Introduction : The pre-season started off with the rejection of the Saskatoon Ambassadors for conditional entry into the league. The Weyburn Beavers, one of the long-term clubs in the Southern League asked for and were granted a one-year leave of absence. The Rowletta and Moose Jaw franchises decided to join forces and play all their home games in Moose Jaw as the Steelers. Swift Current requested and received assurance that an unbalanced schedule, featuring extra games between the Indians and both Moose Jaw and Regina, would be worked out. A new entry, the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians, was accepted into the loop. The Marquis Wheat Kings began the season but, after three games in May in which they were blown out each time, decided to throw in the towel. The net result of all of the aforementioned........a seven-team loop for the 1961 campaign with Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Regina playing each other an extra two games for a total of 32 while the other four clubs will play a 28 game schedule.

(May 19) Terry Burns lifted a long home run over the left field fence with two mates aboard in the 9th inning to give the Swift Current Indians an 8 - 7 victory over the Moose Jaw Steelers in the opening game of the 1961 Southern League season. The Indians held a cozy five-run lead over the first six innings but the bubble burst in the 7th as the Steelers pushed across seven runs to take a 7 - 5 lead. It remained that way until Burns' blast in the bottom of the 9th off loser Ray Nutzhorn. Playing-manager Jackie McLeod, in a relief role, got the pitching win for the Frontier City boys. Stu Millard was the top dog with the bat for the Indians, drilling a double and triple while Burns had a single to go along with his homer. Wally Blaisdell had a double and single for the Steelers while Mel Hennenfent cracked a home run.

Mandzuk, Nutzhorn (L) (5) and Hunchuk
Pederson, Ranger (8), McLeod (W) (8) and Johnson

(May 22)   Regina Red Sox took top money at the Notre Dame International Sports Day.  Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit to down the host Hounds 7-3 in the final.  Morris McNabb's 5th inning double was the key hit as the Sox broke loose for four runs in the 5th and added three more in the 6th for the win and $100 in prize money.  Ed Heidt, who relieved in the 5th and got the Sox out of a bases-loaded jam, picked up the win.  Hugh Carr was the loser. 

To advance to the money round, Sox clobbered the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 17-3 and Moose Jaw Steelers 12-3.  Notre Dame edged by Estevan 5-4 and Balcarres Braves 13-7. 

Matt Collins had four hits, including a pair of doubles, in Regina's win over the Sioux Indians.  Brian Bowerman added a triple and two doubles and Wayne "Charlie" Mang had a single, double and triple.  Arnie Floyd was the winner, with relief help from Ed Heidt. Lorne Houk was the loser.  Ed Stefureak knocked in five runs with three doubles as Regina spanked Moose Jaw.  Al Ash held the Steelers to four hits to register the win.  Bob Bell was the loser.  Ken Townsend drove in the winning run in the final frame in the Hounds win over Estevan.  He also picked up the victory on the mound.  Lee Swanson was the loser.    Bernie Saucier had a grand slam homer to lead Notre Dame past Balcarres. 

In other first round action, Moose Jaw trounced Marquis Wheat Kings 14-1 as Wally Blaisdell fired a one-hitter and Balcarres blanked Swift Current 2-0 as Gordon Sim tossed the shutout. 

(May 24)   Swift Current Indians erupted for eight runs in the 7th inning and trounced Marquis 13-1 as three Indians' hurlers combined on a two-hitter.  Gord Holderbein allowed no hits through four innings.  He fanned seven but gave up six bases on balls.  Phil Kalyn gave up the lone Wheat Kings run in the 5th and Terry Burns stopped the rally and went the rest of the way.  Starter Ron Fryklund of the Wheat Kings took the loss. Stu Millard with a double and single and Gord Johnson and Jackie McLeod, both with two singles, led the way in the Tribe's 10-hit attack

Holderbein (W), Kalyn (5), Burns (5) and Johnson
Fryklund (L), Jenkins (3), Fryklund (4), Jenkins (7), Froelich (7) and Anderson

(May 25) The Swift Current Indians ran their unbeaten streak to three straight as they defeated the Regina Red Sox 11 - 9 in an explosive game. The Tribe broke a 9 - 9 tie with two runs in the top of the 9th, playing at that point without manager Jackie McLeod who had been ejected an inning earlier for his profane objections to a called strike. The Red Sox twice overcame three-run deficits but couldn't quite cope with the Speedy Creek attack. McLeod was credited with the pitching victory while the Redlegs' Ed Heidt took the loss. The Indians out-hit the Sox 12 - 7 with Gus Twamley and Jim Wright leading the way with two hits each, one of Twamley's being a triple. For Regina, Ed Stefureak had a three-bagger and a single while catcher Morris McNabb singled twice.

Pederson, McLeod  (W) (7), Burns (9) and Johnson
Ash, Heidt (L) (6) and McNabb

(May 25) Paul Longmore, the Moose Jaw Steelers' young right-hander, performed like a veteran against the Balcarres Braves. The 17-year-old pitcher threw a complete game four-hitter as the Steelers romped to a 13 - 2 victory. Another youngster, starter Gord Sim of the Braves, was the loser. Shortstop Dennis Williams was the best at the plate for Moose Jaw, going three for four including a double. Wally Blaisdell, Murray Smail and Longmore all had a double and single each.

Sim (L), Warsey (3) and Jackson, Davis (7)
Longmore (W) and Foord, Hunchuk (7)

(May 26)    Three Regina hurlers combined on a three-hitter, but allowed 12 walks, as the Red Sox swamped Marquis 11-5.  Starter Vic Wall picked up the win. The Crimson Hose knocked loser Merv Froelich from the hill in the 2nd frame. Gary Korven's three-run homer paced the winners.  Luke Moser had four hits, including a pair of doubles, while Ed Prosofsky contributed a trio of singles and both Wall and Brian Bowerman, a pair each.

Froelich (L), Fryklund (2) and Anderson
Wall (W), Stefureak (5), Floyd (8) and McNabb

(May 26)  In a slugfest at Estevan, the Maple Leafs opened with nine runs in the 1st inning but had to withstand a 10-run inning by Notre Dame to score a 17-10 victory in a game called after six innings.  Estevan starter and winner Gordie McDonald retired the first 12 Notre Dame batters he faced and was breezing along with a huge lead until the Hounds came to life in the 5th, driving him temporarily off the hill, while scoring all 10 of their runs. Notre Dame starting pitcher Wayne Folk took the loss. Bob Peterson and Lee Swanson each had a brace of one-baggers to lead the Estevan offense.

Folk (L), Egar (2) and Doetzel
McDonald (W), Harbourne (5), McDonald (5), Thompson (6) and Hamill, H Schnell (5)     

(May 28)   Estevan swept a double-header from Fort Qu'Appelle 7-6 and 10-6.  Estevan's Gord McDonald picked up the mound win in the matinee event while Lyle Thompson of the Maple Leafs claimed the nightcap pitching victory.

xxx and xxx
McDonald (W) and xxx

xxx and xxx
Thompson (W) and xxx

(May 28)   Notre Dame topped Marquis 13-3 as Eddie Bearss had three hits, including a bases-loaded double, and three walks.  Hugh Huck added a double and single, while Richie Dukes had two singles. Gary Olafson with three singles and Bernard Cannon with a double and single were best with the club for the Wheaties. Jim Jankowich went the first five frames to pick up the win for the Dogs. E. Wilson, the first of four Marquis chuckers, took the defeat.

E Wilson (L), xxx, xxx and xxx
Jankowich (W), Eger (6) and xxx

(May 29) The Regina Red Sox had a little too much punch for the Balcarres Braves as they outlasted the visitors in a seven-inning slugging match for a 14 - 12 Southern League victory. Young Gordie Sim was pounded for 17 hits but hung in there for the entire seven frames in taking the loss. Red Sox' starter Arnie Floyd was the winner. It was a big night for hitters on both clubs. For the Red Stockings, Lionel Ruhr had a homer, double and single, Luke Moser a triple and double, "Charlie" Mang a triple and single, Harvey Johnson a double and single and Matt Collins and Floyd, each came up with two singles. Alex Lypka and Mel Harrison both had two doubles and a single for Balcarres while Barry Trapp chipped in with a triple and single and John Walker a double and single.

Floyd (W), Ash (6) and McNabb
Sim (L) and Ross

(May 31) The Marquis Wheat Kings today informed Southern League officials that they have withdrawn their club immediately from competition simply because it was not up to the calibre of league play. The Wheat Kings have played three games to this point in the schedule and have been easily outclassed in each one. All Marquis players have been declared free agents and will be available to other league teams. With Marquis folding, the Southern League has been reduced to seven teams for the balance of the 1961 campaign.

(June 1) The Hounds of Notre Dame were sent home to lick their wounds after taking a 14 - 3 thrashing from the Regina Red Sox, a defeat that was spawned in large measure by their defensive shortcomings. In total, eight miscues kept Hounds' starter and loser Hugh Carr as well as reliever Jim Jankowich in constant peril and presented the Red Sox with a plethora of unearned runs. Big Ed Stefureak started on the hill for Regina and lasted until the 6th, long enough to pick up the victory. Shortstop Lionel Ruhr continued his healthy hitting for the Reginans, singling three times. Denny Cochrane had a home run and single. Luke Moser and rookie Gary Korven had two hits each for the Redlegs. Third baseman Denny Messier ripped four singles for the Dogs.

Carr (L), Jankowich (4) and Saucier
Stefureak (W), Floyd (6) and McNabb

(June 2) The Swift Current Indians smashed 15 hits off four Moose Jaw pitchers to take a 14 - 5 decision over the Steelers and run their unbeaten streak to four games. Swift Current pushed across two runs in the 1st, one in the 2nd and four in the 3rd to sew up the game in the Mill City. Denny Weston, who relieved Indians' starter Harvey Pederson when he faltered in the 3rd, was the winner. Wayne LeBere, the first of the Moose Jaw pitchers, was the loser. Jerry Ranger with two doubles and a single and Clint Cory with two doubles led the Indians' attack. Denny Williams was the only Steeler to get more than one hit, rapping two singles.

Pederson, Weston (W) (3) and Johnson, Millard (7)
LeBere (L), Mandzuk (3), Blaisdell (6), Longmore (7) and Foord, Hunchuk (7)

(June 2) The Regina Red Sox erupted for another one of their patented scoring splurges in taking a 17 - 10 victory over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. The win was the 4th straight for the Red Sox, coming after an opening game loss to Swift Current. The contest ended after eight innings when darkness set in. Although the Sioux crew made Regina's task so much easier by committing 9 errors, ironically they also had the fielding gem of the night, a triple play. Fort Qu'Appelle starter Richard Goodpipe never got out of the 1st inning and was hit with the loss. Red Sox' starter Vic Wall only lasted to the 5th but that was long enough to get the win. Lionel Ruhr and Matt Collins each had a double and single for the Red Stockings while Morris McNabb and Charlie Mang each had two singles. Duane Ring with a double and two singles, Art Obey and Lorne Houk each with a double and single and Herb Strongeagle with two singles were the top hitters for Fort Qu'Appelle.

Wall (W), Holcomb (5), Ash (5) and McNabb, Gordon (7)
Goodpipe (L), Obey (1) and Houk, Goodpipe (1)

(June 4) The Moose Jaw Steelers unleashed an awesome attack in the late innings to overpower the Balcarres Braves 13 - 3 in a Southern League game. While the Steelers were having their day at the plate nailing four Balcarres pitchers for 15 hits, southpaw Terry Wasley was turning in a sparkling performance on the mound, holding the Warriors to six scattered hits. Braves' starter Bill Warsey was saddled with the defeat. The Steelers had former Marquis Wheat Kings' Murray Jenkins in the line-up and he produced handsome dividends, banging out a triple and two singles. Herb Lovett with a double and two singles, Ray Nutzhorn with three singles and Wasley with a pair of one-baggers also participated in the Moose Jaw hitting feast. Ivan Gurski, Johnny Ross and Mel Harrison each produced a double to lead the Balcarres' hitters.

Wasley (W) and Foord, Lovett (5)
Warsey (L), Kober (8), Hildebrand (8), Czemeres (9) and Ross

(June 6) Shaky defensive play and the inability to bunch their hits for a rally until the final inning cost the Moose Jaw Steelers a 10 - 8 setback at the hands of the Notre Dame Hounds. Although Moose Jaw out-hit Notre Dame, they committed eight errors. Notre Dame starting pitcher Jim Jankowich got credit for the win. Dick Mandzuk, Steelers' starter, was charged with the loss. Denny Messier of the Hounds and Moose Jaw's Dennis Williams connected for home runs.

Jankowich (W), Carr (7) and Saucier
Mandzuk (L), Bell (2), Nutzhorn (6) and Hunchuk

(June 6) The Balcarres Braves suffered through a disastrous evening as the Regina Red Sox unmercifully pasted them 24 - 1. Winning pitcher Al Ash and Ken Holcomb combined to hurl a one-hitter at the Braves, the only hit being a bloop single off Ash by Balcarres' starter and loser Ed Bobowski. Harvey Johnson, Morris McNabb and Lionel Ruhr all had three hits as the Reginans belted 21 safeties. Luke Moser, Ed Stefureak and Matt Collins had a pair each.

Bobowski (L), Sim (7), Kober (7) and Ross
Ash (W), Holcomb (7) and McNabb, Gordon (8)

(June 7) The Moose Jaw Steelers blew leads twice in the short span of three innings but managed to jump to the fore a third time and hang on for a 7 - 5 victory over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Norm Goodwill's 7th inning solo homer brought the home-team into a 5 - 5 deadlock with the Steelers but, then, Moose Jaw pushed single runs across in the 8th and 9th for which the Sioux had no reply. Ray Nutzhorn, in relief behind two other Steeler chuckers, was the winner. Lorne Houk went all the way for Fort Qu'Appelle allowing 9 hits but being betrayed by a defense that committed five errors. Wally Blaisdell got the Steelers off to a fast start, cracking a home run in the 1st inning. He added a double later in the game. Herb Lovett and Dave Hornichuk each had two singles for Moose Jaw. Goodwill with his homer and single, Duane Ring with a double and single plus Duane DeCorby and Houk, each with two singles, supplied the key blows for Fort Qu'Appelle.

Longmore, Bell (6), Nutzhorn (W) (6) and Lovett
Houk (L) and Goodwill

(June 8) Crafty Notre Dame veteran Hugh Carr was nicked for 12 hits but, while the Estevan Maple Leafs found that hits came easy, the runs didn't. In the eight inning contest called because of darkness, Carr and the Hounds picked up a 6 - 2 victory. Maple Leafs' starter Jackie Harbourne took the loss. Notre Dame had 9 hits in all. Eddie Bearss rapped a double and single while Hugh Huck and Bernie Saucier each had two-baggers. Bob Peterson with a trio of singles and Lyle Thompson and Gary McKechney each with two singles were the top hitters for Estevan.

Harbourne (L), Klippenstein (6) and Kreuger
Carr (W) and Saucier

(June 9) Arnie Floyd toed the rubber and hurled a two-hitter, facing only 32 batters, as the Regina Red Sox stopped the Moose Jaw Steelers 4 - 1. The only Moose Jaw run was unearned. Steelers' chucker Wally Blaisdell also went the route, giving up 9 hits in taking the loss. Matt Collins had two of the eight base knocks off Blaisdell, the only player with more than one safety.

Blaisdell (L) and Hunchuk, Foord (9)
Floyd (W) and McNabb

(June 10) The Swift Current Indians tripped the Balcarres Braves 11 - 4 in the opener of their weekend set-to in the Frontier City. The Indians routed Balcarres' starter and loser Keith Czemeres in the 1st inning, scoring three times and chasing him from the hill. Mel Humble pitched the first six innings for Swift Current to pick up the win. The Indians out-hit the Braves 11 - 8.

Czemeres (L), Sim (1) and McIsaac
Humble (W), McLeod (7) and Millard

(June 11) The Estevan Maple Leafs drew to within a half game of the second-place Regina Red Sox as sparkling pitching performances gave them a twin-bill sweep , 4 - 0 and 5 - 3, over the Moose Jaw Steelers. Merv Sanderson gave up eight scattered hits in pitching the first game shut-out victory for Estevan. The Maple Leafs drove Moose Jaw starter and loser Paul Longmore from the mound in the 2nd inning. Lyle Thompson and Harold Schnell both had a double and single to lead the winners. Dennis Williams had three singles and Joe Foord two for Moose Jaw.

Longmore (L) , Bell (2) and Foord
Sanderson (W) and Kreuger

Moose Jaw had only three hits in the evening encounter. Lee Swanson took over from Gordie McDonald in the 6th but couldn't hold the lead, giving up three runs to the Steelers in the 7th. The Maple Leafs came back with a pair in the 8th, however, to hang the defeat on Wayne LeBere. Swanson picked up the win, singling in the winning run. Gord Hamill of Estevan was the only player in the game to get two hits.

Bell, LeBere (L) (5) and Foord
McDonald, Swanson (W) (6) and Kreuger

(June 11) The Regina Red Sox maintained their hold on second place in the Southern League as they weathered a five-run uprising by the Notre Dame Hounds in the 9th inning to take a 9 - 7 decision. Shortstop Lionel Ruhr's second home run of the season meant a 6th straight victory for Regina. Ruhr connected off reliever Jerry Hildebrand with the bases full in the 8th inning to cap a 5-run rally. Veteran Vic Wall, out of the bullpen, choked off a 9th inning comeback by the Hounds to save the victory for Red Sox' starter Ken Holcomb. Notre Dame starter Jim Jankowich was the loser. Ruhr had a triple and single to go along with his homer and Ken McEachern drove out three singles and a double. Art Sorenson slapped a triple and a pair of singles for the Collegians.

Holcomb (W), Wall (9) and McNabb, Gordon (9)
Jankowich (L), Hildebrand (8) and Saucier

(June 11) The Swift Current Indians survived an early 3 - 0 deficit to pull away from the Balcarres Braves and triumphed 15 - 10 in the finale of a weekend series. The Indians roared back with nine 2nd inning runs to send Balcarres starter and loser Bill Warsey scrambling for cover. Denny Weston received credit for the victory, pitching the first six innings for the Tribe. Terry Burns clouted a home run for Swift Current while Stu Millard and Marv Martinson connected for doubles. Barry Trapp had a homer and double for the Braves while John Walker and Mel Harrison slammed triples.

Warsey (L), Czemeres (2) and Ross, McIsaac (7)
Weston (W), Pederson (7) and Millard

Standings as of June 12
Swift Current Indians         5 - 0 1.000
Regina Red Sox                6 - 1 .857
Estevan Maple Leafs           5 - 1 .834
Notre Dame Hounds             2 - 3 .400
Moose Jaw Steelers            3 - 6 .333
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 0 - 4 .000
Balcarres Braves              0 - 6 .000

(June 15) Grim determination kept the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians in contention for 6 1/2 innings but, in the bottom of the 7th, their defenses crumbled and the Regina Red Sox jumped at the opportunity, scoring four times and then adding another four in the 8th, to put their 7th straight Southern League victory in the bank, 15 - 3. Red Sox' southpaw Vic Wall was well in control, spacing 9 hits for the win. Norm Goodwill pitched the first three innings for the Sioux and was tagged with the loss. Lionel Ruhr punched out a single, double and triple for the Sox, Morris McNabb a triple and two singles, Ed Prosofsky three singles, Denny Cochrane a double and single and Wall two singles.

N. Goodwill (L), Houk (4) and E. Goodwill
Wall (W) and McNabb

(June 16) The Estevan Maple Leafs pulled out all the stops as they clobbered the Notre Dame Hounds 18 - 5 in a Southern League tilt. The Maple Leafs sprayed 21 hits to all corners of the field as they mercilessly attacked three Notre Dame hurlers. The victory was the 3rd straight for Estevan and put them within a half game of the Regina Red Sox who occupy second place. The loss dropped the Hounds into a tie for 4th place with the Moose Jaw Steelers. The Maple Leafs wasted little time in getting to Notre Dame starter and loser Jim Jankowich, scoring three in the 1st and five in the 3rd. Merv Sanderson, working the hill for the first six innings, picked up the win. Harold Schnell led the Estevan offensive barrage with a double and three singles. Ron and Gary McKechney each had three singles. Ed Bearss and Bernie Saucier rapped doubles for the Dogs.

Jankowich (L), Carr (4), Hildebrand (8) and Saucier
Sanderson (W), McDonald (7) and Kreuger, Hamill (7)

(June 17) The Regina Red Sox moved into first place in the Southern League by pasting the previously unbeaten Swift Current Indians 11 - 1 in the opener of their weekend series. Ten errors by the Indians were a major factor in their demise. Regina's Ken Holcomb was at his best, as well, limiting the Tribe to seven hits. Harvey Pederson was hit with the loss. Lionel Ruhr had two singles and a triple for the Red Stockings while Luke Moser, Charlie Mang and Brian Dutkowski each had a double and single. Stu Millard with a double and two singles led Swift Current at bat.

Holcomb (W) and McNabb
Pederson (L) and Johnson, Millard (2)

(June 17) The Balcarres Braves finally broke into the win column, scoring twice in the bottom of the 9th to edge the Moose Jaw Steelers 7 - 6. Balcarres' Keith Czemeres gave up 13 hits but hung on in the clutch to help the Braves get their first win of the year. The defeat was nailed on Ray Nutzhorn, the third Moose Jaw pitcher, who took over in the 8th. Ivan Gurski had three singles and Barry Trapp two singles for the Warriors who put together 15 base raps. George Hunchuk slammed three singles and a double and Nutzhorn three singles for the Steelmen. Moose Jaw's Murray Jenkins homered.

Mandzuk, Wasley (6), Nutzhorn (L) (8) and Hunchuk
Czemeres (W) and Ross

(June 17) The Notre Dame Hounds topped the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 11 - 5 as Hounds' chucker Jerry Hildebrand fired eight innings of hitless ball. He gave up all four Sioux hits in the opening frame and then shut the door for the rest of the match. Norm Goodwill went the distance for Fort Qu'Appelle in taking the loss. Leading the collegians' 14-hit offense were Denny Messier with three singles, Richie Dukes with a pair of singles and a double and Jerry Norick with two singles.

N. Goodwill (L) and E. Goodwill
Hildebrand (W) and Saucier

(June 18) The Swift Current Indians rebounded from their initial setback of the season by pushing across a run in the bottom of the 10th inning to take down the Regina Red Sox 4 - 3. The victory vaulted the Tribe past the Red Sox and into a first place tie with the idle Estevan Maple Leafs. Swift Current's Jackie McLeod pitched his first complete game of the year for the victory. Clint Cory's squeeze bunt in the extra frame plated Stu Millard with the winning tally. Millard, who had a pair of hits for the Indians, had led off the 10th with a single off the slants of loser Al Ash. Gord Johnson hammered a solo homer for the Tribe. Ed Prosofsky, who had a double and single, was the main offensive threat for Regina.

Ash (L), Floyd (10) and McNabb
McLeod (W) and Johnson

(June 20) A 13-hit attack against southpaw pitcher Hugh Carr carried the Regina Red Sox to a 10 - 4 victory over the Notre Dame Hounds. Regina's Arnie Floyd went all the way for the mound triumph. First baseman Ed Prosofsky had a two-run homer for the Sox and outfielder Bob Davis had a three-run inside-the-park shot in the 8th which put put the game out of reach for the Hounds. Davis had two singles to go along with his homer. Prosofsky added a single with his. Luke Moser and Morris McNabb had a brace of one-baggers each. Eddie Bearss rapped a triple and single and Denny Messier a double and single for Notre Dame. Losing pitcher Carr singled twice.

Carr (L) and Saucier
Floyd (W) and McNabb

(June 20) The Swift Current Indians rallied for two runs in the 9th inning to come from behind and get a 4 - 4 tie with the Moose Jaw Steelers. The game was called after 9 innings because of darkness. Swift Current pitchers Denny Weston and Harvey Pederson gave up only two hits between them but the Indians still found themselves on the short end of a 4 - 2 count entering the 9th. Fred Hansen started the Indians' comeback coaxing a lead-off walk and eventually scoring on Stu Millard's double. Millard then scored the tying run when Terry Burns' outfield shot was booted. Mike Dayne, returning as player-manager for the Steelers, made his first appearance of the season in a 9th inning relief role. Millard and Gord Johnson had a double and single each for Swift Current while Clint Cory had two singles.

Weston, Pederson (5) and Johnson
LeBere, Blaisdell (8), Dayne (9) and Hunchuk

(June 21) The Balcarres Braves moved to within a game of the 4th place Notre Dame Hounds with an 8 - 3 victory over the winless Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Jerry Walker cracked a three-run homer in the 1st inning to get the Braves off on the fast track to victory. Richard Goodpipe slammed a home run for the Sioux. Bill Warsey, in relief of Keith Czemeres, got the pitching win. Former Brave, Art Obey, went the route for Fort Qu'Appelle and took the loss. Walker had a single to go along with his homer. Barry Trapp had three singles for Balcarres. Obey singled twice for the Sioux crew.

Czemeres, Warsey (W) (3) and Ross
Obey (L) and E. Goodwill

(June 22) Paul Longmore's fine six-hit mound performance, combined with a 15-hit attack, gave the Moose Jaw Steelers a lop-sided 19 - 2 win over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians in a Southern League contest called after seven innings due to darkness. The Steelers scored in every inning except the 3rd and were easy victors over the Sioux and loser Lorne Houk. George Hunchuk was the Steelers' big gun as he hammered a double and two singles. Dennis Williams ripped two doubles, Mike Dayne three singles and Longmore a pair.

Longmore (W) and Hunchuk
Houk (L) and Yuzicapi

(June 23) The Regina Red Sox dropped a 7 - 6 decision to the Moose Jaw Steelers before 1,500 fans at Taylor Field. Dick Mandzuk, the second of three Moose Jaw pitchers, picked up the win over Regina starter Ken Holcomb. The Red Sox out-hit the Steelers 13 - 8. Ray Nutzhorn led the winners with a double and two singles and Terry Wasley slammed a triple and single. Ed Prosofsky and Morris McNabb both bagged a brace of singles and a double for the Redlegs while Ed Stefureak came in with a trio of one-baggers.

Blaisdell, Mandzuk (W) (5), LeBere (7) and Foord, Hunchuk (6)
Holcomb (L), Wall (7) and McNabb

(June 24) The Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians recorded their first triumph of the season in splitting a doubleheader with the Swift Current Indians, taking the seven-inning opener 3 - 2 and then dropping the nightcap 4 - 1. Lorne Houk handcuffed Swift Current on seven hits as Fort Qu'Appelle broke an eight-game losing streak in winning the first game. Mel Humble was almost as effective for the Tribe but blew a tire in the final frame when he walked pinch-hitter Richard Goodpipe with the bases loaded to force in the winning run.

Humble (L) and Johnson
Houk (W) and E. Goodwill

Denny Weston spun a four-hitter as Speedy Creek rebounded to take the second tilt. Losing pitcher Norm Goodwill did his best to get Fort Qu'Appelle in gear, belting two doubles and a single on his own behalf. Fred Hansen had a double and single for the winning Tribe.

Weston (W) and Johnson
N. Goodwill (L) and E. Goodwill

(June 25) The Estevan Maple Leafs and Regina Red Sox exchanged 3 - 2 wins in a twin-bill and, by doing so, the Leafs moved ahead of the Swift Current Indians into first place in the Southern League. The Red Sox held the lead momentarily during the day, winning the opener, but the Leafs snatched it back less than three hours later as they squeezed out an 11-inning triumph. Arnie Floyd picked up the seven-inning first game victory, relieving Regina starter Al Ash in the 4th with the score deadlocked, and blanked Estevan the rest of the way. Gary McKechney was the loser.

Ash, Floyd (W) (4) and McNabb
G. McKechney (L), McDonald (7) and Hamill

Floyd worked the entire second game for Regina but lost it when Nasie Schnell banged out a run-scoring double in the 2nd extra-frame to win it for Merv Sanderson. Red Sox' outfielder Bob Davis had a home run against his former mates.

Floyd (L) and McNabb
Sanderson (W) and Kreuger

(June 25) The Notre Dame Hounds packed all their scoring into two innings as they defeated the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 11 - 3. They jumped on starter Art Obey for four runs in the 1st inning and seven more in the 3rd. Jim Jankowich gave up five hits in notching the win. Eddie Bearss led the Hounds with the bat, knocking out three doubles. Hugh Huck and Bernie Saucier each slammed a double and single while Jim Lyons, Richie Dukes and Jerry Norick all had a brace of singles.

Obey (L), Goodpipe (4) and E. Goodwill
Jankowich (W) and Saucier

(June 25) The Swift Current Indians found themselves bounced from the top of the Southern League down to third as they suffered a doubleheader loss to the Balcarres Braves, being blanked 2 - 0 in the opener while taking it on the chin 13 - 9 in the second encounter. Newcomer Doug Modrell of the Braves scattered five hits, struck out seven and didn't issue a walk as he shut-out the Indians in the matinee event. Harvey Pederson pitched a four-hitter for Swift Current but it just wasn't good enough. Ivan Gerski's 2nd inning double scored the initial run of the game, all that Modrell would need.

Pederson (L) and Johnson
Modrell (W) and Ross

The Braves routed Swift Current starter and loser Jackie McLeod and two relievers in the 1st inning of game two, pushing across seven runs. By the 6th, Balcarres had moved in front 12 - 0. Gord Sim lasted on the hill for the Warriors until the 8th and got the win. Jerry Walker paced the Braves' 17-hit attack with three doubles and a single. John Walker had a triple, double and single and Alex Lypka a double and single. Jerry Ranger was the chief threat for the Tribe, rapping two singles.

McLeod (L), Burns (1), Ranger (1), McLeod (4) and Johnson
Sim (W), Czemeres (8), Modrell (9) and Ross

(June 27) The Regina Red Sox dropped the Notre Dame Hounds 21 - 11 for their 4th win this season over the collegians. The Hounds drove lefty starter Vic Wall from the mound in the 2nd frame but Ron Vandale, who played last season with the Moose Jaw Steelers, came in as a fireman and pitched the remainder of the game for the win. Loser Jerry Hildebrand was bounced from the hill in the 5th. Lionel Ruhr paced the Regina batters with two singles and a double. Brian Dutkowski had a double and single with Ed Stefureak and Wayne (Charlie) Mang lacing two singles each. Jim Lyons had three singles for Notre Dame. Art Sorenson had a triple and single, Richie Dukes a double and single and Denny Messier two singles.

Wall, Vandale (W) (2) and Gordon, Bachiu (3)
Hildebrand (L), Bearss (5) and Saucier

(June 28) The Moose Jaw Steelers, dwellers in the lower realm of the Southern League for most of the early season, seem to have now found their stride as they picked up their 3rd win in a row by dropping the Swift Current Indians 5 - 1. The Steelers knocked Indians' starter and loser John Alexander from the mound with four runs in the first two innings and coasted home on the six-hit southpaw slants of Wayne LeBere. The Moose Jaw portsider also hit a bases-empty home run. Dennis Williams had a brace of singles for the Steelmen. Terry Burns had a three-bagger for the Frontier City contingent.

LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
Alexander (L), Pederson (3) and Johnson

(June 28) The Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians scored their second victory of the campaign, stopping the Balcarres Braves 9 - 8 in 11 innings. Balcarres twice held leads over Fort Qu'Appelle but couldn't hold them. Winning chucker Richard Goodpipe romped home from third base with the winning run as the Braves had no play on a slow infield roller in the second extra-frame. Doug Modrell took the 11-inning loss. For the winners, Elmer Goodwill had two doubles and a single and Norm Goodwill a double and single. Mel Harrison slammed a triple and single for Balcarres and John Walker contributed two singles.

Modrell (L) and Ross
N. Goodwill, Goodpipe (W) (9) and E. Goodwill

(June 29) Wally Blaisdell hurled a two-hitter as the Moose Jaw Steelers blanked the Regina Red Sox 3 - 0. Steeler batters managed 10 hits off loser Al Ash who went the route. Shortstop Lionel Ruhr had both hits off Blaisdell, a pair of singles. Murray Jenkins and Ray Nutzhorn were the top batters for the Steelers, each hitting a double and single. Dave Hornichuk had a pair of one-baggers.

Ash (L) and Bachiu
Blaisdell (W) and Foord, Hunchuk (6)

(July 2) The Estevan Maple Leafs maintained their percentage-point lead over the Regina Red Sox by splitting a doubleheader with the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians, dropping the opener 9 - 7 and then bouncing back to take the second game 9 - 3. Fort Qu'Appelle scored five runs in the 4th inning to overcome a 6 - 4 deficit to take the matinee. Gerry Wenman, the second of three chuckers, was credited with the win. Lee Swanson was charged with the defeat. Duane Ring had two singles for the winners. Norm Goodwill and Duane DeCorby both doubled. Gary McKechney smashed two doubles and Harold Schnell two singles for the Leafs.

Goodpipe, Wenman (W) (3), Obey (6) and E. Goodwill
Sanderson, Swanson (L) (3) and Kraychy

The Leafs tallied two runs in each of the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 8th innings to handily take the nightcap. Estevan's Gord McDonald got the pitching victory over Art Obey and helped his own cause by hitting three singles. Gord Hamill and Harold Schnell each had a pair. Ivan Mizinski hit a three-bagger and single for the Indians. Richard Goodpipe connected for two doubles and Duane DeCorby and Duane Ring two singles each.

Obey (L) and E. Goodwill
McDonald (W) and Hamill

(July 2) The Notre Dame Hounds took the measure of the Balcarres Braves 8 - 4 as lefthander Hugh Carr earned the pitching verdict over the Braves' Doug Modrell. Bernie Saucier had three singles for Notre Dame and Frank Germann had two. Jerry Walker smashed a two-run homer for Balcarres, Modrell doubled and singled and Barry Trapp singled twice.

Carr (W), Townsend (6) and Saucier
Modrell (L) and McIsaac, Jackson (2)

(July 4) The Moose Jaw Steelers spotted the Notre Dame Hounds five runs in the 1st inning but came bouncing right back for a 7 - 6 Southern League victory. Not one of the Moose Jaw runs was of the earned variety as the Notre Dame defense crumbled behind Jim Jankowich and reliever Hugh Carr who was hit with the loss. The Steelers threw four chuckers at the Hounds to pull out the triumph. Wally Blaisdell, who stepped on the mound beginning the 6th, got the win. Blaisdell and Mike Dayne both had a pair of singles for the Steelmen. Eddie Bearss had a brace of two-baggers for the Dogs while Frank Germann had a double and single.

Jankowich, Carr (L) (6), Hildeband (8) and Saucier
LeBere, Bell (3), Mandzuk (5), Blaisdell (W) (6) and Foord, Hunchuk (7)

(July 5) The Swift Current Indians exploded for three runs in the top half of the 7th inning to squeeze out a 5 - 4 victory over the Regina Red Sox in the first game of a doubleheader at Taylor Field. They wilted in the second contest, however, as the angry Sox came back fighting for a 7 - 2 win. Jackie McLeod successfully squeezed home Roy Knipfel with the winning run for Swift Current in the seven-inning opener, making a winner out of Harvey Pederson and dropping the loss on Ken Holcomb.

Weston, Pederson (W) (5) and Johnson
Holcomb (L), Floyd (7) and Bachiu

First game winner Pederson was rapped with the loss in the second encounter and never got out of the 1st inning. Al Ash, with relief help from Arnie Floyd, picked up the win. Lionel Ruhr had cumulative totals of a triple and four singles to lead all batters in the two games. The Red Sox also announced that pitcher Chris Batley and infielder Fran Huck have been sent to the Notre Dame Hounds for the balance of this season.

Pederson (L), McLeod (1) and Johnson
Ash (W), Floyd (6) and Bachiu

(July 6) The Moose Jaw Steelers stretched their win streak to six as right-hander Dick Mandzuk hurled a two-hitter in taking down the Balcarres Braves 14 - 2. Starting pitcher Bill Warsey of the Braves was charged with the loss. Denny Williams and Wally Blaisdell both had two hits for Moose Jaw, one of Williams' being a double.

Warsey (L), Sim (3), Modrell (4) and Jackson
Mandzuk (W) and Foord

(July 7) The Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians bounced back from a 3 - 1 deficit to hand the Notre Dame Hounds a 6 - 3 setback. Lorne Houk, in a fireman's role, hurled scoreless ball after entering the game in the 4th to pick up the win. The loss was hung on Jim Jankowich who took over on the mound for Ed Bearss in the 2nd inning. Catcher Elmer Goodwill had two doubles and two singles for the winning Sioux crew. Jim Lyons belted a three-run homer to account for all the scoring by the Dogs.

Bearss, Jankowich (L) (2) and Saucier
Goodpipe, Houk (W) (4) and E. Goodwill

(July 8) The Estevan Maple Leafs stayed ahead of the pack in the Southern League by tripping the Swift Current Indians 7 - 3 in the opener of a weekend series in the Frontier City. The Indians stranded 15 runners, letting winning pitcher Merv Sanderson off the hook. Starting pitcher Denny Weston took the loss for Swift Current. Ron McKechney had a 1st inning home run and single for the Maple Leafs.

Sanderson (W) and Hamill
Weston (L), Pederson (3) and Johnson

(July 8) The Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians continued their upward climb as they defeated the Balcarres Braves 9 - 7 to move out of the Southern League cellar for the first time. Norm Goodwill pitched the complete game victory and also had a home run and double off loser Gord Sim. Richard Goodpipe and Duane Ring each had a double and single for the Fort. Doug Modrell slammed a bases-empty homer for Balcarres in the 5th. Duane Williams contributed two doubles for the Braves.

N. Goodwill (W) and E. Goodwill
Sim (L), Modrell (9) and John Walker

(July 9) The Estevan Maple Leafs tightened their grip on first place in the Southern League as they countered with six runs in the 7th inning for a come-from-behind 7 - 5 win over the host Swift Current Indians in the finale of a weekend set-to. Swift Current had built up a 3 - 0 lead over the first six innings but saw it wiped from the board in the 7th as Ron McKechney slammed a bases-loaded home run to cap a six-run outburst off loser Mel Humble. Estevan starter Al Swinehart received credit for the victory. McKechney also had a single and wound up with five RBI's for the afternoon. Terry Burns and Clint Cory were the main cogs in Swift Current's offensive arsenal as each connected for two doubles and a single.

Swinehart (W), McDonald (7) and Hamill
Humble (L), McLeod (7) and Johnson

(July 10) The bubble burst for the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians as a red-hot Regina Red Sox aggregation mauled the Sioux crew 22 - 3. Complete game winner Ron Vandale of the Red Sox was roughed up only once, in the 7th as the visitors plated three runs when the verdict was already well out of reach for the Fort. Lorne Houk was pasted with the loss. Lionel Ruhr slammed a double and two singles to lead the Red Sox at the plate. Ed Prosofsky had a double and single with Ed Stefureak and Vandale stroking two singles apiece. Bill Seymour had a triple and single for Fort Qu'Appelle. Teammate Elmer Goodwill singled twice.

Houk (L), Goodpipe (6), DeCorby (8) and E. Goodwill
Vandale (W) and Gordon

(July 11) The Moose Jaw Steelers went ahead 2 - 1 in the 1st inning and never looked back as they won their 7th straight league game with a 5 - 2 victory over the Regina Red Sox. Right-hander Wally Blaisdell scattered eight hits to pick up the win over Crimson Hose starter Arnie Floyd. Lorne Humphreys, Murray Smail and Blaisdell each singled twice to lead the Steeler attack. Ed Prosofsky with two doubles and Lionel Ruhr with a double and single were tops at the dish for the Redlegs.

Floyd (L), Ash (2) and Bachiu
Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk

Southern League Standings as of July 12
Estevan Maple Leafs           10 -  3 .769
Regina Red Sox                13 -  7 .650
Moose Jaw Steelers            10 -  7 .588
Swift Current Indians          8 -  8 .500
Notre Dame Hounds              5 -  8 .385
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians  5 - 12 .294
Balcarres Braves               4 - 10 .286

(July 13) In a game halted by darkness after 10 innings, the Notre Dame Hounds and Estevan Maple Leafs battled to a 7 - 7 draw. Both teams stroked 11 hits. Jerry Hildeband pitched all 11 frames for Notre Dame while Estevan used two hurlers. Richie Dukes had two doubles for the Hounds while Hugh Huck and Jim Lyons both singled twice. Harold Schnell rapped a double and single and Dan Klippenstein and Gordie McDonald each had two singles for Estevan.

G. McKechney, Sanderson (8) and Hamill
Hildebrand and Saucier

(July 14) Jerry Walker's two-run double provided the margin of victory as the Balcarres Braves defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 2 in Southern League action. Notre Dame's Chris Batley, recently obtained from the Regina Red Sox, went just five innings and was hit with the loss. Doug Modrell went all the way for Balcarres with a six-hitter, fanning 10 along the way for the win. Alex Lypka and Duane Williams each had two singles for the Braves. Richie Dukes and Jim Lyons both hit safely twice for Notre Dame.

Modrell (W) and Ross
Batley (L), Carr (6) and Saucier

(July 14) Lionel Ruhr, peppery shortstop with the Regina Red Sox tops the Southern League in the individual batting race with a .435 percentage. He is also the leader in a number of other offensive categories.

Top Ten Batters
Lionel Ruhr (Regina Red Sox)               37 - 85 .435
Clint Cory (Swift Current Indians)         19 - 45 .422
Ed Bearss (Notre Dame Hounds)              16 - 38 .421
Stu Millard (Swift Current Indians)        27 - 72 .375
Duane Ring (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) 13 - 36 .361
Ron McKechney (Estevan Maple Leafs)        14 - 38 .359
Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Steelers)       23 - 65 .354
George Hunchuk (Moose Jaw Steelers)        13 - 37 .351
Richie Dukes (Notre Dame Hounds)           12 - 36 .333
Jim Wright (Swift Current Indians)         12 - 36 .333

At Bats - Ruhr - 85
Runs Scored - Ruhr - 32
Hits - Ruhr - 37
Doubles - Bearss - 8
Triples - Ruhr - 5
Home Runs - Ruhr, Ron McKechney, Denny Cochrane (Regina Red Sox), Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians), Bob Davis (Regina Red Sox), and Jerry Walker (Balcarres Braves) - all tied with 2

Pitching Leaders
Percentage - Merv Sanderson (Estevan Maple Leafs) 4 - 0 1.000
Strikeouts - Harvey Pederson (Swift Current Indians) - 36
Complete Games - Lorne Houk (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) - 4
Most Runs Surrendered - Houk - 54
Most Hits Given Up - Hugh Carr (Notre Dame Hounds) - 54
Most Appearances - Pederson - 11
Most Innings Pitched - Pederson - 55

(July 15) The Swift Current Indians took care of business and easily put away the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 7 - 1 in the opener of a two-game weekend joust. Harvey Pederson doled out four safeties for the victory. Clint Cory laced out three singles to lead Swift Current at the plate against loser Norm Goodwill. Gord Johnson and Terry Burns each contributed a double and single. Duane DeCorby had a pair of singles for the Sioux.

N. Goodwill (L) and E. Goodwill
Pederson (W) and Millard

(July 16) A great pitching performance by southpaw Tony Kram and some timely hitting by shortstop Barry Trapp gave the Balcarres Braves a 4 - 2 victory over the Estevan Maple Leafs in the first game of a double-dip. The Maple Leafs reversed things, and by the identical 4 - 2 margin, in the second encounter which stretched to 11 innings. Kram made his first start of the season for Balcarres a winning one, holding the Leafs to six safeties, fanning six and not issuing any walks. The Braves handed Estevan's pitching ace, Merv Sanderson, his first defeat of the season after winning four straight. Trapp's lead-off singles in the 4th and 5th both resulted in runs. Alex Lypka also singled twice for the Braves. Harold Schnell's single drove in both Estevan runs.

Sanderson (L) and Hamill
Kram (W) and Ross

Harold Schnell singled home two runs in the top of the 11th inning to win the nightcap for Gord McDonald who pitched superbly in a relief role. Bill Warsey of the Braves was the loser.

Wyant, McDonald (W) (7) and Hamill
Czemeres, Kram (5), Warsey (L) (11), Modrell (11) and Ross

(July 16) The Swift Current Indians completed a sweep of their weekend series with the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians by dumping the visitors 10 - 1. Denny Weston hurled the first six innings for Swift Current in breezing to the pitching victory. Loser Lorne Houk was knocked from the mound in the 6th. Fred Hansen and Gus Twamley both swatted three hits for the boys from the Frontier City, one of Hansen's being a two-bagger. Harv Pederson had a double and single. For the Sioux, Duane DeCorby, Duane Ring and Herb Strongeagle each connected for a brace of singles.

Houk (L), Goodpipe (6) and E. Goodwill
Weston (W), Humble (6) and Johnson

(July 17) The Notre Dame Hounds continued to be a thorn in the side of the Estevan Maple Leafs as they slipped by the league-leaders 2 - 1 in a replay of an earlier 7 - 7 tie. Al Swinehart pitched the whole game for Estevan and allowed only two hits but they were of the consecutive variety and, along with a walk, it was just enough to beat him. Eddie Bearss, on the hill for Notre Dame, gave up one more hit but one less run and that was sufficient for the win. Notre Dame scored twice in the 6th to break a scoreless deadlock. The Leafs tallied their only run in the 8th.

Swinehart (L) and H. Schnell
Bearss (W) and Saucier

(July 18) Chunky fastballer Cliff Mein, a newcomer to the Balcarres Braves, fired a three-hitter as the Braves shut-out the Regina Red Sox 2 - 0. Mein won a superb battle over Ken Holcomb, who toiled in noble fashion for the Red Sox, pitching a two-hitter and deserving a better fate as the two runs off him were unearned. The strikeout was Mein's biggest weapon as he ended many two-out potential scoring threats by sending Regina batters down on strikes. The Braves scored both of their runs in the 2nd inning without the aid of a single hit.

Mein (W) and Ross
Holcomb (L) and Bachiu

(July 18) The Moose Jaw Steelers won their 8th consecutive game as they took a decisive 13 - 2 verdict from the Notre Dame Hounds. The Steelers garnered 15 hits off three Notre Dame pitchers while complete game winner Dick Mandzuk allowed eight scattered singles. A big 9-run 2nd inning was all the Steelmen needed to put the game away and send Hounds' starter Chris Batley down to defeat. Mike Dayne was the big noise for Moose Jaw with a home run and three singles. Dennis Williams had three singles. Jim Lyons and Denny Messier were best for Notre Dame with two singles each.

Batley (L), Jankowich (2), Carr (7) and Saucier
Mandzuk (W) and Hunchuk

(July 19) The Regina Red Sox rode into first place in the Southern League as they took both ends of a doubleheader from the Estevan Maple Leafs. The Reginans won the seven-inning opener 2 - 0 as right-hander Al Ash spun a one-hitter and took the second 7 - 1 as Arnie Floyd doled out five hits. The twin wins shoved Regina past Estevan and into a 1 1/2 game lead over the Leafs and the Moose Jaw Steelers who are now tied for second spot. Lyle Thompson poked the only hit off Ash in the 4th inning of the matinee, dumping a bloop single into right field. Loser Gord McDonald almost matched Ash's performance. It was his misfortune that that two of the three hits he allowed were back-to-back and of the extra-base variety. Ash's double in the 3rd followed by Lionel Ruhr's triple gave the Sox their initial run. Larry Bachiu's sacrifice fly then plated Ruhr with the insurance run.

McDonald (L) and R. McKechney
Ash (W) and Bachiu

The follow-up match was tight until the Red Sox broke through for a pair in the 7th and three more in the 8th to give winner Arnie Floyd a comfortable working margin and send Estevan's Merv Sanderson down to defeat. The victory gave Floyd a season record of five wins and one loss, tops in the league. Lionel Ruhr with two triples, Larry Bachiu with a homer and single and Ed Prosofsky with a pair of singles led the Red Stockings in the batting department. Lyle Thompson poked out three singles for the Soo-Liners.

Sanderson (L) and R. McKechney
Floyd (W) and McNabb

(July 19) The Swift Current Indians defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 6 - 2 to close the ground on Estevan and Moose Jaw in the Southern League standings. The victory was the third straight for the Tribe after a string of losses that saw them plummet to the .500 level. Jackie McLeod scattered six hits in picking up the complete game win. Jerry Hildebrand worked the Notre Dame hill for the first five innings and took the loss. Gord Johnson homered for the Indians in the 5th. Jerry Ranger had a double. Hugh Huck was the top Notre Dame hitter with two singles.

McLeod (W) and Johnson
Hildebrand (L), Jankowich (6) and Saucier

(July 20) Denny Weston threw a four-hitter as the Swift Current Indians tamed the Notre Dame Hounds again, this time 8 - 1, to draw to within a handful of percentage points of second place in the Southern League. The Indians walloped 13 hits off Notre Dame pitching, all singles. They hung the loss on young Jerry Hildebrand for the second straight night. Roy Knipfel led the Swift Current attack with a 3 for 3 evening. Catcher Gord Johnson, first baseman Gus Twamley and shortstop Stu Millard each had a pair of singles.

Weston (W) and Johnson
Hildebrand (L), Carr (7) and Saucier

(July 21) Home runs by Larry Bachiu and Brian Dutkowski propelled the Regina Red Sox to a 7 - 2 verdict over the Balcarres Braves in a Southern League game. The Sox managed seven hits off loser Doug Modrell with five of them coming in the 5th inning when they scored six times. Regina's Ron Vandale limited the Braves to five safeties and was never really pressed in pitching the victory. Lionel Ruhr had a double and single while Bob Davis singled twice for the Redlegs. Modrell poked out a pair of singles for Balcarres.

Vandale (W) and McNabb
Modrell (L) and Ross

(July 22) The Estevan Maple Leafs out-slugged the Swift Current Indians 13 - 7, their 3rd straight triumph over the Tribe this season. Estevan unleashed a 15-hit barrage off loser Harvey Pederson to win the opener of this weekend series. Pederson was scored upon in every inning but the 1st. Shortstop Lyle Thompson led the assault as he slammed a home run and three singles. Harold Schnell rapped a double and two singles. Al Swinehart went the distance on the Estevan mound for the pitching win. Terry Burns and Roy Knipfel each stroked a pair of singles and a double for the Tribe while Fred Hansen singled twice.

Pederson (L) and Millard
Swinehart (W) and R. McKechney

(July 22) The Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians snapped the Moose Jaw Steelers' eight-game winning streak as Norm Goodwill twirled a four-hitter to take down the Steelmen 4 - 1. Shortstop Bill Seymour's three-run homer in the 4th off loser Wally Blaisdell, along with Goodwill's stellar chucking, sunk the Mill City crew.

Blaisdell (L), Bell (4) and Hunchuk
N. Goodwill (W) and E. Goodwill

(July 23) The Estevan Maple Leafs climbed to within a game of the front-running Regina Red Sox by taking down the Swift Current Indians 7 - 2. The win for Estevan was the fourth of the season over the Indians and the second straight of their weekend showdown. The Leafs pounded on Swift Current starter and loser Mel Humble for three runs in the 1st inning and routed him in the 2nd. Gord McDonald coasted through with a complete game six-hitter to pick up the win. Gary McKechney had a double and single for the Maple Leafs. Terry Burns duplicated his feat for the Tribe as did playing-manager Jackie McLeod.

Humble (L), Ranger (2) and Millard
McDonald (W) and R. McKechney

(July 24) The Regina Red Sox took a firmer grip on first place in the Southern League by defeating the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 12 - 6. The victory put Regina 1 1/2 games ahead of second-place Estevan. Lionel Ruhr, the Southern League's leading hitter, led the 18-hit Regina attack on three Sioux chuckers. Ruhr slammed three singles and a double. Ed Stefureak, Luke Moser, Ed Prosofsky and Ken McEachern each hit a double and single. Both starters were the pitchers of record, Ron Vandale picking up the win and Norm Goodwill being hit with the loss. Duane Ring, the leading batsman over the season for Fort Qu'Appelle, drilled a three-bagger and double.

Vandale (W), Floyd (6) and McNabb
N. Goodwill (L), Gelowitz (6), Spanier (7) and E. Goodwill

(July 24) Lionel Ruhr of the Regina Red Sox continues to lead in the Southern League individual batting race as per the latest statistics released today.

Top Ten Batters
Lionel Ruhr (Regina Red Sox)               41 - 98 .418
Clint Cory (Swift Current Indians)         24 - 63 .381
Ed Bearss (Notre Dame Hounds)              17 - 46 .370
Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Steelers)       27 - 74 .365
Duane Ring (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) 19 - 53 .358
George Hunchuk (Moose Jaw Steelers)        15 - 45 .333
Stu Millard (Swift Current Indians)        30 - 95 .323
Ed Prosofsky (Regina Red Sox)              19 - 59 .322
Ray Nutzhorn (Moose Jaw Steelers)          21 - 66 .318
Morris McNabb (Regina Red Sox)             22 - 70 .314
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Steelers)       22 - 70 .314

At Bats - Ruhr - 98
Runs Scored - Ruhr - 36
Hits - Ruhr - 41
Doubles - Bearss - 8
Triples - Ruhr - 6
Home Runs - Ruhr, Denny Cochrane (Regina Red Sox), Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians), Ron McKechney (Estevan Maple Leafs), Bob Davis (Regina Red Sox) and Jerry Walker (Balcarres Braves) - all tied with 2

Pitching Leaders
Percentage - Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) and Gord McDonald (Estevan Maple Leafs) 4 - 1 .800
Innings Pitched - Harvey Pederson (Swift Current Indians) - 64
Strikeouts - Pederson and Ken Holcomb (Regina Red Sox) - tied with 40
Wins - Arnie Floyd (Regina Red Sox - 5
Complete Games - Floyd, Pederson, Lorne Houk (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) and Norm Goodwill (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) - all tied with 4

(July 25) The Swift Current Indians maintained their mastery over the Moose Jaw Steelers as they pushed across two runs in the 9th inning for a 6 - 4 Southern League victory. The Swift Current win leap-frogged them over Moose Jaw into third place. Jackie McLeod won his 5th game of the season as he scattered 11 Moose Jaw hits. Loser Wayne LeBere actually topped McLeod's performance, tossing a six-hitter, but defensive mistakes cost him four big runs. Tied 4 - 4 entering the 9th, the Steelers' defense split at the seams. Clint Cory was Swift Current's top hitter with a homer and single. Denny Williams was best at the dish for Moose Jaw with a double and two singles. Murray Jenkins and Lorne Humphreys both had a brace of base knocks, one of Jenkins' being a two-bagger.

McLeod (W) and Johnson
LeBere (L) and Foord

(July 26) The Regina Red Sox hammered starter and loser Harvey Pederson and reliever Denny Weston for seven runs in the first two innings as they hung on for a 10 - 6 victory over the Swift Current Indians. The win moved the Red Sox two full games in front of the Estevan Maple Leafs. The Indians chipped away at winning pitcher Al Ash consistently but, although mustering 11 hits, they couldn't come up with the big inning needed to overcome the early deficit. Ed Prosofsky had a three-run homer for the Sox which got them off on the right foot in the initial frame. He later added two singles. Luke Moser kicked in with a double and single while Lionel Ruhr and Ed Stefureak each singled twice. Third baseman Clint Cory came up with a trio of singles to lead Swift Current hitters. Playing-manager Jackie McLeod added a brace of one-baggers.

Ash (W) and Bachiu
Pederson (L), Weston (2) and Johnson

(July 28) The Balcarres Braves faint hopes of securing a Southern League playoff berth suffered another severe jolt as they dropped a 2 - 0 decision to the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Richard Goodpipe throttled the Braves on five hits in hurling his first complete game of the season. Balcarres' Jerry Walker, making his debut as a chucker, matched Goodpipe's five-hitter but control problems were his undoing. Walker was the only player on either roster to get more than one hit as he singled twice.

Goodpipe (W) and Yuzicapi
Jerry Walker (L), Modrell (7) and Ross

(July 29) The Swift Current Indians got past the Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 3 in the opener of their weekend series. The Indians fell behind 3 - 0 early but gradually crept closer and won it scoring three runs in the 5th when catcher Gord Johnson doubled home a pair. Harvey Pederson scattered four hits, one a homer by Jim Lyons, to gain his 4th win of the season. Jim Jankowich was touched for eight hits in taking the loss. Clint Cory had a bases-empty circuit-blast for the Tribe.

Jankowich (L) and Bearss
Pederson (W) and Johnson

(July 30) The Estevan Maple Leafs pulled to within a game of the lead in the Southern League by sweeping both ends of a doubleheader, 2 - 1 in 12 innings and 4 - 3 in the regulation nine, from the Balcarres Braves. In the marathon first game, Balcarres' pitcher Tony Kram booted the ball when fielding Lyle Thompson's squeeze bunt allowing Jackie Harbourne to scoot home with the winner in the 3rd extra frame. Merv Sanderson doled out only four hits, one being a home run by Jerry Walker, for the pitching win. Thompson had a triple and single for Estevan.

Kram (L) and Ross
Sanderson (W) and R. McKechney

Harold Schnell socked a two-run homer in the 8th inning of the finale off loser Doug Modrell to win the game for Al Swinehart. Both chuckers went the route and each gave up 8 hits.

Modrell (L) and Ross
Swinehart (W) and R. McKechney

(July 30) The Swift Current Indians took over third place in the Southern League as they tripped the Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 7 to sweep their weekend series. The Indians moved into a big lead early in the contest, driving Hugh Carr from the hill. Swift Current starter Jerry Ranger was belted from the slab in the 6th but still managed the pitching win. Gord Johnson and Gus Twamley each hit three singles for the Tribe while Clint Cory singled twice. Richie Dukes led Notre Dame's offense with a brace of singles and a double. Jerry Norick and Denny Messier both singled twice.

Carr (L), Jankowich (3) and Bearss
Ranger (W), Hansen (6), McLeod (6) and Johnson

(July 31) Denny Cochrane's broken-bat infield squibbler drove in Morris McNabb with the winning tally in the bottom of the 9th as the Regina Red Sox broke lefthander Wayne LeBere's heart in escaping with a 4 - 3 decision over the Moose Jaw Steelers. The win put Regina within one game of the league pennant. Al Ash gained credit for the win, relieving starter Ron Vandale in the 2nd frame. LeBere went the distance for Moose Jaw but, after retiring the first two batters in the 9th, gave up a three-bagger to McNabb, setting the stage for Cochrane's broken-bat infield single which he narrowly beat out. Ed Stefureak of the Red Sox and Moose Jaw's Mike Dayne were the only multi-hit players, both singling twice.

LeBere (L) and Hunchuk
Vandale, Ash (W) (2) and McNabb

(August 1) The Notre Dame Hounds squeezed out a 6 - 5 decision over the Balcarres Braves as southpaw starter Hugh Carr got the win over Balcarres reliever Doug Modrell. Denny Messier led the Hounds with the stick, hitting a double and single. Jerry Walker slammed a three-run homer for the Braves and Ivan Gurski doubled twice.

Carr (W), Jankowich (7) and Doetzel
Warsey, Modrell (L) (4) and Ross

(August 1) The Moose Jaw Steelers scored in every inning, and came through with four double plays, to back up right-hander Bob Bell's seven-hitter as they doubled the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 10 - 5 in a seven-inning contest, halted by darkness. Fort Qu'Appelle starter Richard Goodpipe, who was chased in the 5th, was saddled with the loss. Dave Hornichuk with a double and single and catcher Joe Foord with two singles led the Steelers offense. Bill Seymour was the top hitter for the Sioux crew with a double and two singles.

Goodpipe (L), Houk (5) and E. Goodwill
Bell (W) and Foord

(August 2) The Swift Current Indians exploded for three runs in the 6th inning and four more in the 7th to pull out a 10 - 9 victory over the Moose Jaw Steelers. The Steelers pulverized Swift Current pitching for seven runs in just three innings to take a 7 - 3 lead but, except for scoring twice in the 8th and final frame, their hitting faltered as the game progressed. Denny Weston, pitching the middle innings in relief, got credit for the Indians' pitching win and also contributed with the bat, belting a three-run homer for the Tribe. Wayne LeBere, who gave up the winning runs in the 7th, took the loss. Gus Twamley rapped three singles for the Indians while Terry Burns, Jackie McLeod, Fred Hansen and Stu Millard each had a pair. Ray Nutzhorn unloaded a three-run circuit shot for the Steelers and also added two singles. Teammate Dave Hornichuk singled twice.

Dayne, LeBere (L) (6), Nutzhorn (7) and Hunchuk
Pederson, Weston (W) (2), McLeod (8) and Johnson, Millard (3)

(August 3) The Regina Red Sox clinched the Southern League pennant with a well-earned 4 - 2 win over the Moose Jaw Steelers. Led by Ed Stefureak with two doubles and Morris McNabb with a pair of singles, the Red Sox out-hit their opponents 7 - 6 in this tightly contested battle. Mike Dayne was the leading Moose Jaw hitter with two singles. Starters Arnie Floyd and Dick Mandzuk were the pitchers of record as Floyd emerged with the win over the Moose Jaw right-hander.

Floyd (W), Ash (9) and McNabb
Mandzuk (L), Nutzhorn (9) and Hunchuk

(August 4) The Notre Dame Hounds jolted Fort Qu'Appelle starting pitcher Richard Goodpipe for seven 1st inning runs and survived a late-inning rally by the Sioux crew to take a six-inning, darkness-shortened slugfest from the Indians by an 11 - 7 count. The loss locked Fort Qu'Appelle in the basement for the season while Notre Dame moved into 5th spot in the Southern circuit. Jim Jankowich went the distance for the Hounds to pick up the win while Goodpipe took the loss. Art Sorenson hit a double and single for the Dogs. Jerry Norick and Jim Lyons each had two singles. Bill Seymour drilled a grand-slam homer for Fort Qu'Appelle.

Jankowich (W) and Doetzel
Goodpipe (L), Gelowitz (2) and E. Goodwill

(August 5) The Moose Jaw Steelers lambasted the Estevan Maple Leafs twice, by scores of 17 - 2 and 21 - 3, to sweep a doubleheader and move to within a game of the 3rd place Swift Current Indians. The Steelers roared out of the gate and had a 14 - 2 lead after four innings in the opener. Mike Dayne picked up the win over Dan Klippenstein.

Klippenstein (L), Harbourne (1), Peterson (4) and R. McKechney
Wasley, Dayne (W) (1) and Foord

Lefty Ray Nutzhorn gave up 11 hits in the second game but was tight in the clutch. Dave Hornichuk and Murray Jenkins both slammed two doubles and two singles for Moose Jaw. Dennis Williams followed with two doubles and a single. Bob Peterson was the loser.

Peterson (L), H. Schnell (3), R. McKechney (8) and R. McKechney, Peterson (6)
Nutzhorn (W) and Hunchuk

(August 6) The Moose Jaw Steelers closed out the Southern League schedule in a rush by dropping the Swift Current Indians 15 - 2 in a replay of a tie game of July 13. The win tied the Steelers for third spot with the Indians and set up a sudden-death play-off game between the two. Lefty Wayne LeBere went all the way for the win. Indians' starter Mel Humble was pounded off the hill in the 2nd in taking the loss. Dennis Williams was the top man for the Steelers at bat with a double and two singles. Jackie McLeod was the only batter from the Tribe to get two hits, both singles.

Humble (L), McLeod (2), Burns (8) and Johnson
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk

(August 9) The Moose Jaw Steelers and Swift Current Indians fought to a 10 - 10 deadlock in a game that was supposed to be a sudden-death affair to settle third place in the Southern League. The game ended after eight innings when darkness enveloped the skies. The Steelers out-hit the Indians 10 - 9 yet the Tribe led most of the way. Each time Swift Current went ahead, Moose Jaw would rebound. Gord Johnson slammed a two-run homer for Swift Current. Fred Hansen had three singles. Murray Jenkins and Dave Hornichuk each had a double and single for Moose Jaw.

Weston, Pederson (7), Burns (8) and Johnson
Blaisdell, Mandzuk (5), LeBere (7) and Hunchuk

(August 10)   In a sudden-death playoff Thursday, Moose Jaw Steelers captured third place in the Southern League standings with a 7-4 win over Swift Current.  The first game ended in a 10-10 tie on Wednesday.  Dennis Williams had a single in the first inning and a homer in the second but was ejected in the 2nd frame for arguing a decision.  Dave Hornichuk added a homer and single.  Murray Jenkins and Terry Wasley each had a double and single as the Steelers pounded out 16 hits.  Ray Nutzhorn and playing-manager Mike Dayne each had two singles.  Gus Twamley had two hits for the Indians. Swift Current now meets the pennant-winning Regina Red Sox in one semi-final while the Steelers take on the second-place Estevan Maple Leafs in the other.

Mandzuk, Nutzhorn (W) (5) and Hunchuk
Pederson, McLeod  (L) (2), Burns (7) and Johnson

1961 Final Standings
Regina Red Sox               20 -  8 .714
Estevan Maple Leafs          15 -  9 .652
Moose Jaw Steelers           17 - 12 .586
Swift Current Indians        16 - 13 .552
Notre Dame Hounds             8 - 15 .349
Balcarres Braves              7 - 16 .304
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 7 - 17 .292

(August 11)    In a piece in the Regina Leader-Post, Doug Millroy made his picks as the best of the Southern League.

" . . . Here is an all-star squad on which everyone can agree -- my version of the best on this summer's play. I have always had a tendency to lean towards power and it was a determining factor in these selections.  However, there was also an effort made to coordinate it with a tight defence.

Two players weren't picked for each position, but rather a team was put together to conform with the Southern League's limit of 20 players on the roster after July 4.

There are two catchers, seven infielders, five outfielders and six pitchers.

. . .  Behind the plate squats Morris McNabb of Regina, with George Hunchuk of Moose Jaw in reserve.  McNabb was picked for his long-ball belting and Hunchuk for his lofty average.  Although not the greatest pair defensively, they will get the job done.

Ed Prosofosky of Regina has no competition at first base as he combined hitting and fielding for a consistent performance.  Gus Twamley of Swift Current played errorless play but didn't produce at the plate.

Ron McKechney of Estevan, although forced into catching duty near the end of the season, is the choice for second. Clint Cory of Swift Current, who was runnerup in the batting race most of the season, find his place at third. No great star defensively, he would need reserve strength to back him up.

Lionel Ruhr, the league's leading hitter, has to be the shortstop.   The pepper-pot of the Regina squad would also get the vote as the league's most valuable player as his inspired play was a key factor in Regina's first-place finish.

THE RESERVES

Dennis Williams, Moose Jaw shortstop, both handy in the field and with the stick, and Luke Moser, Regina second baseman, are the reserves.  Moser got his place strictly on defensive ability as he is probably the top man on the pivot in the loop.

In figuring the starting outfield I found that what had to be the top three outfielders in the league all played centre, but that was fixed by flanking Ray Nutzhorn of Moose Jaw with Terry Burns of Swift Current in left and Jerry Walker of Balcarres in right.  Walker led the league in homers.

Duane Ring of Fort Qu'Appelle and Wally Blaisdell of Moose Jaw are the reserves. The choice of Blaisdell was a must.  He can outhit Estevan's Jack Harbourne and Regina's Brian Dutkowski and can also play infield and pitch.  You can't ask for more in a utility player.

FLOYD STARTS

Arnie Floyd (7-2) and Al Ash (5-2) of Regina and Gord McDonald (5-1) and Merv Sanderson (5-2) of Estevan are my righthanded pitchers.  Jackie McLeod (5-2) and Denny Weston (5-1) are the southpaws.  The six have a combined won-lost mark of 32-10 with 23 complete games.

The manager is Mike Dayne of Moose Jaw, who guided the Steelers into the playoffs after a disastrous start under Baldy Smith.  Gord Currie of pennant-winning Regina, is his right-hand man."   (Regina Leader-Post, August 11, 1961)

PLAY-OFFS :

(August 12) The Regina Red Sox, defending champions of the Southern League, overcame a 6 - 0 Swift Current lead, scoring four times in the 8th and three more in the 9th, to pull out an amazing 7 - 6 win over the Indians in the opener of their Southern League semi-final series. Larry Bachiu scored the winning run on a daring display of base running. With one away in the 9th, Bachiu was on second base and was the lead runner. He was off and running as the Indians attempted a double play on a ground ball and, without breaking stride, rounded third and made it home as the ending-inning double play was missed. Denny Weston started on the mound for Swift Current and had things well in check until the 8th. Two relievers later, the Sox had completed the comeback to make Ken Holcomb the winner over Terry Burns.

Floyd, Holcomb (W) (5) and McNabb
Weston, McLeod (8), Burns (L) (9) and Johnson

(August 12) The Moose Jaw Steelers, strong finishers at the end of the Southern League schedule, maintained their momentum in their first semi-final playoff game against the Estevan Maple Leafs, in narrowly defeating their hosts 2 - 1. The Leafs led temporarily on Harold Schnell's bases-empty homer off Moose Jaw starter Wayne LeBere. Wally Blaisdell came on in the 5th after LeBere was lifted and shut-out Estevan the rest of the way for the win. Estevan out-hit Moose Jaw 9 - 5 but couldn't convert the hits into runs. Maple Leafs' starter Gord McDonald gave up all five Steeler base knocks in working 7 1/3 innings and took the loss. Ray Nutzhorn led the winners offensively with two singles. Schnell added a single to go along with his home run to lead Estevan. Ed Wyant and Jackie Harbourne both singled twice.

LeBere, Blaisdell (W) (5) and Foord
McDonald (L), Sanderson (8) and Hamill

(August 13) The Regina Red Sox took a two games to none lead in their semi-final playoff series by downing the Swift Current Indians 5 - 2. With the score knotted at 1 - 1 in the 6th, the Red Sox broke the game open with three runs. The Indians picked up one in the 7th but the Reginans got that one right back in their half and that was the scoring for the afternoon. Al Ash hurled a six-hitter to get the win. He gave up a lead-off home run to Clint Cory in the 2nd and was in no serious trouble after that. Harvey Pederson went the distance for Swift Current and gave up 10 hits but it was errors that primarily led to his downfall. Bob Davis waved the big bat in the Red Sox victory, doubling and singling. Morris McNabb was another two-hit batter with a brace of singles. No batter from the Tribe had more than one hit.

Pederson (L) and Johnson
Ash (W) and McNabb

(August 13) The Moose Jaw Steelers made it two wins in a row as they downed the Estevan Maple Leafs 9 - 4 in game two of their playoff series to pull ahead two games to none. The Steelmen took a 2 - 0 lead in the 1st inning and were never headed. Six errors made life miserable for loser Merv Sanderson of the Leafs. Mike Dayne went the distance for Moose Jaw, giving up 11 hits but remaining tight in the clutch. Dave Hornichuk continued to wield a hot bat for Moose Jaw, banging out a triple and single. Dayne and Murray Jenkins each had a double and single. Harold Schnell, Jackie Harbourne and Dan Klippenstein all had two hits for Estevan, one of Schnell's raps being a double.

Sanderson (L) and Hamill
Dayne (W) and Hunchuk

(August 15) The Swift Current Indians, their back to the wall, rocked the Regina Red Sox for an 8 - 5 victory and, by doing so, gave themselves a fresh outlook in their semi-final series even though they still trail two games to one. The Red Sox, down 8 - 2 entering the 5th, hammered away incessantly against the Tribe's Jackie McLeod but just couldn't break through his determination as they eventually ran out of gas. Winning pitcher McLeod, in fact, appeared to get stronger as the game wore on. Loser Ken Holcomb was yanked in the 2nd. Gord Johnson hammered a homer and double for Swift Current. Clint Cory and Stu Millard both had two hits, one of Cory's a three-bagger and one of Millard's a double. Lionel Ruhr and Bob Davis each had a double and single for Regina.

McLeod (W), Pederson (2), McLeod (3) and Johnson
Holcomb (L), Floyd (2), Vandale (4), Ash (6) and McNabb

(August 15) The Moose Jaw Steelers advanced to the Southern League final by defeating the Estevan Maple Leafs 10 - 6 to win their best-of-five semi-final three games to none. The game was halted after eight innings because of darkness. Ron McKechney gave Estevan a short-lived 2 - 0 lead in the 1st inning as he homered with one mate aboard. The lead switched back and forth until the 7th when the Steelers scored three, one a result of George Hunchuk's solo home run. Moose Jaw wrapped it up by plating three more in the 8th on Wally Blaisdell's three-run shot. Blaisdell had a pair of doubles to go along with his four-bagger. Southpaw Ray Nutzhorn picked up the victory in a solid relief performance. Gord McDonald was the loser. It was a dismal season-ending for the Leafs who lost their last two games of the season by lop-sided scores to the Steelers and then faded in three straight to Moose Jaw in the playoffs.

Blaisdell, Nutzhorn (W) (6) and Hunchuk
McDonald (L), Sanderson (7) and Hamill

(August 17) The best-of-five semi-final between the Swift Current Indians and Regina Red Sox has suddenly become a one-game sudden-death showdown. The Indians exploded for four runs in the 5th inning to defeat the Sox 4 - 3 and square their series at two games each. Harvey Pederson, who took the hill in relief in the 2nd frame, was the pitching winner. Regina's Al Ash failed to hold the lead in a fireman's role which saw Red Sox starter Ken Holcomb take the loss. The Red Stockings out-hit the Tribe 6 - 4 as Luke Moser's two singles led all batters in the hitting department.

Holcomb (L), Ash (5) and McNabb
Weston, Pederson (W) (2) and Johnson

(August 20) The Swift Current Indians climaxed a dramatic comeback as they spilled the pennant-winning Regina Red Sox 12 - 6 in the 5th and deciding game of their semi-final series before more than 1,700 fans. Loser Al Ash bit the dust in the opening frame as the Indians pounced on him for five runs. The Sox whittled away at the lead but were never able to get out of the hole that they had earlier dug for themselves. For the 2nd straight game, Swift Current's Harvey Pederson came on in relief and, for the second straight game, he came out as the winner. Terry Burns was the Indians' hottest performer with the bat, poking out three singles. Clint Cory and Gord Johnson each had a double and single and Al Schell had two singles. Ed Stefureak had a trio of singles for the Red Sox. Ed Prosofsky and Lionel Ruhr each had a pair of base raps, one of Prosofsky's being a two-bagger.

McLeod, Pederson (W) (2) and Johnson
Ash (L), Vandale (1), Holcomb (9) and McNabb

(August 21) Gord McDonald of the Estevan Maple Leafs and Denny Weston of the Swift Current Indians posted the best winning percentages among Southern League pitchers during league play with identical records of five wins and one loss. They become co-holders of the "Doc" Hughes memorial trophy.

Leading Pitchers
Gord McDonald (Estevan Maple Leafs)   5 - 1
Denny Weston (Swift Current Indians)  5 - 1
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Steelers)  4 - 1
Arnie Floyd (Regina Red Sox)          7 - 2
Ron Vandale (Regina Red Sox)          3 - 0
Al Swinehart (Estevan Maple Leafs)    3 - 1
Al Ash (Regina Red Sox)               5 - 2
Merv Sanderson (Estevan Maple Leafs)  5 - 2
Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) 5 - 2
Vic Wall (Regina Red Sox)             2 - 0

Strikeouts - Doug Modrell (Balcarres Braves) - 53
Innings Pitched - Harvey Pederson (Swift Current Indians) - 86 2/3
Most Runs Given Up - Pederson - 70
Most Hits Surrendered - Pederson - 92
Most Complete Games - Pederson, Sanderson and Modrell - all tied with 6
Most Walks Issued - Weston - 35

(August 23) Lionel Ruhr has been declared the batting king of the Southern League for 1961, finishing with a lofty .415 mark on 49 hits in 118 times at bat. He finished 57 points ahead of runner-up Duane Ring of the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Ruhr will receive the Dave Dryburgh memorial trophy for his fine season.

Top Ten Hitters
Lionel Ruhr (Regina Red Sox)               49 - 118 .415
Duane Ring (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) 24 -  67 .358
Clint Cory (Swift Current Indians)         34 -  96 .354
Ron McKechney (Estevan Maple Leafs)        25 -  73 .342
Dave Hornichuk (Moose Jaw Steelers)        30 -  89 .337
Ed Prosofsky (Regina Red Sox)              26 -  78 .333
Lyle Thompson (Estevan Maple Leafs)        22 -  67 .328
Morris McNabb (Regina Red Sox)             28 -  86 .326
Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Steelers)       39 - 121 .322
George Hunchuk (Moose Jaw Steelers)        26 -  81 .321

At Bats - Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians) - 135
Hits - Ruhr - 49
Runs Scored - Ruhr - 43
Doubles - Williams and Burns - tied with 11
Triples - Ruhr - 6
Home Runs - Jerry Walker (Balcarres Braves) - 4

(August 23) Flawless defensive play, combined with the fine seven-hit mound performance of lefthander Wayne LeBere, carried the Moose Jaw Steelers to a 9 - 2 victory over the Swift Current Indians in the first game of their best-of-seven series for the championship of the Southern League. This game was not even close as the Steelmen scored five runs in the 1st inning off loser Denny Weston and had a 9 - 0 lead after five innings were in the books. Mike Dayne and Wally Blaisdell homered for the Steelers. Dayne also had a single. Swift Current shortstop Stu Millard was their top hitter, rapping a double and two singles.

Weston (L), Ranger (1) and Johnson
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk

(August 25) Shortstop Lionel Ruhr of the Regina Red Sox has been named the Most Valuable Player in the Southern League in a poll of team managers. Second in the balloting was Moose Jaw's hustling center fielder and part-time pitcher, Ray Nutzhorn. Managers were not allowed to vote for any player on their own squad. Ruhr will receive the Heinie Rogers memorial trophy for this accomplishment.

(August 26) The Moose Jaw Steelers edged the Swift Current Indians 2 - 1 to take a two-game lead in their Southern League playoff final. Wally Blaisdell worked his way out of some early jams and hurled shut-out ball in the late innings to pitch the Steelers to their victory. He wound up with a four-hitter. Swift Current playing-manager Jackie McLeod went the distance in taking the defeat. Dave Hornichuk led the Steelers offensively with two singles while Murray Jenkins hit a run-scoring double. Hornichuk drove in Moose Jaw's first run, plating Ray Nutzhorn who had previously doubled. Gord Johnson of the Tribe had two of the four hits off Blaisdell.

Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk
McLeod (L) and Johnson

(August 27) For the second time in the Southern League playoffs, the Swift Current Indians are at the bottom end of a one-way street. They escaped a big scare in their semi-final series against the Regina Red Sox but now face an even bigger hurdle as they now trail three games to none in the final series as a result of being dumped 7 - 4 by the Moose Jaw Steelers in game three before 2,200 fans. The Indians took an early, 1st inning 2 - 0 lead against portsider Wayne LeBere but the lead was short-lived as the Steelers counted three in their half and never were behind thereafter. Losing pitcher Harvey Pederson went the distance for Swift Current. Murray Jenkins was Moose Jaw's big gun at the plate as he slammed a double and three singles. Mike Dayne and Ray Nutzhorn both singled twice. Gus Twamley was the top batter for the Tribe with three singles. Jackie McLeod had a double and single.

Pederson (L) and Johnson
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk

(August 29) Wally Blaisdell drove in 9 runs with two towering home runs and a pair of singles as the Moose Jaw Steelers won the Southern League championship by defeating the Swift Current Indians 15 - 8. The Steelmen wrapped up the best-of-seven series in four straight games. The high-scoring game lasted only seven innings because of darkness. George Hunchuk also homered for Moose Jaw. Ray Nutzhorn, in a solid relief performance, picked up the win over fellow southpaw Jackie McLeod. Dave Hornichuk and outfielder Murray Jenkins each hit two singles for the winners. Clint Cory slammed a double and two singles for the Tribe. Jerry Ranger hit a double and single while McLeod singled twice.

Mandzuk, Nutzhorn (W) (3) and Hunchuk
McLeod (L), Burns (3), Pederson (4), Ranger (6) and Johnson

 

 

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