by Gary McKechney, was the loser. Rollie Jalbert sparked the Coalers' hitters with a single, double and triple in five trips. Third baseman Buddy Rogers clouted a pair of triples for the Royal Caps while Johnny Phillips with a triple and single drove in three runs.
Zielinski (L), G. McKechney (6) and Kreuger
Brown (W), Harrison (9) and Heinrich
(June 1) The Moose Jaw Lakers finally broke into the win column behind Jack Devine's shutout pitching to down the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 0. Devine disposed of seven Weyburn batters by the strikeout route while surrendering six hits. Losing pitcher Dave Hoff went all the way, allowing eight hits and fanning five. Big guns for the Lakers were Baldy Smith, Herb Lovett and Mel Hennenfent, all of whom collected a triple and single. Jack Shupe singled twice for the Beavers.
Hoff (L) and Sathers
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
(June 4) The Avonlea Arrows, last season's doormats, chalked up their second straight victory with a narrow 6 - 5 triumph over the Assiniboia Aces. Right-hander Bill Martin, a newcomer to the ranks of the Arrows, picked up the complete game win. Paul Pearson was the loser as Avonlea bunched all their runs in the 1st and 4th frames. Martin and Gord Campbell each had two hits to spark the Arrows while Gord Skjerven with three and Lorne Shanks with a pair were the top hitters for Assiniboia.
Pearson (L) and Waterton, Shanks (6)
Martin (W) and Smukowich
(June 4) Reliever Phil Resch picked up the win as the Notre Dame Hounds edged the Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 4 in a game featuring a triple play. The Hounds struck for five runs against loser Wally Blaisdell in the 7th to put the game away. The triple kill unfolded as Notre Dame had runners on first and third when Lakers' third sacker Herb Lovett made a great catch of Jim Quinn's line drive, tagging third to trap Ed Magis and then throwing to first base to pick off Tim Daley.
Carr, Resch (W) (3) and Saucier
Blaisdell (L) and Peterson
(June 5) The Assiniboia Aces came up with a pair of 8th inning runs to trip the Moose Jaw Lakers 7 - 6. A pair of errors and singles by Jim White, George Ciocia and Gord Skjerven gave Skjerven, who came on in relief and retired six of the seven batters to face him in quick order, the decision. Jack Devine, who replaced Bob Bell in the 1st, was charged with his second loss of the year. Ciocia sparked the Aces' 14-hit attack with three safeties while catcher Reg Waterton, Rube Erfle and Skjerven each had two. Ray Nutzhorn, Baldy Smith and Murray Smail had a pair of blows apiece for Moose Jaw.
Bell, J. Devine (L) (1) and Peterson
Linnell, Skjerven (W) (8) and Waterton
(June 5) The Notre Dame Hounds dumped the Estevan Coalers 10 - 9 in a ten inning joust that featured 27 hits, 15 by the winning Hounds. The Dogs scored the winning tally in the extra frame, handing the win to reliever Phil Resch, when Johnny Faford singled to bring home Eddie Bearss who had previously reached base on a one-base rap. Gary McKechney went all the way for the Coalers and was charged with the loss. All three extra base hits in this game were clubbed by the losers. Ron McKechney had a home run and double while Nasie Schnell also hit a round tripper. Bearss, Tim Daley and Faford all had four hits for the Collegians.
G. McKechney (L) and Kreuger
Faford, Steele (7), Resch (W) (8) and Saucier, Germann (7)
(June 6) The Regina Red Sox sprayed 19 hits in all directions, routing four rival hurlers, to humiliate their city cousins, the Regina Royal Caps 18 - 3. Sparked by Denny Cochrane and Ken Mohr, each of whom collected three singles and a triple, the Red Sox exploded for seven runs in the 3rd and made it look easy the rest of the way. Rookie Les Prosofsky, the first of four Royal Caps' chuckers, was charged with the loss. Lefty Charlie Peerless spaced 11 hits to coast to his second straight triumph. Ed Prosofsky and Jake McLean contributed three singles for the Sox. Royal Caps' shortstop John Phillips, keeping up a torrid batting clip, hit 3 for 4 for the losers.
Peerless (W) and Manz, McNabb (9)
L. Prosofsky (L), Larter (3), P. Prosofsky (4), McFadyen (5) and Lysack
(June 7) Abruptly snapping the Regina Red Sox' winning streak at four games with a 7 - 5 victory in the seven inning opener, the Estevan Coalers almost made it a double sweep by deadlocking the nightcap 10 - 10 in the 9th inning before finally dropping the game 11 - 10. In game #1, Ralph Johnston went the route for the Coalers to stop the Red Sox on seven hits, three of which were picked up by Ken Mohr. Gary McKechney and Bill Zielinski each had two hits for the visitors. Hank Mitchell took the loss after surrendering four runs in the 2nd inning.
Johnston (W) and Kreuger
Mitchell (L), Leverick (2) and McNabb, Manz (5)
Charlie Peerless' single in the bottom of the 9th of the owl encounter drove in Denny Cochrane with the winner as salvaged a split for the Red Sox as well as the pride of winner Wes Richardson who gave up five 8th inning runs to allow the Coalers to get back into contention. Cochrane and Richardson each had a pair of hits for the Sox against loser Orv Verpe. Gary McKechney with a triple and two singles and Nasie Schnell with two singles led Estevan at the plate.
Verpe (L) and Kreuger, Jalbert (9)
Richardson (W) and Manz
(June 7) Keith Covert struck out 14 Moose Jaw batters in leading the Weyburn Beavers to a 5 - 1 victory over the visiting Lakers. Jack Shupe's long 1st inning home run started the Beavers off on the right foot and they never lost a step. Wally Blaisdell, replaced by Ray Nutzhorn in the 7th, was charged with the loss. Hitting honors for the night went to Shupe and Dave Hoff of Weyburn plus Jack Devine and Mel Hennenfent of the Lakers who all had two hits. Covert's performance on the hill ran his season's strikeout record to 35 in 25 innings.
Blaisdell (L), Nutzhorn (7) and Smith
Covert (W) and Springer
(June 8) Gord Skjerven, voted the M.V.P. in the Southern League last season, is taking early steps to retain his laurels. The bespectacled right-hander played a big part in the Assiniboia Aces sweep of the Regina Royal Caps by scores of 5 - 3 and 6 - 3. Skjerven throttled the Royal Caps on five hits to win the opening game, allowing but 1 earned run while striking out nine to gain his third pitching victory of the season. Loser Cliff Harrison, veteran Royal Cap performer, allowed six hits but five were bunched into two innings which enabled the Aces to tally the necessary runs. The Royal Caps also failed to deliver with the lumber in the clutch, stranding nine runners. Nick Lawrick of the Aces was the only player to deliver two hits in this game while teammate Ron Lee had a triple.
Skjerven (W) and Waterton
Harrison (L) and Lysack
In the second game, Paul Pearson of the Aces matched Skjerven's five-hitter as Assiniboia came from behind a 3 - 1 deficit to score five times in the 9th to wrap up the sweep. Skjerven doubled off loser Bob Brown, in relief of starter Ted Abel, to knot the count at 3 - 3 and then scored the winner following a single by Nick Lawrick. George Ciocia, Skjerven, Lorne Shanks, Lawrick and Bob Weeks each belted out two of the 13 Assiniboia hits. Catcher Lou Lysack went 2 for 3 for the Reginans.
Pearson (W) and Waterton, Shanks (7)
Abel, Brown (L) (7) and Lysack
(June 9) Pounding out 20 hits off three Arrow hurlers and aided by nine errors and seven walks, the Regina Red Sox completely destroyed the Avonlea Arrows 24 - 8. Tommy Leverick, workhorse of the Red Sox mound staff last season, won for the first time this year as he allowed seven hits and struck out seven. Denny Cochrane and shortstop Sam Goodhue each had four hits for the Sox while Charlie Peerless kicked in with three. Jim Kirkpatrick collected three of Avonlea's seven hits. Gordon Campbell, the first of three Avonlea chuckers, suffered the loss. The annihilation by the Sox was tempered somewhat at the news that infielder Ken Mohr and pitcher Peerless had been signed to try-out contracts by the semi-pro Regina Braves of the Western Canada loop.
Gord Campbell (L), Forer (3), Kirkpatrick (5) and Smith
Leverick (W) and Manz
(June 10) The Moose Jaw Lakers ended their tailspin as they reached up from their last-place position to slap down the 4th place Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 3. Three errors by the Hounds' first baseman Bob Donald at crucial spots helped the Lakers, defending league champions, to their second win in seven starts. Ray Nutzhorn, who normally patrols center field, stepped onto the Laker mound and fashioned a seven-hitter for the winners. Losing pitcher Phil Resch lasted until the 7th. First sacker Mel Hennenfent collected two of the Moose Jaw hits with a double and single. Johnny Faford also had a double and single to lead Notre Dame's seven-hit attack.
Nutzhorn (W) and Peterson
Resch (L), Faford (7) and Saucier, Stewart (7)
(June 11) The Avonlea Arrows held on to third place in the Southern League by clubbing the Regina Royal Caps 10 - 2. Billy Martin and Ron Hall combined their pitching talents to check the Reginans on four hits. Martin, the winner, allowed only three in six plus innings of work. The Arrows tagged loser George McFadyen for 11 safeties including a two-run homer by veteran Archie Sanderson. Garnet Campbell, Jim Kirkpatrick and catcher Stu Smith each had two hits for Avonlea.
McFadyen (L) and Lysack
Martin (W), Hall (7) and Smith
(June 11) The Moose Jaw Lakers dropped the Estevan Coalers into the Southern League cellar, scoring an 8 - 1 victory. The Lakers broke open the contest with four runs in the 4th. Right-hander Jack Devine struck out eight and allowed only three Estevan hits but two came in the 6th inning to deprive him of a shutout. Loser Ralph Johnston, a victim of shaky fielding and the donor of eight walks, chalked up 12 strikeouts.
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
Johnston (L) and Kreuger
(June 12) The high-flying Regina Red Sox preserved their league lead by clubbing three Notre Dame hurlers for 12 hits and 14 - 3 victory. Lefty Vic Wall had an easy time for the Redlegs in posting his third victory by spacing six hits. Hughie Carr was nicked with the trimming. Five Red Sockers collected two hits while only first baseman Bobby Donald of the Dogs, who also had two, got to Wall for more than one hit.
Wall (W) and Manz, McNabb (7)
Carr (L), Resch (2), Steele (9) and Saucier
(June 12) Gord Skjerven came in as a fireman and chalked up his 4th victory of the young season as the Assiniboia Aces edged out the Moose Jaw Lakers 10 - 9. The Aces backed up Skjerven, who relieved starter Jimmy Linnell in the 3rd, with a 15-hit barrage off loser Dave White and two relievers. Ron Lee had three base knocks for Assiniboia.
White (L), Nutzhorn (2), White (3), Blaisdell (6) and Peterson
Linnell, Skjerven (W) (3) and Waterton
(June 13) A five run outburst in the 4th inning propelled the Moose Jaw Lakers to a 12 - 4 pasting of the Avonlea Arrows. Wally Blaisdell, who disposed of 11 Avonlea batters via the strikeout route, picked up the win over Garnet Campbell. Bob Chapman showed the form that made him last season's batting champion as he ripped out three hits for Moose Jaw. Teammate Don Devine picked up a pair of safeties. Gord Campbell slammed out a double and single for the Arrows while Archie Sanderson had two singles.
Garnet Campbell (L), Sanderson (8) and Smith
Blaisdell (W), Bell (9) and Peterson
(June 14) The Assiniboia Aces scored eight runs in the 3rd inning to manhandle the hometown Weyburn Beavers 14 - 3 and make it easy for Paul Pearson to post the complete game win. Pearson was in good form, allowing only six hits and striking out an equal number to pick up his second triumph. Aces' catcher Reg Waterton sparked his team's ten-hit assault off loser Keith Covert and reliever Dave Hoff with three safeties. Gordie Skjerven added a pair while Hoff and Jack Shupe each had two for the Beavers.
Pearson (W) and Waterton
Covert (L), Hoff (3) and Springer
(June 14) The Notre Dame Hounds plated five runs in the 9th inning to score a come-from-behind 7 - 6 victory and, in the process, knock the losing Regina Red Sox out of first place in the Southern League. Loser Wes Richardson of the Sox had a 6 - 2 lead going into the final frame but then gave up five bases-on-balls which led to Bob Donald's crisp single and the winning marker. Johnny Faford came from the depths of certain defeat to emerge as the winner in the fateful 9th. Dean Bell was the only Hound to collect two hits in this contest. Second baseman Ken Mohr and first sacker Ed Prosofsky each had three raps for Regina.
Faford (W) and Saucier
Richardson (L), Leverick (9) and McNabb
(June 17) Southpaw Cliff Harrison pitched a six-hitter and went all the way as the Regina Royal Caps tallied twice in the opening frame and went on to beat the Weyburn Beavers 3 - 1. Ralph Hogg went to the Weyburn hill for the first time this year and looked good, setting down 11 Regina hitters on strikes and giving up eight hits in taking the loss. Doug Hingley and Denny Smith of the Royal Caps shared batting laurels with Weyburn's Les Wilder, each with a 2 for 4 game.
Harrison (W) and Lysack
Hogg (L) and Springer
(June 19) The Estevan Coalers pulled out of the Southern League basement by taking a double dip from the Regina Royal Caps by counts of 7 - 0 and 7 - 3. The Coalers exploded for five runs in the 5th to blank the Reginans in the seven-inning opener behind the three-hit shutout pitching of winner Merrill Tennant. Lloyd Woolley was the victim of most of the 5th inning damage and took the defeat.
L. Woolley (L), Brown (5) and Lysack
Tennant (W) and Kreuger
Estevan came up with three double plays in stopping their Regina foes in the second tilt. A three-run outburst in the 7th clinched the spoils for them as starter and loser George McFadyen was shelled from the Royal Cap mound. Johnny Phillips accounted for all the Royal Cap runs when he blasted a three-run homer in the 4th. Jack Harbourne, out of the bullpen, got credit for the conquest.
McFadyen (L), Heidt (7) and Lysack
Verpe, Harbourne (W) (4) and Kreuger
(June 19) The Assiniboia Aces edged the Avonlea Arrows 3 - 2 for their first triumph over the Arrows in two years. Trailing 2 - 0 after three innings, the Aces held the Arrows off the scoresheet the rest of the way. Center fielder Lorne Shanks scored the winning tally in the 9th off loser Walt Buttgereit when, after he reached base on a single, was later driven in on a fielder's choice. Paul Pearson went the route and fashioned a five-hit win. Reg Waterton and Bob Weeks each rapped out a brace of singles for the Aces. Gordon Campbell poled out a circuit clout for Avonlea in the 3rd while Jim Kirkpatrick had a double and single.
Gord Campbell, Buttgereit (L) (2) and Smukowich
Pearson (W) and Waterton
(June 19) The Regina Red Sox plated three 9th inning runs off loser Phil Resch to take the measure of the Notre Dame Hounds 10 - 7. Denny Cochrane socked a two-run homer in the 1st for the winners while Dean Bell belted a three-run four bagger for the Hounds in the 6th. Hank Mitchell, who needed help from Vic Wall in the 8th, was the winner.
Mitchell, (W), Wall (8) and Manz, McNabb (6)
Resch (L) and Saucier
(June 20) The Regina Red Sox unseated the Assiniboia Aces as Southern League leaders when they trounced the visitors 12 - 2. Vic Wall was a sparkling figure for the Red Sox, setting down enemy batters on six scattered safeties and pacing the Reginans at the plate with three singles and a bases-empty inside-the-park home run. Gord Skjerven lasted six innings on the mound for the Aces and took the loss. Vic's battery mate, Al Manz, shared the hitting spotlight with three singles in four tries. Skjerven had two hits to lead the losers in that department.
Skjerven (L), Hayes (7) and Waterton
Wall (W) and Manz
(June 21) The Moose Jaw Lakers hung up a 16 - 13 victory over the Estevan Coalers as seven pitchers paraded into this sloppily played game. Ray Nutzhorn, Moose Jaw's 3rd chucker, was credited with the win while Ron McKechney was tagged with the loss. Second baseman Nasie Schnell was the game's top hitter with three singles and a double in four trips. Three other Estevan players, Erwin Kreuger, Joe Moroz and Bill Zielinski had a double and single each. Nutzhorn was Moose Jaw's best with two doubles. Bob Chapman had a double and single for the Lakers.
Verpe, Zielinski (5), R. McKechney (L) (6), G. McKechney (8) and Kreuger
Bell, Blaisdell (4), Nutzhorn (W) (6) and Peterson, Lovett (6)
(June 21) The Notre Dame Hounds invaded Weyburn and carted off an 11 - 3 win over the Beavers as complete game winner Hugh Carr set down the home-towners on nine hits. Loser Keith Covert fell behind early and gave way to Ralph Hogg in the 6th. Shortstop Eddie Bearss wielded a heavy stick in the Hound's 14 hit arsenal as he parlayed four hits in five trips into three doubles and a single. Catcher Bernie Saucier hit a bases-empty home run in the 2nd. Covert had a double and two singles in five at-bats to represent Carr's biggest menace.
Carr (W) and Saucier
Covert (L), Hogg (6) and Springer
(June 22) The Assiniboia Aces edged to within a half game of the league-leading Regina Red Sox by beating the Weyburn Beavers 8 - 6. Jimmy Linnell pitched shut-out ball for the first five innings but then had to pitch himself out of hot water in the 9th to rack up the victory. He held the Beavers to six hits. Assiniboia collected 12 hits off loser Dave Hoff including a triple and single by Gord Skjerven, a double and single by Reg Waterton, two doubles by Linnell, two singles by Lorne Shanks and a double by Jim White. Jack Shupe with two doubles and Alex Korpan with two singles were Linnell's greatest antagonizers.
Hoff (L) and Springer
Linnell (W) and Waterton
(June 22) At Estevan, the Coalers behind the slants of lefthander Neil Coutoreille downed the Avonlea Arrows 11 - 6.
Buttgereit (L) and xxx
Coutoreille (W) and xxx
(June 23) The Assiniboia Aces downed the Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 3 in a Southern League game played in Swift Current. The win moved the Aces into a first place tie with the Regina Red Sox.
xxx and xxx
Devine (L) and xxx
Southern League standings as of the end of June 23
Regina Red Sox 9 - 2 .818
Assiniboia Aces 9 - 2 .818
Notre Dame Hounds 5 - 5 .500
Avonlea Arrows 3 - 4 .500
Moose Jaw Lakers 5 - 7 .455
Estevan Coalers 5 - 7 .364
Regina Royal Caps 4 - 7 .364
Weyburn Beavers 2 - 8 .200
(June 24) The Weyburn Beavers brought out their big bats as they pounded out a 10 - 5 win over the Estevan Coalers. The Beavers got to two Estevan hurlers for 12 safe blows including home runs by Dave Hoff and Alex Korpan. Ralph Hogg went all the way for Weyburn, giving up nine hits and striking out ten. Loser Gary McKechney went 6 2/3 innings before being pulled. Keith Covert and Jack Shupe shared the swatting laurels, both banging out a trio of blasts. Hoff and Korpan had a brace as did Ron McKechney and Erwin Kreuger of the Coalers.
G. McKechney (L), Tennant (7) and Kreuger
Hogg (W) and Matlock
(June 24) Speed along the base paths and some fine clutch hurling by Phil Resch provided the Notre Dame Hounds with a narrow 5 - 4 win over the Regina Royal Caps. Although out-hit 13 to 7, the Hounds made hustle count to overcome an early three-run deficit as their pilfering of nine bases played a vital role in enabling them to eke out the triumph. Eddie Magis was a starry figure for the winners. He hit three singles in four trips, driving in two runs, and stole four bases. Vern Glazier and Tim Daley stole a pair of bases apiece. Resch provided solid pitching in times of peril. Regina's Lou Lysack shared the batting limelight with Magis, rapping out a trio of singles. Catcher Lionel Heinrich had a triple and single. Lefty Harrison in a relief role was the loser.
Resch (W) and Saucier
Abel, Harrison (L) (4) and Heinrich
(June 25) The Regina Royal Caps struck for six runs in the 10th inning to down the Moose Jaw Lakers 7 - 1. Trailing 1 - 0 in the bottom of the 9th, the Lakers scored the equalizer only to see the roof fall in on them in the extra frame as the Royal Caps jumped on losing reliever Ray Nutzhorn for a half-dozen. Winning pitcher Ed Heidt went the route in gaining the victory and also smacked out a pair of safeties, as did Nutzhorn. Lanky Bob "Bones" Yeomans pitched the first nine innings for Moose Jaw, striking out nine and allowing four hits, in his no-decision performance.
Heidt (W) and Lysack
Yeomans, Nutzhorn (L) (10), Blaisdell (10) and Peterson, Smith (10)
(June 26) The Moose Jaw Lakers regained their winning ways by defeating the Avonlea Arrows 9 - 3. Wally Blaisdell went all the way on the Moose Jaw mound to get the win with a five-hitter. Gord Campbell took the loss. Lakers clinched the verdict with a five run outburst in the 5th. Blaisdell led the winners offensively with a single and double, the two-bagger being the game's only extra base hit. Bob Chapmen had a pair of singles.
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
Gord Campbell (L), Forer (8) and Smukowich
(June 27) The Regina Red Sox squeezed out a 4 - 3 decision over the Moose Jaw Lakers as catcher Morris McNabb's three base blow in the 10th inning drove in the winning run. Jack Devine went all the way for the losing Lakers, surrendering but five hits. Wes Richardson, in relief of Hank Mitchell, got the win. Ken Mohr of the Red Sox cracked a double for the winners, the only other extra base hit by them. Left fielder Murray Smail led Moose Jaw with a triple and single.
Mitchell, Richardson (W) (5) and McNabb
J. Devine (L) and Lovett
(June 28) Weyburn Beavers - 7 Avonlea Arrows - 6
Covert (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(June 30) Pitcher Vic Wall and right fielder Denny Cochrane shared the spotlight as the Regina Red Sox cemented their hold on first place in the Southern League with a decisive 9 - 0 blowout over the Moose Jaw Lakers. Wall showed brilliant form to handcuff the Laker batters to four scattered safeties in recording the shutout win while Cochrane paced the Red Sockers offensively, driving in five runs with a bases-loaded triple and two sacrifice flies. Lakers' starter and loser Wally Blaisdell fell behind early and was pulled in the 5th. Ed Prosofsky with a triple and single and Ken Mohr with two singles aided the offense for Wall. The Redlegs had a field day along the base paths, swiping 10 bases.
Blaisdell (L), Nutzhorn (5) and Peterson
Wall (W) and Manz
(July 2) The Regina Red Sox maintained their slim margin atop the Southern League when they divided a doubleheader with their closest rivals, the Assiniboia Aces. The Reginans chalked up a four - 2 decision in the opener but the Aces prevailed by a 7 - 5 count in the second tilt. Red Sox' Tommy Leverick and Assiniboia's Paul Pearson hooked up in a tight hurling duel in the seven-inning opener, both pitchers yielding only six base blows. Ken McEachern tripled while Al Manz, Denny Cochrane and Ed Prosofsky each doubled for the Crimson Hose. The Aces were paced by Nick Lawrick with two singles while Rube Erfle had a double.
Leverick (W) and Manz
Pearson (L) and Shanks
Assiniboia exploded for four runs in the 1st and seven in the 3rd to run away with the second encounter behind Gord Skjerven's five-hitter. Wes Richardson, who lasted into the 3rd, was the loser. Lorne Shanks socked a triple and double for the Aces while Nick Lawrick had a double and single. Ron Lee, Rube Erfle and Skjerven each rapped out a pair of singles while Garth Hayes had a double.
Richardson (L), Leverick (3) and McNabb
Skjerven (W) and Shanks, Waterton (6)
(July 2) Joe Reyes whiffed 11 batters and gave up seven safeties as the Avonlea Arrows trounced the Estevan Coalers 12 - 2. The Arrows got away to a fast start, scoring three in the 1st and, in the 4th inning, they shelled loser Orval Verpe off the hill with a five-run burst. Avonlea was led at the plate by Jim Kirkpatrick who hit three singles in five trips. Garnet Campbell with a double and triple and Archie Sanderson with a double and single also contributed to the offense. Estevan's Ron McKechney batted 2 for 4.
Verpe (L), G. McKechney (4) and Jalbert
Reyes (W) and Smukowich
(July 2) The Moose Jaw Lakers walloped the Notre Dame Hounds 16 - 3 as winning pitcher Ray Nutzhorn and outfielder Murray Smail each blasted a double and two singles to lead the winners' 16-hit barrage against loser Dick Griffin and two relievers. Frank Germann connected for three of the seven hits yielded by Nutzhorn.
Griffin (L), Germann (4), Griffin (5), Carr (7) and Saucier
Nutzhorn (W) and Smith
(July 4) In the latest chapter of the battle of the Queen City, the Regina Royal Caps pushed across a run in the 11th inning to defeat their cross-town rivals, the Regina Red Sox, and knock them out of first place. The thrilling game featured combat between two lefthanders, Vic Wall of the Red Sox and Lloyd Woolley of the Royal Caps. Wall suffered his first defeat of the year as Woolley displayed some old-time form in tossing a four-hitter. The winning tally, plated in the second extra frame and unearned, was driven in by Les Bender. First baseman Doug Hingley of the Royal Caps was the only batter to collect two hits in this thriller.
L. Woolley (W) and Lysack
Wall (L) and McNabb
(July 5) Working behind the three-hit performance of the old veteran Ralph Hogg, the Weyburn Beavers pounded out a convincing 14 - 1 rout of the Moose Jaw Lakers. Hogg grew stronger as the game progressed and retired the last 17 Moose Jaw batters in order. The win was Weyburn's third straight. Loser Jack Devine was sent to the sidelines in the 4th. The Beavers collected an even dozen hits, three of them by "Chick" Springer while Keith Covert, Jack Shupe and Dave Hoff all had a pair.
J. Devine (L), Nutzhorn (4), Yeomans (6) and Peterson
Hogg (W) and Matlock
(July 8) The Regina Royal Caps took over third place in the Southern League when they turned back the Weyburn Beavers 9 - 5. Southpaw Cliff Harrison, although he wasn't around at the finish, was credited with his second win of the year. Another lefty, Weyburn's Dave Hoff, was tagged with his 4th loss of the campaign. The Royal Caps took an early lead in this contest and were never behind. Doug Hingley, Lou Lysack, Arnie Floyd and Lionel Heinrich of Regina and Weyburn's Jim Burge shared hitting laurels, each with two base blows. Heinrich's 6th inning home run was the game's longest rap.
Harrison (W), L. Woolley (7) and Lysack
Hoff (L), Covert (8) and Matlock
(July 9) The Avonlea Arrows clubbed the Notre Dame Hounds 15 - 7 as Joe Reyes, although requiring bullpen aid, won his second straight mound start for the Arrows. Jim Kirkpatrick sparked Avonlea's 15 hit rampage with a home run and double. Lloyd Lee added a triple and single against loser Dick Griffin and reliever Phil Resch.
Griffin (L), Resch (4) and Saucier
Reyes (W), Gordon Campbell (7) and Evans
(July 10) The rampaging Regina Red Sox moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the pack by sweeping a doubleheader from the Estevan Coalers by scores of 8 - 7 and 4 - 2. Tommy Leverick out-dueled Merrill Tennant in the opener to pick up his third win and send the Estevan hurler to his first defeat. The winning tally scored on Leverick's sacrifice fly which plated Morris McNabb who had opened the inning with a walk and stolen base. Shortstop Dale Wetsch led Estevan at the dish with three hits. Ed Prosofsky had a two-run 1st inning homer for Regina.
Leverick (W) and McNabb
Tennant (L) and Wright
Red Sox southpaw Vic Wall became the league's top winner by three-hitting the Coalers in the nightcap for his 6th triumph against 1 loss. It was an uphill battle for Wall and the Sox as they fell behind when the Coalers scored a pair of unearned runs in the first. The Redlegs tied it after the 6th and won it in the 9th on Sam Goodhue's RBI single off loser Paul Myers, until just recently a member of the Regina Braves of the Western Canada Baseball League. Denny Cochrane hit a solo home run for the Sox.
Wall (W) and Manz
Myers (L) and Wright
(July 10) The Notre Dame Hounds split a twin-bill with the visiting Assiniboia Aces, stopping the Aces 6 - 0 in the matinee and then taking an 11 - 7 shellacking in the second game. In the opener, southpaw Hugh Carr came up with a nifty three-hitter to pick up his third win and lift the Hounds to victory. Assiniboia's Gord Skjerven dropped the decision to bring his record to five wins and two losses. Outfielder Jim Quinn and Nick Metz each had a triple and single for Notre Dame.
Skjerven (L) and Waterton
Carr (W) and Saucier
The Aces unleashed a powerful 18 hit bombardment in the owl encounter to back Paul Pearson to his 5th win. Pearson struck out 12 in cruising through the Notre Dame line-up. Assiniboia scored ten times in the 3rd to chase Dick Griffin away with his third straight loss. Garth Hayes had a home run, double and single for the Aces. Gord Skjerven hit three singles and Reg Waterton came through with a double and two singles. Ed Bearss with a triple, home run and single and Vern Glazier with a triple and single gave Pearson the most trouble.
Pearson (W) and Waterton
Griffin (L), Resch (3) and Saucier
(July 12) Southern League pitching records released today show a castoff from a rival Regina team, lefty Vic Wall of the front-running Regina Red Sox, is the circuit's top hurler with an impressive six victories in seven decisions. Two of the former Regina Royal Cap southpaw's wins have been shutouts. Two Assiniboia Aces' chuckers, Paul Pearson and Gord Skjerven, are close behind Wall with identical 5 - 2 won-lost marks.
Southern League standings as of July 12
Regina Red Sox 14 - 4 .778
Assiniboia Aces 11 - 4 .733
Regina Royal Caps 7 - 8 .471
Avonlea Arrows 5 - 6 .455
Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 9 .438
Moose Jaw Lakers 7 - 11 .389
Weyburn Beavers 4 - 9 .357
Estevan Coalers 6 - 11 .353
(July 14) Notre Dame Hounds rallied for a 4-4 tie with Brandon Cloverleafs in the final of the Indian Head Tournament. The contest was called at the end of nine innings because of darkness. Each team received $700. Hugh Carr went the distance for the Hounds while former Notre Dame student Les Lilley started for Brandon, giving way to Morley MacFarlane. Carr allowed just four hits, two by Bill Cobb. It was Carr's second route-going effort of the day. In the quarter-finals, he fired a six-hitter as the Hounds won 4-3. Notre Dame reached the final downing Regina Red Sox 9-3. Cloverleafs tagged Riverside 12-1 as Mort Wright tossed a three-hitter.
Les Lilley, Morley MacFarlane and xxx
Hugh Carr and xxx
(July 15) Ken Kober made his Southern League debut a winning one as he threw a four-hitter and led the Regina Red Sox over their city rivals, the Regina Royal Caps, by a 5 - 3 count. Royal Caps' loser George McFadyen also allowed four hits but errors sank him when it counted. The Sox broke a 3 - 3 deadlock in the 7th, scoring twice to take the win. Art Belick with two hits was the top batsman. Sam Goodhue had a double for the winners.
Kober (W) and Manz
McFadyen (L) and Heinrich
(July 15) The Moose Jaw Lakers exchanged sixth spot for fifth with the Notre Dame Hounds by stopping the Hounds 14 - 2. Winner Ray Nutzhorn gave up five hits in going the distance for Moose Jaw. For the Lakers, Ralph Peterson, Bob Chapman and Charlie Elsom provided the batting punch, each coming through with a double and single off loser Phil Resch. Glen "Baldy" Smith had two singles for the winners. Ed McNiven had two hits for Notre Dame while Frank Germann and Ken Townsend each connected for a two-bagger.
Resch (L) and Saucier
Nutzhorn (W) and Peterson
(July17) The Avonlea Arrows took a firm grip on third place in the Southern League by edging the Weyburn Beavers 5 - 4. Joe Reyes won his third straight for Avonlea, allowing the Beavers only eight hits. Veteran Ralph Hogg was the loser. Catcher Larry Smukowich led the Arrows' ten hit attack with three base knocks. George Ardelan and Gord Campbell each kicked in with a pair while Jim Burge had two for Weyburn.
Hogg (L) and Springer
Reyes (W) and Smukowich
(July 17) The Assiniboia Aces stayed in hot pursuit of the Regina Red Sox and first place in the Southern League by sweeping a twin-bill with the Estevan Coalers by 9 - 1 and 15 - 2 counts. The double thumping tumbled Estevan into the cellar and dimmed their playoff hopes. In the seven inning opener, Jimmy Linnell tossed a three-hitter at the Coalers. Merrill Tennant was the loser but deserved a better fate. He gave up only six hits but was offered little support afield as the Coalers erred six times. Garth Hayes collected three of Assiniboia's six blows, a single, double and triple.
Tennant (L) and H. Schnell
Linnell (W) and Waterton
Paul Pearson became the circuit's second six game winner as he spun a seven-hitter in conquering the Soo-Liners in game #2. Orv Verpe was hit with the loss. In all, the Aces tagged Verpe and Gary McKechney for 19 hits. First baseman Jimmy White, Rube Erfle, Gord Skjerven, Lorne Shanks and Garth Hayes each had three hits for the winners. Joe Moroz and Harold Schnell had two apiece for Estevan.
Verpe (L), G. McKechney (8) and H. Schnell
Pearson (W) and Giroux, Waterton (7)
(July 17) The Regina Royal Caps and Notre Dame Hounds divided a Southern League double-dip as the Dogs handled the Reginans 4 - 0 in the opener while the Royal Caps roared back to take the second encounter 16 - 10. The split kept the Royal Caps in fourth place, a half game ahead of the Hounds and Moose Jaw Lakers. Hugh Carr effectively blanked the Queen City crew and picked up the win over right-hander Ed Heidt in the matinee affair.
Heidt (L) and xxxx
Carr (W) and xxxx
Lloyd Woolley was the winner in the second game slugfest as Phil Resch took the loss.
L. Woolley (W) and xxxx
Resch (L) and xxxx
(July 19) The Weyburn Beavers came from behind to settle for a ten inning draw with their Soo-Line rivals, the Estevan Coalers. Trailing 4 - 3 in the bottom of the 9th, the Beavers scored an unearned run to knot the count. Neither team managed to get a runner on base in the extra frame. Dave Hoff started for Weyburn but gave way to Keith Covert in the 7th. Gary McKechney went the distance for the Coalers. Each side collected ten hits in this error-studded affair. Estevan's speedy Joe Moroz led the hit parade with three raps. Dale Wetsch and Stan Fleck backed him up with a brace. For the flat-tailers, Chick Springer, Alex Korpan and Hoff each picked up a duo.
G. McKechney and Fleck
Hoff, Covert (7) and Springer
(July 20) Backed up by a four-hit mound performance from lefty Hugh Carr, who picked up his third straight win, the Notre Dame Hounds toppled the Assiniboia Aces 9 - 1. Carr, keeping the Aces guessing as to where his junk curveball was going to drop next, struck out nine. Loser Jimmy Linnell stayed around until the 6th. Rookie Eddie Bearss headed Notre Dame's ten hit attack with a double and single while Eddie McNiven and Carr each added a double.
Carr (W) and Saucier
Linnell (L), Skjerven (6) and Shanks
(July 20) The Weyburn Beavers mauled the Regina Royal Caps 12 - 7, battering loser Cliff Harrison from the hill in the 1st inning when they scored seven times. It was definitely not a pitcher's night as the Beavers pounded out a total of 16 hits and the Reginans 13. Newcomer Ken Allen went the distance for the Beavers, striking out nine but still not silencing the Royal Caps' lumber. Two home runs were hit in this contest, one being a three-run shot by Weyburn's Jim Burge in the 1st and the other a bases-empty clout by Regina's George McFadyen in the 3rd. Lou Lysack of the Reginans was the leading hitter of the night with three singles and a triple. Keith Covert and Doug Shupe were best for Weyburn with three hits apiece. Chick Springer, Alex Korpan and Ralph Hogg of the Beavers as well as the Royal Caps' McFadyen each had two safeties.
Allen (W) and Springer
Harrison (L), L. Woolley (1) and Lysack
(July 21) The Notre Dame Hounds maintained their supremacy over the Assiniboia Aces in Southern League play, taking their third game in four meetings, winning this time by a score of 14 - 2. Right-hander Phil Resch, plagued recently with sore arm problems, found his old form in stopping Assiniboia on five well-scattered hits. Paul Pearson was charged with his third loss of the year. The game may prove to be a double loss for Assiniboia as shortstop Garth Hayes was injured and may be out of the line-up indefinitely. Hank Dornstauder, Eddie Bearss, Dean Bell, Ed McNiven and Bernie Saucier each collected two hits for the Dogs.
Resch (W) and Saucier
Pearson (L), Hall (7) and Waterton
(July 22) The Regina Braves of the Western Canada Baseball League announced that Vic Wall, the brilliant young southpaw of the Regina Red Sox in the Southern League, had been brought up to start tonight's encounter with the hard-hitting Lloydminster Meridians. Wall eventually went 8 2/3 innings before relief help arrived with two on and two out and a 5 - 4 lead. He left with a "no decision" in a game which Lloydminster eventually won 6 - 5 in ten innings.
(July 22) The Notre Dame Hounds came back twice in the late innings to stop the Weyburn Beavers 6 - 5. Southpaw Hughie Carr sparked the Hounds by winning his sixth pitching decision in tossing his third straight four-hitter. Trailing 3 - 1 in the 7th, the Hounds squared matters on a two-run homer by Ken Townsend. Weyburn pulled ahead once again in the 8th but the pesky Collegians refused to die and came back with three in their half to seal the victory over loser Keith Covert. Townsend and Hank Dornstauder each had two of Notre Dame's six hits.
Covert (L), Hogg (8) and Springer
Carr (W) and Saucier, Germann (6)
(July 22) The hot-and-cold defending champion Moose Jaw Lakers took the measure of the Regina Royal Caps 8 - 4. The Lakers were definitely hot on this occasion and struck quickly, collecting all their runs in the opening four innings before Regina had even plated one. Jack Devine went the route for Moose Jaw, striking out seven and giving up nine hits. Lefty Harrison suffered the loss. Ray Nutzhorn and Bob Chapman each slammed out a triple and two singles for the winning Lakers while Devine helped his own cause with two singles.
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
Harrison (L), Heidt (4) and Ebel
(July 23) The pace-setting Regina Red Sox cooled off the Notre Dame Hounds by socking a pair of Notre Dame hurlers for 15 hits and a 14 - 5 victory. Winning pitcher Wes Richardson pitched into the 7th before Tommy Leverick mopped up. Phil Resch was the loser. First baseman Ed Prosofsky was the night's big hitter with three singles and a triple. Denny Cochrane had a double and triple while Owen Gillstrom and Vic Wall chipped in with two singles.
Resch (L), Griffin (6) and Saucier, Germann (4)
Richardson (W), Leverick (7) and Manz
(July 24) The visiting Estevan Coalers opened the game with five straight singles, scoring a pair of runs and hung on for a 3 - 1 victory over the host Notre Dame Hounds. The Coalers quick start then turned into a tight mound duel between loser Hugh Carr and Orv Verpe. Both chuckers went the route with Verpe prevailing in the end.
Verpe (W) and H. Schnell
Carr (L) and Saucier
(July 25) The Weyburn Beavers kept their Southern League playoff hopes glimmering by thumping the Regina Royal Caps 10 - 5 in a game called after six innings because of rain. Three home runs accounted for 8 of Weyburn's ten runs. Veteran Jim Burge, shortstop Alex Korpan and catcher Chick Springer connected for the circuit to help Ralph Hogg to his 4th victory. Loser Lloyd Woolley and reliever George McFadyen both felt the wrath of Weyburn's 13 hit bombardment. Springer finished the game with a perfect 4 for 4 performance at the plate. Don Woolley had a bases-empty four-bagger for the Royal Caps. The Woolley brothers and a pair of juniors, Walt Ebel and Harvey Johnson, each had two hits for the Royal Caps.
Hogg (W) and Springer
L. Woolley (L), McFadyen (5) and Ebel
(July 25) Regina's Tommy Leverick and Assiniboia's Paul Pearson engaged in a pitcher's battle wherein Leverick prevailed as the Red Sox defeated the Aces 3 - 1 to virtually clinch top spot for themselves in the Southern League. Tied 1 - 1 in the 6th, the Sox scored two unearned runs when the usually reliable shortstop Rube Erfle muffed an easy pop-up. Leverick, who struck out seven and gave up seven hits, came out of two jams with flying colors. Paul Pearson was tagged for eight hits in taking the loss. Owen Gillstrom and Ken Mohr each had two hits for the Sox while Jimmy Linnell and Lorne Shanks had a pair for the Aces.
Pearson (L) and Shanks
Leverick (W) and McNabb
(July 26) Right-hander Ken Allen posted his second victory in as many Southern League starts for the Weyburn Beavers as he toppled the first-place Regina Red Sox 2 - 1 on two hits. The abbreviated contest was halted by rain in the 6th. Allen struck out eight batters in five innings and only Ken McEachern with a 1st inning triple and Sam Goodhue with a 4th inning single were able to get to him for safeties. Ken Kober, Red Sox rookie in his second starting assignment, suffered his first loss. Dave Hoff's towering triple in the 2nd inning plated the winning run for the Beavers.
Allen (W) and Springer
Kober (L) and McNabb
(July 28) The Moose Jaw Lakers erupted for five runs in the 5th inning and then coasted to an 11 - 3 decision over the cellar-dwelling Estevan Coalers. Right-hander Wally Blaisdell went the route for the Lakers on a three-hitter. Orv Verpe, who was tagged for all 11 Moose Jaw runs and seven hits, took his 6th loss. Blaisdell helped his own cause being the only Laker to stroke out two hits. Center fielder Nasie Schnell collected two of Estevan's safeties.
Verpe (L), R. McKechney (6) and Fleck
Blaisdell (W) and Peterson
(July 28) The Weyburn Beavers made it three straight, including two over the pace-setting Regina Red Sox, by thumping the front-runners 16 - 1. Weyburn's new mound artist, Ken Allen, went the distance against the Sox for the second straight night, giving up five hits and striking out nine in the seven inning game. Regina's ace southpaw Vic Wall was shelled from the mound in the 4th and took his second loss. A grand slam home run by Alex Korpan gave the Beavers a 4 - 0 first inning lead and Allen had it in cruise control from that point on as he racked up his third win in as many league starts. In 20 innings of hurling, Allen has fanned 26 batters. Keith Covert collected Weyburn's other homer with one on in the 6th. Covert and Jack Shupe each had three hits while Korpan and Buzz Bent added two apiece for Weyburn. Sam Goodhue and Ed Prosofsky shared batting honors for the Redlegs, each with a brace.
Allen (W) and Springer
Wall (L), Cochrane (4), Kober (4) and Manz
(July 29) Hard-hitting infielder Ken Mohr, making his first ever Southern League pitching performance, came through with flying colors and set down the Avonlea Arrows on a five-hitter in leading the Regina Red Sox to a 7 - 1 victory. The Sox scored three times in the 1st inning against loser Joe Reyes and, with Mohr in complete command, were never headed. Mohr's first inning single drove in two runs to provide him all the cushion he needed.
Mohr (W) and McNabb
Reyes (L), Gord Campbell (1) and Kirkpatrick, Smukowich (2)
(July 30) The Assiniboia Aces bowed out of contention for a first-place finish in the Southern League as they dropped a thrilling 2 - 1 tilt to the Moose Jaw Lakers. Jack Devine spaced four hits and struck out nine Assiniboia batters to gain the nod over Jim Linnell, who also gave up but four safeties, in this pitcher's duel. Only Rube Erfle of the Aces was able to muster up two hits in this contest, slamming out a triple and double in four tries, but was left stranded on each occasion. Moose Jaw scored single tallies in the 1st and 3rd while Assiniboia registered their only run in the top of the 8th.
Linnell (L) and Shanks
J. Devine (W) and Peterson
(July 31) The home-town Estevan Coalers split a doubleheader with the second-place Assiniboia Aces by grabbing a tight 2 - 1 win in the opener and then falling 7 - 2 in the nightcap. The McKechneys, Gary and Ron, combined to ignite Estevan's matinee win. Gary's sharp four-hit hurling kept the Aces well in check. Ron's RBI single drove in the winning run in the 5th. Erwin Kreuger collected two of the Coalers' six hits off loser Paul Pearson.
Pearson (L) and Shanks
G. McKechney (W) and Fleck
The Aces took the second game by scoring all seven runs in the 2nd and 3rd frames which made it easy for winner Gord Skjerven. Ron McKechney was the loser. Catcher Lorne Shanks led Assiniboia with a single, double and triple.
Skjerven (W) and Shanks
R. McKechney (L), Verpe (3) and Fleck
(August 1) The Regina Royal Caps virtually knocked the Avonlea Arrows out of the Southern League playoff picture in tripping the Arrows 8 - 3 behind Ed Heidt's steady hurling. It was the last game of the regular season for Avonlea, who play only a half schedule. The Royal Caps, tossing in six junior recruits, made the most of their six hits and four Aces' errors to stay in command throughout. Loser Joe Reyes was touched for all Regina runs and hits before he departed for a pinch-hitter in the 8th. Reyes and third baseman Archie Sanderson each had two of Avonlea's eight blows off Heidt. Junior recruit Ron Dundas was the only Reginan to collect two hits.
Reyes (L), Forer (8) and Schell
Heidt (W) and Ebel
(August 2) The Weyburn Beavers steamed into a tie for third place in the Southern League when they beat the Assiniboia Aces 4 - 0. Weyburn's new pitching ace, Ken Allen, unfurled a neat one-hitter in gaining his 4th win. He struck out 11, running his string to 37 in 29 innings. The Beavers wrapped up the victory by shoving all four runs across in the 7th inning. Up to that point, it had been strictly a pitcher's joust with Assiniboia's Paul Pearson, the loser, doing a fine job in matching Allen's output on the hill. Merv "Chick" Springer, who singled and doubled, was the only man to get more than one hit.
Pearson (L), Hall (8) and Shanks
Allen (W) and Springer
(August 3) The Regina Red Sox managed only six hits but made the most of them in stopping the Moose Jaw Lakers 6 - 3 and putting a serious damper on the Lakers' playoff hopes. Tommy Leverick was touched for seven blows, all singles, but spaced them effectively for his 5th straight victory. Wally Blaisdell was the complete game loser. Art Rennie of the Sox and Moose Jaw newcomer Ted Pasch each collected two hits. Jake McLean with a triple and Ed Prosofsky both drove in a pair of runs for Regina.
Blaisdell (L) and Smith
Leverick (W) and Manz
(August 4) The Weyburn Beavers boosted their playoff hopes when they edged the Moose Jaw Lakers 4 - 3 in a thrilling ten inning contest. Veterans Ralph Hogg of the Beavers and Moose Jaw's Jack Devine engaged in a tightly-fought complete game battle. Both chuckers gave up eight hits with Hogg coming out on top. Jim Burge was Weyburn's man-of-the-hour in the extra frame when he singled to score Keith Covert with the winning run. Jack Shupe was the only Weyburn batter to connect for a pair of hits, both being singles. The leading Moose Jaw hitters were Glen "Baldy" Smith with an inside-the-park home run and a single as well as Murray Smail and Herb Lovett each having two singles.
Hogg (W) and Springer
J. Devine (L) and Peterson
(August 8) The Notre Dame Hounds got a two-run homer off the bat of rookie Eddie Bearss in the bottom of the 8th and final frame, to go along with Hugh Carr's steady mound performance, for a 4 - 2 decision over the Weyburn Beavers. The important triumph boosted the Hounds into the 4th and final playoff slot. Notre Dame was behind 2 - 1 beginning their final turn at bat but got to loser Ken Allen to hand him his first loss. Both teams banged out seven hits with Allen having three of Weyburn's total to top all swatters.
Allen (L) and Springer
Carr (W) and Germann
(August 9) In up-ending the Regina Royal Caps 6 - 4, the Notre Dame Hounds emphasized their bid for a Southern League playoff spot as they moved into a 3rd place tie with the Weyburn Beavers, a full game ahead of the defending champion Moose Jaw Lakers. Right-hander Phil Resch, plagued with a sore arm most of the season, stopped the Royal Caps on six hits to pick up the win. Veteran Ed Heidt was charged with the loss. Nick Metz, Bobby Donald, Eddie Bearss and Ken Townsend all had two hits for the Hounds while Harvey Johnson was the lone Reginan to hit safely twice.
Resch (W) and Germann
Heidt (L) and Ebel
(August 10) Lorne Shanks doubled home catcher Reg Waterton with the winning run as the Assiniboia Aces edged the Weyburn Beavers 4 - 3 and prevented the Beavers from wrapping up a playoff berth. The game was called in the bottom of the 7th after the lead run had crossed the plate. The Aces had to come from behind a 3 - 1 deficit to give right-hander Paul Pearson his 6th victory of the year. Pearson allowed only six hits while loser Keith Covert was tagged for ten. Tied 3 - 3 entering the last of the 7th, the Aces' Reg Waterton and Garth Hayes both singled and, with one out, Shanks doubled to end the contest. Hayes had three singles for Assiniboia. Jim Burge with a double and a pair of singles led Weyburn at the dish.
Covert (L) and Matlock
Pearson (W) and Waterton
(August 12) The Moose Jaw Lakers received a rude jolt in their bid to enter the Southern League playoffs when they bowed to Ed Heidt and the Regina Royal Caps 9 - 3. Heidt went the route for the Royal Caps to pick up the win in the abbreviated seven inning contest. The defeat was hung on Moose Jaw starter Dave White who was rocked for four 1st inning Regina markers. Doug Hingley wielded a potent bat for the victors, slamming out a triple, double and single in four trips while rookie Arnie Floyd had a double and single in five at-bats.
White (L), Blaisdell (1), J Devine (3) and Peterson, Smith (6)
Heidt (W) and Ebel
Weyburn and Estevan tied 5-5 in a game called after eight innings because of darkness. Ron McKechney had a two-run homer for Estevan. Jack Shupe and Merv Springer had two-run doubles for the Beavers.
G McKechney and Fleck
Allen and Springer
(August 12) In a replay of a previously tied 4 - 4 contest, the Weyburn Beavers and Estevan Coalers settled nothing as they again deadlocked, this time 5 - 5. Both hurlers, Gary McKechney of Estevan and Weyburn's Ken Allen, went the distance in the game called after the 8th because of darkness. Ron McKechney's two-run homer for Estevan in the 5th was the game's big blow.
G. McKechney and Fleck
Allen and Springer
(August 14) The Moose Jaw Lakers stopped the Estevan Coalers 6 - 2 but still require a minor miracle to make the playoffs and defend their Southern League crown. Two home runs by Wally Blaisdell kept Moose Jaw alive on life support and gave the pitching nod to Jack Devine. Tied 2 - 2 entering the 8th, the Lakers surged ahead to stay when Blaisdell connected for his second round-tripper off loser Ron McKechney. Herb Lovett and Ray Nutzhorn also had two hits for Moose Jaw.
J. Devine (W) and Lovett
Verpe, G. McKechney (3), R. McKechney (L) (8) and Kreuger
(August 16) The Regina Royal Caps dropped out of the race for the fourth and final playoff spot, losing 2 - 1 to their city rivals the Regina Red Sox. Lefty Vic Wall, relieved by rookie Ken Kober in the 6th, was credited with hid 7th victory against two losses. Veteran Ed Heidt was the loser. Denny Cochrane sparked the Red Sox with a single and triple and scored both of his team's runs. He was the only player in the game to rap out a brace.
Heidt (L) and Ebel
Wall (W), Kober (6) and McNabb
(August 17) The Weyburn Beavers sewed up a playoff berth in the Southern League when they beat the Estevan Coalers 3 - 0 on the strength of Keith Covert's masterful two-hitter. Covert was in top form as he fanned ten batters without giving up a base on balls and, in addition, retired the first 14 men in order. Losing pitcher Gary McKechney hurled a great game as well, allowing but five hits and a single earned run but was the victim of six Coalers' errors. A coin toss in the league office also gave the Beavers the nod for 3rd place over the Notre Dame Hounds with whom they shared identical 13 - 13 records. Weyburn will now meet Assiniboia in one semi-final while Notre Dame will face the pennant winning Regina Red Sox in the other.
G McKechney (L) and Kreuger
Covert (W) and Springer
Final Standings
Regina Red Sox 20 - 6 .769
Assiniboia Aces 15 - 10 .600
Weyburn Beavers 13 - 13 .500
Notre Dame Hounds 13 - 13 .500
Moose Jaw Lakers 12 - 14 .462
Avonlea Arrows 6 - 8 .429
Regina Royal Caps 10 - 15 .400
Estevan Coalers 8 - 18 .308
PLAYOFFS :
(August 19) The first place Regina Red Sox decimated the Notre Dame Hounds 18 - 0 in the opening game of their best-of-three Southern League semi-final. The Reginans teed off on Notre Dame's seven game winner Hugh Carr for 16 hits. Every Red Sox player in the line-up contributed offensively. Even winning pitcher Tommy Leverick blasted out a triple and single. Third baseman Al Manz sparked the Red Sox with three hits, including a triple and double. Hank Dornstauder and Nick Metz each had two of Notre Dame's five hits.
Carr (L) and Dornstauder
Leverick (W) and McNabb
(August 21) Ken Allen, tagged for ten hits but dynamite in the clutch, sent the Weyburn Beavers into a one-game lead in their semi-final set by tripping up the Assiniboia Aces 3 - 2. Allen struck out four in besting Assiniboia's Paul Pearson. He also enjoyed a perfect day at the plate with three singles and a triple. Buzz Bent's 7th inning single drove in Allen with the winning Weyburn marker.
Allen (W) and Springer
Pearson (L) and Waterton
(August 21) Lefthander Vic Wall, the Southern League's regular season top hurler with a 7 - 2 mark, was in the limelight after pitching and batting the Regina Red Sox to a 10 - 2 decision over the Notre Dame Hounds, thus eliminating the Collegians from further playoff action and earning the Sox the semi-final series in two straight games. Wall limited the Hounds to five hits in gaining the complete game victory. He also cracked out a run-producing double in the 2nd, a three-run homer in the 3rd and another productive single in the 7th. In all, the Red Sox tagged loser Phil Resch for 12 hits, the longest being a 420 foot circuit clout off the bat of Denny Cochrane. Eddie Bearss had two of the five hits given up by Wall.
Wall (W) and McNabb
Resch (L) and Faford
(August 23) It will be the Weyburn Beavers and the Regina Red Sox in the Southern League final after the Beavers took out the Assiniboia Aces in two consecutive semi-final matches, the latest being a remarkable 9 - 8 comeback victory. Weyburn trailed 7 - 0 entering the bottom of the 4th inning but then the wheels began to come off for the Aces, allowing the Soo-Liners to surge from apparent defeat to a scintillating triumph. Ken Allen, who relieved Ralph Hogg in the 5th, got the win in this eight inning joust called because of darkness. Gord Skjerven, the Aces' top mound artist during the regular schedule with a 6 - 2 record, was touched for eight hits in taking the gut-wrenching loss as his mates provided him with little in the way of steady fielding support, committing six errors, one of which allowed the winning run to score. Three of the hits off Skjerven were home runs, Jack Shupe and Keith Covert with bases-empty shots plus a three-run blast by Chick Springer.
Skjerven (L) and Waterton
Hogg, Allen (W) (5) and Springer
(August 23) Veteran Tommy Leverick, Regina Red Sox relief specialist, is the new holder of the Doc Hughes Memorial Trophy presented annually to the Southern League's leading hurler. He won five and lost none during the regular schedule. Leverick, a right-hander, won four of his games as a starter and another in relief. He also saved four other victories as the Red Sox marched to the league pennant. Three pitchers shared the distinction of winning the most games, seven. Lefty Vic Wall of the Regina Red Sox won seven against two losses. Another southpaw, Hugh Carr of the Notre Dame Hounds won seven but lost three. Paul Pearson of the Assiniboia Aces appeared in the most games, 16, and won seven while losing six decisions.
Leading Pitchers
Tommy Leverick Regina Red Sox) 5 - 0 1.000
Ray Nutzhorn (Moose Jaw Lakers) 4 - 1 .800
Ken Allen (Weyburn Beavers) 4 - 1 .800
Vic Wall (Regina Red Sox) 7 - 2 .778
Gord Skjerven (Assiniboia Aces) 6 - 2 .750
Hugh Carr (Notre Dame Hounds) 7 - 3 .700
Ralph Hogg (Weyburn Beavers) 4 - 2 .667
Paul Pearson (Assiniboia) 7 - 6 .538
Regina Red Sox outfielder Denny Cochrane, skip of a rink that was runner-up for the Dominion Junior Curling laurels a few years ago, is the new batting king of the Southern League. Cochrane edged out Assiniboia's Gord Skjerven by a slim .006 margin in clouting the ball at a .398 clip. He also led or tied for the lead four of the five offensive departments. The Crimson Hose fly-chaser cracked out the most hits, 35, scored the greatest number of runs, 31, and tied for the lead in the doubles and triples categories. Skjerven's .392 average was second while Jack Shupe of the Weyburn Beavers came in third at .359. Shupe was second in the number of base hits with 33 while Notre Dame rookie Eddie "Chief" Bearss was credited with 32. Ed Prosofsky of the pennant-winning Red Sox and Estevan's Nasie Schnell each had 31 hits. Schnell was the runner-up to Cochrane in runs scored with 28 while Al Manz of the Red Sox crossed the plate 25 times. Cochrane and Lorne Shanks of Assiniboia each had eight doubles to tie for the lead in that department while Cochrane shared the three-bagger lead with teammate Ken McEachern, each having five. Bearss, the Hounds' 17 year old shortstop, took the home run honors with four, one more than Cochrane and rookie Alex Korpan of Weyburn. Assiniboia's second place finishing Aces topped the loop in team batting with a .271 average. The Red Sox were second with .258 while the Notre Dame Hounds hit .255 collectively.
(August 24) The red-hot Weyburn Beavers drew first blood in the Southern League final series, edging the pennant-winning Regina Red Sox 4 - 3. Veteran Keith Covert drew the pitching assignment for the Beavers and got credit for the win although needing bullpen help from Ken Allen in this seven inning, darkness-shortened opener. Weyburn chased loser Wes Richardson in the 3rd and had a 4 - 0 lead heading into the 6th but the Red Sox ran out of daylight after coming within a a single tally of tying it up. Denny Cochrane hit a mammoth bases-empty home run for Regina who out-hit Weyburn 7 - 6. Red Sox management was furious that the game was shortened as the scheduled start time had been delayed 15 minutes when Beaver players were late in arriving at their home diamond.
Richardson (L), Wall (3) and McNabb
Covert (W), Allen (7) and Springer
(August 26) The Weyburn Beavers, the last team to squeeze into the Southern League playoffs, received a timely pair of extra-base hits from a rookie and a veteran to jolt the Regina Red Sox 9 - 5 in their second meeting of the championship final. It was the Beavers 5th straight triumph, including four consecutive in the playoffs, as they took a stranglehold on this series. The Beavers built up a comfortable 8 - 0 lead after six frames to make it relatively easy for winner Ken Allen who struck out 13 in his winning performance. Buzz Bent, Weyburn's rookie second baseman, rapped out a triple against loser Tommy Leverick for his third straight hit of the night to feature Weyburn's first uprising. Keith Covert's three-run double in the 6th was the other big punch. Bent with three knocks and Covert with a double and triple were the big hitters the Beavers. Catcher Al Manz collected two of Regina's nine hits.
Allen (W) and Springer
Leverick (L), Richardson (4) and Manz
(August 27) Outfielder Art Rennie, a .262 hitter during the regular schedule, singled in the bottom of the 10th inning to score Al Manz with the winning run as the Regina Red Sox took a new lease on life in the Southern League final with a 9 - 8 triumph over the Weyburn Beavers. It was Regina's first win in the best-of-five series. The Sox blew a 6 - 1 lead but bounced back in the 9th with two runs to tie it and then plated the winner in the 10th. The Beavers were buffaloed for seven innings by southpaw Vic Wall, who spaced four hits, but erupted in the 8th for four runs. Tommy Leverick, who entered as a fireman, failed to extinguish the Weyburn flames as they moved ahead 8 - 6. The Redlegs needed an error and singles by Ken Mohr and Denny Cochrane to push across the tying runs in the bottom of the 9th. Loser Keith Covert surrendered Manz' 10th inning lead-off base-on-balls and then Rennie's hit which ended the contest and made Leverick the winner. Mohr sparked the Red Sox at bat with two singles and a triple, accounting for four RBI's. Rennie had a pair of singles. Covert led the Weyburn batters with three hits.
Hogg, Covert (L) (9) and Springer
Wall, Leverick (W) (8) and McNabb
(August 30) The Regina Red Sox made it two straight over the Weyburn Beavers in convincing fashion when they trounced the Beavers 11 - 2 to force a 5th and deciding game for Southern League honors. The Crimson Hose finally found the range against Weyburn's top hurler, Ken Allen, and drove him from the hill after six frames in this eight-inning affair which was called when darkness set in. Vic Wall hurled the complete game for the Redlegs to get the win. Wall was at his very best when in peril and forced the Beavers to strand an even dozen base runners. Catcher Morris McNabb was the leading hitter of the night with two singles, a double and three RBI's. Wall went 2 for 5 and drove in three. For Weyburn, Jim Burge was best, hitting 3 for four.
Wall (W) and McNabb, Manz (6)
Allen (L), Hoff (7) and Springer
(September 1) The Regina Red Sox claimed their second Southern League title in three years when they humbled the Weyburn Beavers 16 - 9 in the deciding game of the best-of-five final series. The Beavers started strongly and led 4 - 0 after two innings before the Red Sox got on a roll. Portsider Vic Wall was routed from the hill to left field in the first frame when Weyburn scored three but came back to the mound in the 4th, when fireman Tommy Leverick faltered, to claim the victory. Veteran Ralph Hogg, in relief of Dave Hoff, was charged with the loss. The Red Sox slammed out 18 hits in this wild showdown. Wall had four hits including a booming two-run triple. Second baseman Ken Mohr cracked out three singles while two-hit nights were earned by Ken McEachern, Morris McNabb, Denny Cochrane and Ed Prosofsky. For the Beavers, Keith Covert knocked out three singles while Bill Garner, Buzz Bent, Chick Springer and Alex Korpan each had a duo.
Hoff, Hogg (L) 3), Hoff (6), Covert (6) and Springer
Wall, Leverick (1), Wall (W) (4) and Manz, McNabb (4)