Introduction - The number of league entrants for 1963 remains the same with the mix changing somewhat as the Estevan Maple Leafs decided to withdraw, citing the inexperience of their potential player base as their rationale. Their place was quickly taken by a franchise from Melville, known as the Millionaires. Contrary to the feelings expressed by Estevan officials, the Melville contingent felt that their club would be competitive from the start, noting that the foundation of their player base would be drawn from the champions of last season's Garry League, a senior circuit in their area. The Southern League will again have an unbalanced schedule. The defending champion Moose Jaw Regals will play 32 games while the Notre Dame Hounds will play 28. The other four member teams are all scheduled for 30 games. The semi-final playoff pairings will again feature the 1st and 3rd place finishers in one bracket while the 2nd and 4th place clubs will meet in the other.
Highlight of the season - A perfect game pitched by Norm Goodwill of the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians on opening night, May 22.
(May 22) Norm Goodwill, unable to pick up a pitching victory in the Southern League last season, opened the 1963 campaign with a blaze of glory, hurling a perfect game to lead the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians to a 17 - 0 whitewashing of the Notre Dame Hounds. Goodwill whiffed 11 of the 27 batters he faced in chalking up his perfect performance. Brian Buckholz, the first of four Notre Dame chuckers, was tagged with the loss. Elmer Goodwill led the 15-hit Sioux crew onslaught with four singles. Bill Seymour, Bill Sides, Ivan Mizinski and Norm Goodwill each collected two singles.
Buckholz (L), Allen (4), Lyons (5), Carr (8) and Doetzel
N. Goodwill (W) and E. Goodwill
(May 25) The Swift Current Indians opened their 1963 season by taking down the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 10 - 7 in the first of a two-game weekend set-to. The Tribe scored all their runs in the 1st and 3rd innings as Terry Burns and Ron Meyers both went 3 for 5. Gus Twamley, Stu Millard and Marv Martinson each collected two hits. Glenn Halbwachs had a double and single for the Fort. Jackie McLeod, who pitched into the 7th, got the win. Fort Qu'Appelle starter Bob Bleishwitz was the loser.
Bleishwitz (L), Townsend (3) and Williams
McLeod (W), Twamley (7) and Martinson
(May 26) The Regina Red Sox, unleashing a devastating 22-hit attack, bombed the Notre Dame Hounds 28 - 6 in a Southern League tilt. Murray Jenkins led the Red Sox barrage with three singles and a double. Luke Moser and Fran Huck each chipped in with three singles while Ed Stefureak had a pair. Al Ash, who led the league in wins last year, got the win. Notre Dame starter Bruce Buckholz was the loser. Hugh Huck had three singles for the Hounds. Art Sorenson, Ed Moroz, Al Halaz and Hugh Carr each hit a brace of one-baggers. The Red Sox blew a scoreless tussle open with nine runs in the 3rd and were able to breeze to victory from there.
Ash (W), B. Wright (7) and Bachiu, I. Wright (7)
Buckholz (L), Lyons (3), Carr (3), Boesch (6), Todd (8) and Doetzel
(May 26) A four-run, 2nd inning outburst propelled the Swift Current Indians to their second triumph over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians in two days, a 9 - 3 conquest. The Sioux used four chuckers in their attempt to silence the Swift Current bats with starter Bert Pitzel being tagged with the defeat. Barrie Ross led the way for the Tribe with a perfect day at the plate, belting four singles in four appearances. Terry Burns, with bullpen help from Stu Millard, got the pitching victory.
Pitzel (L), Bleishwitz (2), Townsend (6), Sentes (8) and Kaip
Burns (W), Millard (7) and Martinson
(May 29) A three-run homer by Ed Stefureak in the 3rd inning gave the Regina Red Sox a 3 - 1 decision over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Alex Bellegarde, with relief help from Gene Yellowega in the 8th, got credit for the win. Lorne Houk went all the way for the losers, whiffing 14. The Red Sox out-hit the Sioux by a 4 - 3 margin. Murray Jenkins of the Redlegs hit a single and double.
Bellegarde (W), Yellowega (8) and Bachiu
Houk (L) and Ross
(May 30) The Moose Jaw Regals, defending league champions, started off the 1963 season on the right foot when they edged the Regina Red Sox 5 - 3. Lefthander Wayne LeBere fashioned a nifty four-hitter and socked a three-run homer to come away with the hero's mantle. Al Ash, chased in the 4th, took the loss. Herb Lovett paced the Regal offensive display with four singles. Terry Wasley had a double and two singles and Wally Blaisdell a pair of singles.
Ash (L), B. Wright (4) and Bachiu
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(May 31) The Melville Millionaires, the newest entry in the Southern League, served notice that they are not to be taken lightly, as they edged past the Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 3 in their inaugural league encounter. Gord Markwart, who took over for starter Don Gelowitz in the 4th, got the pitching win. Notre Dame starter Larry Todd took the loss. Ed Miller and George Pirie each laced two singles for the Millionaires. Melville scored the winning run in the 6th on a pair of walks, a single by Pirie and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gelowitz.
Todd (L), Conacher (6), Carr (7) and Doetzel
Gelowitz, Markwart (W) (4) and Johnson
(June 1) The Notre Dame Hounds lost their 4th Southern League game out of the gate when the Swift Current Indians drubbed them 8 - 4 in the initial game of a weekend double-dip in Speedy Creek. Jackie McLeod scatted six hits effectively in going the route for the pitching win over Notre Dame starter Bruce Buckholz. Bob Lewis went for five for the Indians including a double. Stu Millard had a pair of singles. Hugh Huck hit a towering homer off McLeod to account for three of the Hounds' four runs.
Buckholz (L), Conacher (3) and Doetzel
McLeod (W) and Martinson
(June 2) The Moose Jaw Regals fell victim to the talkative bats of the Regina Red Sox as the Crimson Hose stormed to a 9 - 5 victory in a Southern League encounter. Ex-Fort Qu'Appelle and Balcarres chucker Gord Sim, in a long relief effort, recorded the pitching win for Regina. Wally Blaisdell, in from the bullpen in relief of former Red Sox' hurler Jim Fink, was saddled with the defeat. Big Ed Stefureak paced the Reginans offensively with a triple and single. Third sacker Fran Huck counted three singles. Rookie Brian Keegan led the Regals with the stick, drilling an inside-the-park home run and a single. Catcher George Hunchuk added a double and single.
Fink (L), Blaisdell (1) and Hunchuk
Bellegarde, Sim (W) (2) and Ruhr, McNabb (2)
(June 2) The Melville Millionaires took a thrilling, 12-inning 3 - 2 decision from the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians to improve their Southern League record to two wins in as many games. Darcy Loster spearheaded the Melville victory with a sterling mound performance. He surrendered but four hits in the 12-frame marathon and fanned 22 along the way. He aided his own cause with a double and three singles and scored the winning tally in this hard-fought tussle. Loster's two-bagger off losing pitcher Lorne Houk to lead off the bottom of the 12th set the stage for Doug Biro's RBI single. Houk fanned 14 in his 10 inning stint on the hill. Duane Ring was Fort Qu'Appelle's top hitter with two singles.
N. Goodwill, Houk (L) (3) and Ross
Loster (W) and Johnson
(June 2) The Swift Current Indians whipped the winless Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 3 to walk off with both ends of their weekend series. Gus Twamley twirled a crafty seven-hitter and struck out seven in leading the Tribe to victory. Larry Todd, the Hounds' starter was nailed with the loss. Jackie McLeod led the Indians attack with three singles while Bob Lewis and Twamley each had a brace. Cece McCarron and Art Sorenson both had a pair of one-baggers for the Dogs.
Twamley (W) and Martinson
Todd (L), Carr (9) and Doetzel
(June 11) Following a week of rain and soggy diamonds, Southern League play resumed and saw the Notre Dame Hounds record their first victory of the season, a 9 - 4 triumph over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Winless in five previous starts, the Hounds exploded for four runs in the 1st inning and added three more in the 3rd to coast to their initial conquest. Larry Todd went all the way on the hill for Notre Dame, tossing a six-hitter, to collect the pitching victory. Fort Qu'Appelle starter Norm Goodwill was hit with the loss. Cece McCarron's double was the only extra-base hit of the game. John Ross of the Indians was the game's leading batsman with three singles.
Todd (W) and Doetzel
N. Goodwill (L), Obey (3) and E. Goodwill, Ross (3)
(June 12) The Swift Current Indians took an early 3 - 0 lead but couldn't hold it as the Moose Jaw Regals scored five times in the 4th inning and went on to win 9 - 4. Dick Mandzuk, out of the bullpen to aid starter Wayne LeBere in the 3rd inning with the sacks full and no one out, put out the fire without any damage and went the rest of the way to pick up the win. Merv Sanderson, making his first start with the Indians after several campaigns with the now-defunct Estevan Maple Leafs, went the distance for Swift Current and was the loser. The loss was the first of the season for the Indians. Offensive honors were shared by Moose Jaw's Larry Tollefson and Lorne Humphreys who each stroked a pair of singles.
Sanderson (L) and Martinson
LeBere, Mandzuk (W) (3) and Hunchuk
(June 13) The Regina Red Sox moved into second spot in the Southern League by whipping the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 9 - 2. Al Ash, the top hurler in the Southern League last season, went the distance for the Sox, giving up seven hits and fanning six. Lorne Houk, the Fort Qu'Appelle starter, suffered the loss. Left fielder Murray Jenkins, playing his first season with the Sox, had a perfect night at the plate slashing three singles and a double in four trips. First baseman Ed Stefureak tripled and homered while center fielder Moe Fleishhaker doubled and singled. Center fielder Duane Ring paced Fort Qu'Appelle's seven-hit attack clubbing a triple and single. Bill Sides doubled and singled in three trips.
Houk (L), Townsend (7) and Bilokreli, Williams (7)
Ash (W) and I. Wright, McNabb (8)
(June 13) The Moose Jaw Regals rolled to a 15 - 5 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. Wally Blaisdell chucked the entire game for the Regals, giving up seven hits and whiffing five. John Conacher, the second of three Notre Dame hurlers, was hit with the loss. Newcomer Jim Pettapiece drilled two homers and a single for Moose Jaw. Teammate Lorne Humphreys belted a double and three singles.
Blaisdell (W) and xxxx
Resch, Conacher (L) (5), Buckholz (8) and xxxx
(June 14) The Melville Millionaires were knocked from the ranks of the undefeated when the lowly Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians shut them out 3 - 0 in Southern League play. Newcomer John Hampton tossed a four-hitter and struck out 13 in picking up the shut-out win for the Sioux. Imports Daryl Patterson and Al McIntosh split the mound chores for the Millionaires with McIntosh taking the loss. The Sioux crew scored all their runs in the 8th on consecutive singles by Albert Apo, John Ross, Norm Goodwill and Duane Ring.
Hampton (W) and Ross
Patterson, McIntosh (L) (7) and Johnson
(June 17) The Moose Jaw Regals recorded their 4th win in five Southern League games when they trounced the Melville Millionaires 10 - 2 in a game called after eight innings because of rain. Wayne LeBere went the distance for the Regals to chalk up his second win of the season. Loser Daryl Patterson also tossed a complete game, allowing just six hits, but got little defensive support from his mates who were charged with six miscues. A five-run outburst in the 5th put the Regals in front to stay. Melville's Don Laube was the offensive star of the game with three singles.
Patterson (L) and Johnson
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(June 18) The Notre Dame Hounds, unleashing a 16-hit attack and displaying some daring base-running, trounced the Regina Red Sox 11 - 3. It was the second win in eight starts for the Hounds. Lefthander Larry Todd, with relief help, got credit for his second victory of the season. Regina's Gord Sim lasted into the 5th and was nailed with the loss. Left fielder Art Sorenson paced Notre Dame's offense with a booming triple and two singles. Jerry Norick laced four singles while Richie Dukes had a trio of one-baggers. Larry Bachiu, Luke Moser and Greg Nicurity each collected two singles for the Red Stockings.
Todd (W), Resch (9) and Doetzel
Sim (L), Ash (5) and I. Wright
(June 19) The Melville Millionaires bested the Moose Jaw Regals 4 - 3 in a Southern League encounter. Moose Jaw took a 3 - 0 lead in the top of the 1st but Melville scored a pair in the bottom of the 5th and then plated the tying and winning markers in the 7th. Playing-manager Roland Jones, making his first Southern League pitching start for the Regals, was the loser. Darcy Loster hurled the entire match for the Millionaires and picked up his second triumph of the campaign. Mel Biro of the Moneymen scored the winning tally when he crossed the plate from third after brother Doug's line drive was muffed.
Jones (L), Fink (8) and Day
Loster (W) and Johnson
(June 19) The Regina Red Sox stomped to an easy 8 - 1 Southern League victory over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. The Sox jumped out to an early 3 - 0 lead and never trailed. Bob Wright, taking the mound in the 4th, got the pitching win over Fort Qu'Appelle starter Lorne Houk. Luke Moser singled twice and also had a three-bagger for the Redlegs. Larry Bachiu had three hits as well, one being a double. Duane Ring and Art Obey both singled and doubled in three attempts for the losers.
Bellegarde, B. Wright (W) (4) and McNabb
Houk (L), Obey (4) and Bilokreli, E. Goodwill (7)
(June 21) The Melville Millionaires strengthened their grip on third place in the Southern League by taking a 9 - 4 decision over the cellar-dwelling Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Don Gelowitz, in relief of starter Al McIntosh, got credit for the pitching win. Bert Pitzel, who took over from John Hampton in the 4th, was the loser. Barry Trapp and Herm Weitzel paced the Millionaires at bat, both drilling a double and single. Jerry Walker had a pair of singles. The game ended after eight innings as darkness set in.
McIntosh, Gelowitz (W) (5) and Johnson
Hampton, Pitzel (L) (5), Bleishwitz (8) and Ross, E. Goodwill (8)
(June 21) The Regina Red Sox, displaying a hustling brand of ball, dropped the Moose Jaw Regals 5 - 2 before 1,200 fans. Chunky lefthander Gene Yellowega fashioned a six-hitter for the win, although requiring a one-pitch relief appearance in the 8th by Al Ash to snuff out a Moose Jaw rally. Wally Blaisdell went the distance for the Regals and absorbed the defeat. Third sacker Fran Huck led the Sox offensively with a double and single. Lorne Humphreys and Dennis Williams each had two singles for the Regals.
Blaisdell (L) and Lovett
Yellowega (W), Ash (8) and Bachiu
(June 23) The Swift Current Indians and Regina Red Sox continued to set the pace in the Southern League when they split a Sunday afternoon doubleheader before 1,000 fans. The Red Sox, behind the three-hit chucking of rookie Bob Wright, blanked the visitors 9 - 0 in the seven-inning opener. The second tilt was halted after eight innings because of a Sunday curfew and saw the Indians prevail 9 - 8. Jackie McLeod took the loss in the matinee, being driven from the mound in the 6th. Shortstop Gary Franklin led the Sox hitting attack with a triple and single. Luke Moser contributed a double and single while Lionel Ruhr and Larry Bachiu both singled twice.
McLeod (L), Schell (6) and McConnell
B. Wright (W) and Bachiu
Terry Burns, the third Swift Current pitcher, picked up the win in the nightcap. Bob Wright, who won the opener, had his record for the day evened in taking the game two loss. Stu Millard hit a triple and single for the Tribe. Jackie McLeod socked a double and single as did catcher Pat McConnell. For the Crimson Hose, Gary Franklin and Morris McNabb both had two hits, one of Franklin's being a two-bagger.
Sanderson, Millard (3), Burns (W) (7) and McConnell
Ash, Yellowega (4), B. Wright (L) (7) and McNabb
(June 23) The Moose Jaw Regals climbed back into third place in the Southern League with a 9 - 3 decision over the Melville Millionaires. Winner Dick Mandzuk of the Regals and loser Daryl Patterson of the Millionaires both threw four-hitters, the main difference in this game being Melville's shoddy defense. Dennis Williams homered for Moose Jaw while Jerry Walker hit a four-bagger and double for the Moneymen.
Mandzuk (W) and Lovett
Patterson (L) and Johnson
(June 23) The Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians nipped the Notre Dame Hounds 2 - 1 as Lorne Houk tossed a seven-hitter for the win. Notre Dame starter Brian Buckholz was the losing pitcher. George Funk of the Sioux and Richie Dukes of the Hounds were the only batters with more than one hit in this contest. Both singed twice.
Houk (W) and Funk
Buckholz (L), Jankowich (5) and Doetzel
Standings as of June 24
Swift Current Indians 5 - 2 .714
Regina Red Sox 7 - 3 .700
Moose Jaw Regals 5 - 3 .625
Melville Millionaires 4 - 3 .571
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 3 - 8 .272
Notre Dame Hounds 2 - 7 .222
(June 25) A three-hit mound chore by John Hampton sparked the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians to a 4 - 1 victory over the Moose Jaw Regals. The loss for Moose Jaw dumped them into 4th place in the Southern League. Regals' starter Jim Fink took the loss. Stu Willison belted a bases-empty home run for the Fort. Glenn Halbwachs socked a double and single and catcher John Ross had a brace of singles. Two of the three hits off Hampton, a double and a single, were garnered by Regals' shortstop Dennis Williams.
Hampton (W) and Ross
Fink (L), Blaisdell (4) and Hunchuk, Day (5)
(June 26) The Regina Red Sox took a one-sided 15 - 7 victory from the Melville Millionaires in Southern League play, a win which lifted them into first place. 16 year old southpaw Doug Homme worked 7 1/3 innings to get the win in his first Southern League appearance. Melville starter Al McIntosh took the loss. Shortstop Gary Franklin had seven RBI's for the Red Stockings on three singles in four trips. Larry Bachiu went three for five and Murray Jenkins ripped two singles. Merv Laube had a double and single for the Moneymen while catcher Gord Johnson had two singles.
McIntosh (L), Markwart (7), Hicke (8) and Johnson
Homme (W), Sim (8), Bellegarde (9) and Bachiu
(June 27) A superb six-hit mound performance by Daryl Patterson lifted the Melville Millionaires to a 3 - 0 victory over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. The win pushed Melville into a tie for third place with the Moose Jaw Regals. Patterson struck out nine and walked two in going the distance. Loser Bob Bleishwitz gave up all five hits collected by the Moneymen. Left fielder Jerry Walker had a double and single for the winners and was the only player on either team to have a multi-hit game.
Bleishwitz (L), Obey (7) and Williams
Patterson (W) and Johnson
(June 28) The Moose Jaw Regals blanked the Regina Red Sox 6 - 0 behind the sparkling four-hit pitching of playing-manager Roland Jones. The Regal victory dropped the Red Sox back into 2nd spot, mere percentage points behind the Swift Current Indians. Jones, making his second start of the season, struck out 11 batters and walked two. Rookie Bob Wright, who gave way to Gene Yellowega in the 7th, was the loser. Catcher George Hunchuk led the Moose Jaw offense with a bases-empty home run and a single. Shortstop Denny Williams had a double and single.
B. Wright (L), Yellowega (7) and Bachiu
Jones (W) and Hunchuk
(June 28) The Melville Millionaires trounced the Notre Dame Hounds 11 - 0 to further drop the Dogs into the Southern League basement. Al McIntosh fired a three-hitter at Notre Dame to pick up the complete game, shut-out win. Hounds' starter Larry Todd was the loser. Right fielder George Pirie had four singles for Melville as did Bev Hickie. Rollie Wilcox contributed a pair of one-baggers.
McIntosh (W) and Johnson
Todd (L), Longmore (3), Buckholz (7) and Doetzel
(June 30) The Swift Current Indians moved into sole possession of first place in the Southern League by sweeping a doubleheader from the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians, Swift Current, behind the two-hit pitching of playing-manager Jackie McLeod, blanked the Sioux 2 - 0 in the first game and then followed up with a 7 - 1 decision in the second outing. McLeod fanned six and walked two in the seven-inning matinee as Lorne Houk gave up only four hits in taking the loss.
McLeod (W) and McConnell
Houk (L) and Williams
Mike Gallagher went the distance for the victory in the finale, giving up six hits and striking out five. Bert Pitzel was the loser.
Gallagher (W) and McConnell
Pitzel (L) and Williams
(July 3) A three-run opening frame was all the scoring needed for the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians as they shut-out the Moose Jaw Regals 3 - 0. Lorne Houk went all the way for the win, scattering seven hits and fanning five. The setback was a heart-breaker for Moose Jaw's Wally Blaisdell. The big right-hander gave up just two hits, both singles to Albert Apo, in taking the loss. The Sioux crew scored the three first inning tallies on a single, a walk, two errors, a pair of stolen bases and a passed ball. Lorne Humphreys had a double and single for the Regals.
Blaisdell (L) and Day, Davis (2)
Houk (W) and Ross
(July 4) Regina Red Sox sluggers dominate the first set of batting statistics released by the Southern League today. Murray Jenkins, the hard-hitting left fielder with the Red Sox, is setting a torrid pace with a gaudy .469 average. Second baseman Luke Moser of Regina is currently in the runner-up spot with a sparkling .452 mark. Catcher Larry Bachiu holds down third place, hitting the ball at a .414 clip.
Top Ten Batters
Murray Jenkins (Regina Red Sox) 15 - 32 .469
Luke Moser (Regina Red Sox) 14 - 31 .452
Larry Bachiu (Regina Red Sox) 12 - 29 .414
Gary Franklin (Regina Red Sox) 13 - 33 .394
Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) 10 - 26 .385
John Ross (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) 10 - 26 .385
Ed Stefureak (Regina Red Sox) 13 - 36 .361
Art Sorenson (Notre Dame Hounds) 12 - 34 .353
Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Regals) 8 - 23 .348
Stu Willison (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) 13 - 41 .325
(July 4) A pair of 9th inning tallies gave the Swift Current Indians a 7 - 6 victory over the Regina Red Sox in a Southern League tussle. The triumph strengthened the Indians hold on top spot in the 6-team circuit. Playing-manager Jackie McLeod went the rout for the pitching victory, his 4th against a single setback. Gord Sim, who faced just two batters in a 9th inning relief appearance, was slapped with the loss. Bob Lewis was the top hitter for Swift Current with a double and two singles. Ron Meyers, Stu Millard and Terry Burns all singled twice. For the Red Sox, Larry Bachiu was the big noise with a triple and single. Ed Stefureak had a double and single.
McLeod (W) and Nybo
B. Wright, Bellegarde (8), Sim (L) (9), Vandale (9) and Bachiu
(July 5) The Melville Millionaires moved into second place in the Southern League, a few percentage points ahead of the Regina Red Sox, when they disposed of the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 8 - 4. Melville starter Harold Barnes picked up the pitching win over Fort Qu'Appelle's John Hampton. The Millionaires unleashed a 12-hit offense compared with only three hits garnered by the Sioux. Leading the way for the Moneymen was third baseman Rollie Wilcox with four singles. Jerry Walker blasted a home run plus a single. Bev Hickie and George Pirie both poked out two singles.
Barnes (W), Gelowitz (7) and Weitzel
Hampton (L), Houk (5) and Ross
(July 6) The Moose Jaw Regals dumped the pace-setting Swift Current Indians 11 - 2 in the first of a weekend double-dip. The Indians made life miserable for themselves and losing pitcher Mike Gallagher, committing eight errors. Moose Jaw playing-manager Roland Jones was the winner and pitched into 6th when he was ejected for disputing a call by the plate umpire. A seven-run 7th inning sewed the game up for Moose Jaw. Terry Wasley and Wally Blaisdell both had a double and single for the Regals. Bob Lewis homered and had a single for Swift Current. Terry Burns hit a double and single for the losers.
Jones (W), Mandzuk (6) and Hunchuk
Gallagher (L), Millard (7) and Nybo
(July 7) The Melville Millionaires and Regina Red Sox split a Sunday doubleheader with the home-team Millionaires taking the first match 5 - 2 while the Red Sox stormed back to capture the nightcap 8 - 3. Darcy Loster went all the way on the mound in the opener for the victory. The hard-throwing, Melville right-hander gave up just three hits, all singles, and fanned 15. It was his third victory in as many starts and ran his strikeout total to 60. Losing pitcher Ron Vandale gave up just five hits but three were homers, one each from the bats of catcher Herm Weitzel, Don Laube and Don Gelowitz.
Vandale (L), Yellowega (8) and McNabb
Loster (W) and Weitzel
Al Ash tossed a five-hitter at Melville in the second encounter to pick up the complete game victory. Daryl Patterson was the loser. Gary Franklin and Fran Huck each collected two singles for the Red Sox. Don Laube socked a 1st inning home run for the Millionaires.
Ash (W) and Bachiu
Patterson (L), Powell (4) and Weitzel
(July 7) The Moose Jaw Regals moved to within a half game of the league-leading Swift Current Indians by scalping the Tribe 4 - 1 in the finale of their weekend series. Wayne LeBere held the Indians to just two hits, doubles by Jackie McLeod and Stu Millard, to post the win. Merv Sanderson took the loss. The Indians again shot themselves in the foot defensively by booting the ball eight times.
LeBere (W) and Davis
Sanderson (L) and Nybo
(July 8) Wayne LeBere of the Moose Jaw Regals and Darcy Loster of the Melville Millionaires are currently showing the way in the race for the top pitching laurels in the Southern League. Statistics released today show the pair deadlocked with 3 - 0 records.
Winning Percentage - Wayne LeBere (Moose Jaw Regals) and Darcy Loster (Melville Millionaires) - both tied at three wins and no losses 1.000
Most Wins - Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) - 4
Most Innings Pitched - Lorne Houk (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) - 58
Most Strikeouts - Loster - 60
Most Walks Issued - Larry Todd (Notre Dame Hounds) - 32
Most Losses - Bruce Buckholz (Notre Dame Hounds) - 4
(July 8) The Moose Jaw Regals moved to within .024 percentage points of first place in the Southern League when they nipped the Melville Millionaires 2 - 1. Jim Fink pitched his first win of the season, fashioning a six-hitter. Loser Daryl Patterson was equally effective, surrendering only five safeties. The Regals scored the winning run in the 7th on a hit batsman, a single by Terry Wasley and an error by third baseman Darcy Loster.
Patterson (L) and Johnson
Fink (W) and Hunchuk
(July 11) Veteran right-hander Al Ash snuffed out a late rally by the Melville Millionaires to give the Regina Red Sox a 5 - 3 win over the visitors. Ash saved the win for Red Sox' starter Bob Wright. Bill Powell, forced to leave the game in the 3rd inning due to an injury, was the loser. The Red Sox victory moved them into a three-way deadlock for first place with the Swift Current Indians and Moose Jaw Regals. Larry Bachiu led the hitting parade for the Crimson Hose with a double and a two-run triple. Luke Moser had a double and single. George Pirie and Barry Trapp slapped out two singles each for the Millionaires.
Powell (L), Gelowitz (3) and Johnson
B. Wright (W), Ash (8) and Bachiu
(July 12) Stu Willison's 9th inning single plated the equalizer for the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians as they rallied to tie the Notre Dame Hounds 3 - 3. Fort Qu'Appelle's John Hampton and Al McIntosh of the Hounds, who was recently obtained from the Melville Millionaires, both pitched the entire nine innings before darkness halted proceedings. Dennis Messier belted two solo home runs for the Dogs.
McIntosh and Doetzel
Hampton and Ross
(July 12) The Moose Jaw Regals and Swift Current Indians fought to a 7 - 7 draw in a hard-fought Southern League contest. The Regals, behind 7 - 3 after 1 1/2 innings, slowly gained ground to get the tie. Jackie McLeod went the distance on the hill for the Tribe. Moose Jaw's Wayne LeBere was hammered from the mound in the 2nd frame and only a stellar relief performance by Dick Mandzuk kept the Regals in the game. Bob Lewis had three singles for the Indians. Terry Burns, Stu Millard and McLeod all singled twice. Wally Blaisdell had a homer and two singles for the Regals. Catcher George Hunchuk also belted a homer, his 3rd of the season. Shortstop Dennis Williams cranked out a double and single.
McLeod and Nybo
LeBere, Mandzuk (2) and Hunchuk
(July 13) The Melville Millionaires, behind the five-hit pitching performance of Daryl Patterson, tripped the Swift Current Indians 6 - 1. Patterson struck out 12 in chalking up hid 3rd win of the season. Swift Current starter Mike Gallagher, driven from the hill in the 6th, lost it. Catcher Gordon Johnson had two singles and a solo homer for Melville. Barry Trapp and George Pirie each banged out two singles.
Gallagher (L), White (6) and Nybo
Patterson (W) and Johnson
(July 13) The Moose Jaw Regals moved into sole possession of first place in the Southern League by burying the Notre Dame Hounds 11 - 0. Wally Blaisdell threw a five-hitter for the shut-out win. Brian Buckholz, belted from the slab in the 1st inning, took the loss. Three of the five hits off Blaisdell were garnered by Hounds' center fielder Hugh Huck who came through with two singles and a double. Leading Moose Jaw's 11-hit barrage was Denny Williams who had a double and two singles. Blaisdell aided his own cause with a double and single while Lorne Humphreys and catcher Reyn Davis each singled twice.
Buckholz (L), Resch (1) and Doetzel
Blaisdell (W) and Davis
(July 14) A two-run ground-rule double by outfielder Jerry Walker in the 9th inning drove in the winning and insurance runs and gave the Melville Millionaires a 3 - 1 victory over the Swift Current Indians. The loss for Swift Current, league leaders for most of the season, dropped them into 4th place in the Southern League. Indians' starter Merv Sanderson, although not on the hill when the winning blow was struck, took the loss. Darcy Loster, with 9th inning help from Brian Richards, was the winner. Herm Weitzel had a double and single for the winners. Ron McKechney and Jerry Knipfel each singled twice for the Tribe.
Loster (W), Richards (9) and Johnson
Sanderson (L), Millard (9) and McKechney
(July 14) The combined talents of a trio of hurlers from the Moose Jaw Regals plus some timely hitting by three of their teammates, proved too much for the Regina Red Sox as the Southern League All-Stars chalked up an impressive 10 - 1 victory in the first such all-star event since 1954. As Regina had agreed to host the game, the Red Sox were selected to play an aggregation of the best players from the remaining five member clubs. Three Moose Jaw chuckers, Wayne LeBere, Dick Mandzuk and Roland Jones hurled shut-out ball during their tenures on the hill. The All-Stars out-hit the Red Sox 10 - 5. The Mill City triumvirate of second baseman Lorne Humphreys, shortstop Dennis Williams and outfielder Terry Wasley each came through with a brace of hits, one of Williams' being a double. Williams also had three RBI's. The only Red Sox run came off the offerings of Fort Qu'Appelle's John Hampton.
LeBere, Hampton (4), Mandzuk (7), Jones (8) and Hunchuk, Saucier (3)
Bellegarde, Yellowega (7) and Bachiu
Standings as of July 15
Moose Jaw Regals 10 - 5 .667
Regina Red Sox 10 - 6 .625
Melville Millionaires 10 - 7 .588
Swift Current Indians 8 - 6 .571
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 5 - 12 .294
Notre Dame Hounds 2 - 9 .182
(July 16) An impressive three-hit mound performance by Al McIntosh gave the Notre Dame Hounds a 6 - 2 victory over the Swift Current Indians in a Southern League encounter. The win was only the third of the season for the last-place Hounds. McIntosh, who joined the Hounds last week after starting the season with the Melville Millionaires, struck out 15 in his scalping of the Tribe. Swift Current starter Mike Gallagher took the loss. Morris Mott sparked the Hounds offensively with a double and single. Bernie Lyons hit two singles.
Gallagher (L), Sanderson (4), McLeod (7), Burns (8) and McKechney
McIntosh (W) and Doetzel
(July 17) The Melville Millionaires ran roughshod over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians, scoring a 10 - 0 victory. Melville's Daryl Patterson set the Sioux down on just five hits to get the shut-out win over starter Bob Bleishwitz of the Fort. Millionaires' catcher Gord Johnson cracked three singles. Don Laube was hot with the stick slamming a home run and single. Barry Trapp and Herm Weitzel both had two hits, one of Trapp's a triple and one of Weitzel's a double. Stu Willison had two singles for the Sioux crew.
Bleishwitz (L), Pitzel (3), N. Goodwill (6) and Ross, Wright (8)
Patterson (W), Gelowitz (7) and Johnson
(July 17) Roland Jones, playing-manager of the Moose Jaw Regals, took to the mound and gave up but four hits, all singles, as his charges took care of the Regina Red Sox 4 - 2. Jones struck out 10 in out-pitching loser Al Ash of the Reginans. Terry Wasley had two singles for the winners and was also responsible for the defensive play of the game, a great throw from right field which cut down runner Lionel Ruhr at home plate. Ed Stefureak had two singles for the Sox.
Ash (L) and Bachiu
Jones (W) and Hunchuk
(July 19) Luke Moser, diminutive second sacker of the Regina Red Sox, has taken over the individual batting lead in the Southern League with a .400 average.
Top Ten Batters
Luke Moser (Regina Red Sox) 18 - 45 .400
Larry Bachiu (Regina Red Sox) 19 - 50 .380
George Pirie (Melville Millionaires) 20 - 55 .364
Gary Franklin (Regina Red Sox) 19 - 55 .345
Murray Jenkins (Regina Red Sox) 18 - 53 .340
Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Regals) 17 - 51 .333
Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) 11 - 34 .329
Art Sorenson (Notre Dame Hounds) 12 - 37 .324
Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians) 12 - 37 .324
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Regals) 12 - 38 .316
(July 19) A pair of late-inning tallies and a sharp three-hit mound chore by Ron Vandale paced the Regina Red Sox to a 2 - 0 decision over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Vandale, garnering his first winning decision of the season, fanned four. All three safeties off his slants were singles. The Sox broke up a scoreless duel by plating single runs in the 8th and 9th innings. Loser John Hampton went all the way for the Fort, surrendering seven hits. Regina's Gord Froehlich led all hitters with two singles, the only player to get more than one hit.
Vandale (W) and Bachiu
Hampton (L) and Wright
(July 19) The Notre Dame Hounds climbed out of the Southern League cellar with a rousing 16 - 3 victory over an inept squad of Moose Jaw Regals. The Hounds got a stellar one-hit pitching effort from Phil Resch. Regals' Jim Fink was blasted for 16 hits in suffering the loss. Moose Jaw's performance defensively left much to be desired as they committed 11 miscues. Jerry Norlick and Larry Todd each hit a trio of singles plus a two-bagger for the Dogs. Catcher Ed Doetzel, Hugh Huck and Jim Lyons all had two hits, one of Doetzel's being a double.
Resch (W) and Doetzel
Fink (L) and Davis
(July 20) The Regina Red Sox out-slugged the Swift Current Indians to post a 16 - 13 verdict in game one of their weekend series. The home run was the main weapon exhibited by the Reginans as Gene Yellowega led the way slamming a pair while Larry Bachiu and Ed Stefureak poled one each. Al Ash got the win over Swift Current starter Jackie McLeod. Yellowega also had a single to go along with his brace of four-baggers. Fran Huck hit a double and two singles for the Sox. Bob Lewis was the most productive hitter for the Tribe, blasting a solo homer, a double and three singles. Mike Gallagher had a trio of one-baggers and Harvey Nybo a double and two singles.
B. Wright, Ash (W) (4) and Bachiu
McLeod (L), Twamley (1), Burns (5), Millard (7) and Nybo, McConnell (8)
(July 21) Wayne LeBere, who took over the pitching chores from loser Wally Blaisdell in the 8th inning with the bases loaded, walked in the winning run as the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians took a narrow decision from the Moose Jaw Regals 4 - 3. Lorne Houk struck out 11 and went the distance for Fort Qu'Appelle, tossing with a five-hitter, to get the win.
Blaisdell (L), LeBere (8) and Davis
Houk (W) and Wright
(July 21) The Swift Current Indians used two big innings to come from behind a 3 - 0 deficit and edge the Regina Red Sox 7 - 4. Mike Gallagher effectively scattered 10 hits and struck out eight to get the mound win. Doug Homme took the loss. Ron McKechney hit a bases-empty dinger for the Tribe. Luke Moser and Ed Stefureak each belted homers for the Redlegs. Fran Huck and Moe Fleishhaker both singled twice.
Homme (L), B. Wright (8) and Bachiu
Gallagher (W) and Nybo
(July 23) A four-run outburst in the 6th inning gave the Melville Millionaires a 5 - 3 verdict over the Notre Dame Hounds in a Southern League game halted by darkness after seven innings. The win lifted Melville into sole possession of first place with a 12 - 7 record while the loss for the Hounds dropped them into the league cellar. Daryl Patterson went the distance for the Millionaires, fashioning a neat five-hitter. Phil Resch, who gave way to Paul Longmore in the 7th, was the loser. Rollie Wilcox paced the Melville attack with three singles while teammate Bev Hickie had a pair. Ed Doetzel socked a double and single for Notre Dame.
Patterson (W) and Johnson
Resch (L), Longmore (7) and Doetzel
(July 23) A pinch-hit 9th inning single by rookie Gary Nicurity staved off defeat for the Regina Red Sox and allowed them to tie the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 4 - 4. With Fort Qu'Appelle hurler John Hampton one out away from his 4th Southern League victory of the season, Nicurity dumped Hampton's third pitch into right-center field to score speedy Gord Froehlich all the way from first base. Fran Huck, the Southern League's top rookie last season, had two singles for the Sox. Stu Willison drilled a double and single for the Fort.
Hampton and Ross
Bellegarde, Vandale (6), Ash (9) and Bachiu
(July 23) Satchel Paige and his touring All-Stars defeated the Moose Jaw Regals 11 - 3 in an exhibition game before 1,000 fans. Satch, who toiled on the mound for two innings, looked impressive before letting his son, LeRoy, take over. Jim Fink and Roland Jones combined to handle the pitching chores for the Regals, allowing 11 hits. The Regals were only able to collect two hits.
(July 24) Unleashing an awesome display of power in the late innings, Satchel Paige's touring All-Stars thumped the Regina Red Sox 12 - 7 in an exhibition game before 1,200 fans. The All-Stars, on the short end of a 6 - 3 score after seven innings, took to the offerings of southpaw Gene Yellowega in the 8th to score five times and then jumped on Al Ash in the 9th for four more to turn the game into a near rout. Willie Cleveland led the All-Stars attack with a two-run homer in the 8th and a three-run triple in the 9th. The other big blow came off the bat of Willie Washington who socked a two-run triple in the 8th. Big Ed Stefureak caused most of the damage for the Red Sox with a towering bases-loaded home run in the 6th. Lionel Ruhr collected three singles while Luke Moser and Fran Huck added a pair as the Sox out-hit the barnstorming visitors 15 - 14. Paige turned in a two inning performance on the mound for the All-Stars, throwing mostly slow curves mixed in with a looping change-up. Only when there was a runner in scoring position did he turn to his traditional fastball. Regina starter Gord Sim pitched the first five innings, striking out eight and allowing two runs. The winning pitcher was Henry Meyers.
(July 24) A three-run rally in the 9th inning gave the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians a 6 - 3 victory over the Moose Jaw Regals in a Southern League game. It was the 4th straight time the Sioux have defeated the Regals this season. The loss dropped Moose Jaw into third place. Lorne Houk went all the way on the mound for the Sioux crew and was also responsible for producing the game-winning run with a 9th inning single. Dick Mandzuk, who gave way to Wayne LeBere in the 9th, was tagged with the loss. Shortstop Albert Apo had three singles for the winners. Houk and right fielder Alex Lypka had a pair. Wally Blaisdell and Lorne Humphreys had two hits each for Moose Jaw, one of Blaisdell's being a double.
Houk (W) and Wright, Williams (9)
Mandzuk (L), LeBere (9) and Davis
(July 25) The Melville Millionaires retained their full game lead atop the Southern League when they routed the Notre Dame Hounds 12 - 4 behind the six-hit pitching of Darcy Loster. It was Loster's 5th win without a loss. Ed Bearss, the first of three Notre Dame hurlers, was the loser. Jerry Walker paced the Millionaires' onslaught with a home run and two singles. Rollie Wilcox socked a triple, double and single and Mel Biro hit a double and two singles. Herm Weitzel chipped in with two singles.
Bearss (L), McIntosh (2), Carr (5) and Doetzel
Loster (W) and Johnson
(July 25) The Moose Jaw Regals, displaying a hustling, hard-hitting brand of ball, outclassed the slumping Regina Red Sox 10 - 0. Southpaw Wayne LeBere shut down the Sox on four hits for the pitching win. Regina starter Bob Wright was the loser. Right fielder Terry Wasley was the top batter for Moose Jaw with a triple, double and single. Wally Blaisdell belted a double and single while Lorne Humphreys singled twice.
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
B. Wright (L), Bellegarde (3) and McNabb, Ruhr (6)
(July 26) The Notre Dame Hounds, with college founder Father Athol Murray in the stands and later in their dugout, overcame a 4 - 2 deficit in the late innings to thump the slumping Regina Red Sox 9 - 4 in a Southern League tilt that was called after eight innings because of darkness. Phil Resch, who got some fine relief assistance from lanky Al McIntosh in the 7th, got credit for the victory. Ron Vandale went the route for the Sox and was saddled with the loss. A two-run triple by third sacker Denny Messier put the Hounds in front to stay in the 7th. Jerry Norick and Richie Dukes both had a pair of one-baggers for the Dogs. Fran Huck singled three times for the Redlegs while Luke Moser and Ed Stefureak each delivered two singles.
Resch (W), McIntosh (7) and Doetzel
Vandale (L) and Ruhr
(July 27) The Swift Current Indians edged the Moose Jaw Regals 6 - 5 in a thriller that went right down to the wire. Mike Gallagher, with bullpen help from Merv Sanderson in the 9th when the Regals had runners in scoring position, took the win. Moose Jaw starter Wally Blaisdell was the loser. Gallagher socked a home run and single for the Indians. George Hunchuk and Blaisdell each hit a double and single for the Regals.
Blaisdell (L), Mandzuk (6), Fink (7) and Hunchuk
Gallagher (W), Sanderson (9) and McConnell
(July 28) The Regina Red Sox, winless in their last four outings, nipped the league-leading Melville Millionaires 7 - 6, scoring a pair in the 9th to do so. Veteran Al Ash went all the way on the hill for the Red Sox win. Melville starter Daryl Patterson was hit with the loss. Lionel Ruhr paced the Regina attack with a double and two singles. Fran Huck had a home run while Ed Stefureak drilled a double and single. Murray Jenkins singled twice. Gord Johnson belted two homers for the Moneymen. Mel Biro came through with a three-bagger and two singles.
Ash (W) and Ruhr
Patterson (L), Richards (9) and Johnson
(July 28) A 10th inning squeeze bunt by Denny Messier sent Bernie Saucier scampering home with the deciding run as the Notre Dame Hounds edged the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 4 - 3 in the completion of a July 12 game that had been called after nine innings because of darkness with the two clubs all even at 3 - 3. Saucier, Cece McCarron and Ed Doetzel set the stage for Messier, all preceding his at bat with 10th inning singles. Both starters, winner Al McIntosh and loser John Hampton picked up where they had left off previously on June 12.
McIntosh (W) and Doetzel
Hampton (L) and Ross, Wright (10)
In the follow-up, regularly scheduled game, the Hounds used the momentum generated from their earlier win to smother the Sioux 14 - 3. Al McIntosh got credit for his second win of the day with a five-hit, 10 strikeout effort. John Hampton was hit with his second loss of the afternoon as he was driven from driven from the mound in the 4th. Jim Lyons led the Hounds 20-hit assault with four singles. Bernie Saucier had a trio of singles, Cece McCarron a triple and single and Ed Doetzel and Denny Messier a double and single each.
Hampton (L), Bleishwitz (4), Pitzel (4), Obey (6) and Wright
McIntosh (W), Longmore (8) and Doetzel
(July 28) A 10th inning double by Lorne Humphreys plated Garry Andrews with the winning run as the Moose Jaw Regals took an 8 - 7 verdict from the Swift Current Indians in the completion of a July 12 tie game that was suspended because of darkness. Jim Fink, who entered the game in the 10th inning, got the win over Jackie McLeod.
McLeod (L) and Nybo, Schell (10)
LeBere, Mandzuk (2), Fink (W) (10) and Hunchuk
In the regularly scheduled outing, Moose Jaw's playing-manager Roland Jones, with bullpen help from Wayne LeBere in the 9th, out-dueled his Swift Current counterpart Jackie McLeod as the Regals triumphed 2 - 1. Jones, with a run-scoring double plus a single, led the regal offensive attack. Terry Burns and Ron McKechney each hit two singles for the Tribe.
McLeod (L), Sanderson (6) and Schell
Jones (W) and Hunchuk
(July 29) Larry Bachiu of the Regina Red Sox has taken over the lead in the Southern League batting race with an impressive .371 average. Teammate Luke Moser is second with a .357 mark. Veteran Wally Blaisdell of the Moose Jaw Regals with a .352 average has moved up into third spot.
Top Ten Batters
Larry Bachiu (Regina Red Sox) 26 - 70 .371
Luke Moser (Regina Red Sox) 25 - 70 .357
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Regals) 19 - 54 .352
Bob Lewis (Swift Current Indians) 23 - 66 .348
George Pirie (Melville Millionaires) 21 - 63 .333
Rollie Wilcox (Melville Millionaires) 20 - 60 .333
Gary Franklin (Regina Red Sox) 21 - 65 .323
Gord Johnson (Melville Millionaires) 20 - 62 .322
Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) 14 - 44 .318
Jerry Norick (Notre Dame Hounds) 16 - 52 .308
At Bats - Fran Huck (Regina Red Sox) - 87
Runs - Moser - 24
Hits - Bachiu - 26
Doubles - Terry Wasley (Moose Jaw Regals), Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Regals) and Ed Doetzel (Notre Dame Hounds) - all tied with 5
Triples - Bachiu, Ed Stefureak (Regina Red Sox) and Stu Millard (Swift Current Indians) - all tied with 2
Home Runs - Stefureak - 4
(July 30) The Moose Jaw Regals kept pace with the Melville Millionaires for top spot in the Southern League with a 4 - 1 victory over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. It was the first victory for the Regals in five starts this season over the Fort. Southpaw Wayne LeBere tossed a four-hitter to get the win over Lorne Houk. The win was LeBere's 5th of the campaign without a loss. Terry Wasley had a perfect four for four, all singles, for the Regals. Fort Qu'Appelle's Bill Seymour had the only extra-base hit of the game, a double.
Houk (L) and Wright
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(July 30) The Melville Millionaires, behind the sparkling relief performance of right-hander Don Gelowitz. retained their slim lead atop the Southern League by stoning the Regina Red Sox 12 - 5. Gelowitz, who came on in the 2nd inning with one out and the bases loaded, snuffed out a potential Red Sox rally and surrendered but two hits the rest of the game, at one point retiring 14 Regina batters in a row. Ron Vandale worked eight innings on the slab for the Crimson Hose and was tagged with the loss. Melville's Rollie Wilcox put the game out of reach for the Sox when he unloaded a grand-slam inside-the-park home run in the 8th. Mel Biro socked a triple and single for the Moneymen while Barry Trapp and Bev Hickie both had two singles. Luke Moser hit a double and single for the Reginans and Gary Franklin singled twice.
Loster, Gelowitz (W) (3) and Johnson
Vandale (L), Sim (9) and McNabb
(July 31) The Regina Red Sox captured the completion of a July 23 tie game with Fort Qu'Appelle, which had to be called by darkness, by tallying an 11th inning run to win a 5 - 4 squeaker. Luke Moser's single in the 2nd extra frame drove in the winning run. John Hampton, who had pitched the first nine innings of the suspended game for the Sioux crew, again took the hill and was hit with the loss. Al Ash, who had entered the July 23 game in the 9th, picked up where he left off and pitched the two extra innings to get the win.
Hampton (L) and Ross, Wright (10)
Bellegarde, Vandale (6), Ash (W) (9) and Bachiu, Ruhr (10)
Both Ash and Hampton then took the mound for the regular scheduled game and both pitched complete games as the Red Sox prevailed 7 - 1. First baseman Ed Stefureak was the top batsman for Regina with two singles and two RBI's. The Sioux out-hit the Sox 9 - 6 but also committed five errors. Left fielder Duane Ring and second baseman Duane Williams each had a double and single for Fort Qu'Appelle. Hampton kicked in with two singles.
Hampton (L) and Wright
Ash (W) and Ruhr
(July 31) The Moose Jaw Regals took over the lead position in the Southern League by defeating the former leaders, the Melville Millionaires, 8 - 3. Wally Blaisdell struck out nine and gave up three hits in sending the Millionaires and starter Darcy Loster down to defeat. Lorne Humphreys was the top batter for Moose Jaw with a circuit-clout and a single. Don Laube matched the feat for the Moneymen. The game ended prematurely in the bottom of the 8th as darkness set in.
Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk
Loster (L), Powell (5) and Johnson
(July 31) The Swift Current Indians strengthened their hold on the 4th and final playoff spot in the Southern League by defeating the Notre Dame Hounds 4 - 2. Merv Sanderson tossed a seven-hitter for the win over Phil Resch who also gave up seven safeties. Mike Gallagher was the best hitter for Swift Current with two hits. Stu Millard swiped three bases for the Tribe, including home once. Catcher Ed Doetzel and Denny Messier were the top batsmen for the Hounds, both with a double and a single.
Resch (L) and Doetzel
Sanderson (W) and McConnell
(August 1) The Swift Current Indians moved to within a half game of third place in the Southern League when they scored a 3 - 0 victory over the Regina Red Sox in a game halted after seven innings because of rain. The Indians broke a scoreless deadlock with an unearned run in the 6th and pushed across two more in the 7th and final frame. Mike Gallagher allowed three hits and picked up his 4th win against three losses in going the route for Swift Current. Bob Wright was the loser. Ron McKechney hit two singles to lead the Indians attack.
Gallagher (W) and McConnell
B. Wright (L) and Ruhr
(August 1) The Melville Millionaires kept their hopes of a first-place finish alive, pounding out a lop-sided 19 - 3, 8-inning victory over the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians. Don Laube and Jerry Walker each slugged two home runs to lead the Millionaires' 21-hit onslaught. Daryl Patterson got the pitching win over Bert Pitzel. Fort Qu'Appelle had only two hits in the entire game. George Pirie and Brian Hicke each collected a trio of singles for the Moneymen. Gord Johnson hit two doubles while Herm Weitzel and Mel Biro had two singles apiece.
Pitzel (L), Obey (6) and Seymour, Lypka (6)
Patterson (W), Richards (6) and Johnson, Weitzel (7)
(August 2) The Moose Jaw Regals padded their first place margin in the Southern League by whipping the Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 4. Right-hander Dick Mandzuk, who worked eight frames, was the winner. Al McIntosh went all the way for the Dogs in absorbing the setback. Barrie Day paced the Regal attack with a pair of two-run singles. Denny Williams socked a double and single. Ed Bearss was the best hitter for the Hounds with a homer and single.
McIntosh (L) and Doetzel
Mandzuk (W), Pettapiece (9), Fink (9) and Davis
(August 3) The Swift Current Indians dropped the Melville Millionaires 6 - 5 in the opener of a weekend twin bill in the Frontier City as Chuck Holdaway made his first start of the season for the Indians a successful one in besting Melville reliever Don Gelowitz.
Loster, Gelowitz (L) (7) and Johnson
Holdaway (W), Sanderson (8) and Schell
(August 4) The Moose Jaw Regals, defending champions, moved to within a game of clinching first place in the Southern League when they clipped the cellar-dwelling Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 4 - 1. Wayne LeBere spaced four hits to lead the Regals to the win, his 6th against no losses. John Hampton went the route for Fort Qu'Appelle and took the loss. Veteran Wally Blaisdell had a two-run homer and single for the Regals. Catcher Irwin Wright had two singles for the Sioux.
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
Hampton (L) and Wright
(August 4) Down 6 - 0 after six innings, the Regina Red Sox roared back to down the Notre Dame Hounds 11 - 8. The Reginans hammered loser Phil Resch and reliever Hugh Carr for four runs in the 7th, four in the 8th and three in the 9th to give the come-from-behind win to Gene Yellowega. Ed Stefureak led the Red Stockings' offensive output with a two-run homer, a double and a single. Richie Dukes had a double and two singles for the Hounds. Hugh Huck, Denny Messier and Resch all had a pair of hits for Notre Dame, one of Huck's being a double.
Ash, Yellowega (W) (6), Vandale (9), B. Wright (9) and Bachiu
Resch (L), Carr (8) and Doetzel
(August 4) The Swift Current Indians won their second of the weekend from the Melville Millionaires, whipping the Moneymen 15 - 8. The weekend sweep solidified the Tribe's hold on second place in the Southern League. Jackie McLeod picked up the win over Don Gelowitz, who was hit with his second weekend loss.
Gelowitz (L), Loster (5), Powell (7) and Johnson
Karbashewski, McLeod (W) (3) and Schell, Nybo (9)
Standings as of end of August 4
Moose Jaw Regals 18 - 9 .667
Swift Current Indians 14 - 10 .583
Melville Millionaires 15 - 11 .577
Regina Red Sox 16 - 12 .571
Notre Dame Hounds 7 - 14 .333
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 7 - 21 .250
(August 5) The Notre Dame Hounds played the role of spoilers by tripping up the Moose Jaw Regals 5 - 3. The result kept the Regals from wrapping up the league pennant. Lanky Al McIntosh threw a five-hitter at Moose Jaw to pick up his 4th win since joining the Hounds from Melville earlier in the season. Wally Blaisdell, driven from the mound in the initial frame, was slammed with the loss. Hugh Huck paced the Notre Dame offense with a home run and two singles. Cece McCarron socked a double and single for the Dogs while Jim Lyons had two singles. Blaisdell hit a double and single for the Regals.
Blaisdell (L), Fink (1) and Hunchuk, Davis (6)
McIntosh (W) and Doetzel
(August 7) The Melville Millionaires kept their hopes of capturing the Southern League pennant alive when they trounced the league-leading Moose Jaw Regals 9 - 1 behind the four-hit , 10 strikeout pitching effort of Daryl Patterson. The victory moved Melville to within a game of the Regals. Moose Jaw playing-manager Roland Jones was tagged with the setback. Barry Trapp led the Millionaires with a homer and two singles. Bev Hickie singled twice. Terry Wasley accounted for half the Regal hits with a double and single.
Patterson (W) and Johnson, Wilcox (5)
Jones (L), Mandzuk (4) and Hunchuk
(August 9) Lorne Houk hurled a brilliant two-hit shutout as the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians up-ended the Melville Millionaires 8 - 0. Darcy Loster, who walked four batters in the 2/3 of an inning that he worked on the hill, was the losing chucker. Houk aided his own cause by poking out a double and single at the plate. Stu Willison and Alex Lypka both singled twice for the Sioux crew.
Loster (L), Powell (1) and Johnson
Houk (W) and Wright
(August 9) The Moose Jaw Regals captured the Southern League pennant when they walloped the Notre Dame Hounds 8 - 1 behind the superb six-hit pitching of Wayne LeBere. It was LeBere's 7th win against no defeats which wrapped up the league pitching title. The Regals' lefthander also paced his club's 12-hit attack off the slants of loser Phil Resch, along with Denny Williams, as they both pounded out a double and single. Barrie Day, Wally Blaisdell and Brian Keegan all singled twice. Jerry Norick had a double and single for the Hounds. The game was the final one for Moose Jaw playing-manager Roland Jones who will be leaving for his home in Texas to resume employment as a high school physical education director. Veteran catcher George Hunchuk will handle the club for the playoffs.
LeBere (W) and Davis
Resch (L) and Doetzel
(August 10) The Swift Current Indians moved closer to clinching second place in the Southern League by defeating the Regina Red Sox 6 - 2 in a seven-inning, darkness-shortened affair. The Indians came back to erase a 2 - 1 Red Sox lead by scoring five runs in the 6th inning. Merv Sanderson went the distance for Swift Current to get the win. Regina's Bob Wright was hit with the setback. Stu Millard, Ron McKechney, Terry Burns and Chuck Holdaway each hit two singles for the Tribe. Larry Bachiu led the Sox at the dish with a double and a pair of singles while Luke Moser singled twice.
B. Wright (L), Bellegarde (6) and McNabb
Sanderson (W) and Schell
(August 10) The Notre Dame Hounds dropped an 8 - 2 decision to the Melville Millionaires in the opening game of a two-game weekend set for the two Southern League clubs. Darcy Loster struck out 13 while limiting the Hounds to four safeties in picking up the win. Hugh Carr went the distance for Notre Dame and took the loss. Rollie Wilcox socked a double and two singles for the winners while Mel Biro and Brian Hicke each singled twice. Herm Weitzel cranked out a two-run dinger for Melville. Jerry Norick had a double and single to lead the Dogs with the bat.
Carr (L) and Doetzel
Loster (W) and Johnson
(August 11) The Swift Current Indians clinched second place in the Southern League by whipping the Regina Red Sox in the finale of their weekend series. The Indians plated nine runs in the 2nd inning to virtually wrap up the verdict. Mike Gallagher got the pitching decision over Alex Bellegarde. Gus Twamley hit a double and single for the winners. Al Schell chipped in with two singles. Murray Jenkins clouted a three-run homer in the 5th for the Redlegs. Infielder Fran Huck had a double and single.
Bellegarde (L), Sim (2), Vandale (2), Homme (8) and McNabb
Holdaway, Gallagher (W) (2) and Schell, McConnell (4)
(August 11) Al McIntosh, a Millionaire cast-off, came back to haunt his former mates as he pitched a complete game victory in leading the Notre Dame Hounds to a 5 - 3 win over Melville in the final game of the Southern League regular season. McIntosh struck out eight in besting Millionaires' starter Brian Richards. Hugh Huck and Jerry Norick both hit two singles for the Hounds. Darcy Loster clubbed a two-run homer plus a single for the Moneymen.
McIntosh (W) and Doetzel
Richards (L), Gelowitz (3) and Johnson
Final Standings
Moose Jaw Regals 19 - 11 .633
Swift Current Indians 16 - 10 .615
Melville Millionaires 17 - 13 .567
Regina Red Sox 16 - 14 .533
Notre Dame Hounds 9 - 16 .360
Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians 8 - 21 .276
The Moose Jaw Regals will meet the Melville Millionaires in one best-of-five semi-final while the Regina Red Sox will play against the Swift Current Indians in the other.
PLAY-OFFS
(August 14) The Moose Jaw Regals and Melville Millionaires fought to a scoreless draw in the opener of their playoff series as Moose Jaw's Wayne LeBere and Melville's Daryl Patterson were masters of the evening. The game never stretched beyond nine innings as darkness set in and halted further play. LeBere gave up just one hit and fanned 13 while Patterson yielded three safeties and struck out 19.
Patterson and Johnson
LeBere and Hunchuk
(August 14) The Swift Current Indians and Regina Red Sox battled to a 4 - 4 tie in game one of their Southern League semi-final series. Al Ash went all the way for Regina while Merv Sanderson pitched 8 2/3 innings for Speedy Creek. Larry Bachiu was the top batter for the Crimson Hose with a single, double and three-run homer. Lionel Ruhr and Fran Huck were next best with a brace of singles each. Gus Twamley was the top offensive performer for the Tribe with a trio of one-baggers.
Ash and McNabb
Sanderson, McLeod (9) and Nybo
(August 16) The Moose Jaw Regals jumped into a one game lead in the best-of-five semi-final with the Melville Millionaires by defeating the Moneymen 7 - 3 in a seven-inning darkness-shortened game. Wally Blaisdell out-dueled Darcy Loster for the pitching win. Lorne Humphreys had a double and two singles for Moose Jaw. Jim Pettapiece followed with a double and single. Rollie Wilcox and Gord Johnson both poled bases-empty homers for Melville.
Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk
Loster (L) and Johnson
(August 17) The Swift Current Indians took a one-game lead in their semi-final series by downing the Regina Red Sox 6 - 1 as Jackie McLeod went the route for the pitching win. Al Ash was tagged with the loss. Ron McKechney was the big gun at the plate for the Tribe, slapping out three singles. Terry Burns followed with a pair. Ed Stefureak hit a double and single for Regina while Luke Moser and Gary Franklin each picked up a brace of one-baggers.
McLeod (W) and Nybo
Ash (L), Homme (5), Yellowega (5) and McNabb
(August 18) The Melville Millionaires squared their best-of-five semi-final with the Moose Jaw Regals at one game apiece by downing the Regals 4 - 2 before 1,200 fans. Daryl Patterson struck out 13 while giving up six hits in garnering the complete game win. Wayne LeBere, knocked from the hill in the 2nd frame, was the loser. Catcher Gord Johnson was the best hitter for Melville with a double and two singles. Darcy Loster came through with a double and single. Brian Keegan and Lorne Humphreys each notched a pair of singles for the losers.
Patterson (W) and Johnson
LeBere (L), Mandzuk (2) and Hunchuk
(August 18) The Swift Current Indians grabbed a two-game semi-final lead over the Regina Red Sox by edging the Reginans 9 - 8 as Merv Sanderson got the pitching win over Gene Yellowega. Ron McKechney shone with the bat for Swift Current with two singles and three RBI's. Bob Lewis followed with a double and single. Ed Stefureak drilled a three-run homer for the Red Sox . Morris McNabb had a double and single while Murray Jenkins added two singles for the Red Stockings.
B. Wright, Yellowega (L) (1), Floyd (5), Homme (6) and Bachiu
Gallagher, Millard (3), Sanderson (W) (5) and Nybo
(August 20) The Moose Jaw Regals moved to within one game of winning a berth in the Southern League finals by blanking the Melville Millionaires 3 - 0. Wally Blaisdell hurled the shut-out win for the Mill City crew, giving up five hits and whiffing six. Don Gelowitz started and lost for the Millionaires in his seven innings on the hill. Moose Jaw scored all three runs on errors in the first two innings.
Blaisdell (W) and Hunchuk
Gelowitz (L), Richards (8) and Johnson
(August 21) The Swift Current Indians and Regina Red Sox battled to the second draw in their semi-final series, this time a 6 - 6 stalemate. The Red Sox avoided elimination, scoring the tying marker in the bottom of the 8th when Luke Moser crossed the plate on Ed Stefureak's single. Regina out-hit the Indians 10 - 9. Murray Jenkins, Fran Huck, Stefureak and Moser all had two singles for the Red Sox. Terry Burns was Swift Current's top offensive producer with a double and single. Rick Sentes and Stu Millard were close behind, both with a brace of singles.
Gallagher, Sanderson (7) and Nybo
Ash and Bachiu
(August 21) The Moose Jaw Regals captured a place in the Southern League final by trouncing the Melville Millionaires 12 - 5 to win the best-of-five series three games to one with one game tied. Jim Fink relieved Regals' starter Dick Mandzuk in the 4th inning with one out and worked on the hill until the 7th to get credit for the win. Melville starter and loser Daryl Patterson got off to a slow start and was hampered by arm trouble. The Moneymen out-hit Moose Jaw 11 - 8. Denny Williams was the only Regal player with two hits, both singles. Don Laube belted two home runs and a double for the losers. Don Gelowitz had a double and single with Barry Trapp and Darcy Loster each getting two singles.
Patterson (L), Loster (3) and Johnson, Wilcox
Mandzuk, Fink (W) (4), LeBere (7) and Hunchuk
(August 24) The Regina Red Sox stayed alive in their Southern League semi-final series by romping over the Swift Current Indians 13 - 6 in seven innings. The Red Sox now trail in the series two games to one. Doug Homme went the distance in hurling the Red Sox victory. Jackie McLeod started on the hill for the Indians and was the loser. Ed Stefureak was the top batter for the Reginans with three doubles and a single. Larry Bachiu was next best with two doubles and a single. Bob Lewis was the top batsman for the Tribe with a home run and two-bagger.
Homme (W) and Bachiu
McLeod (L), Holdaway (4), Millard (5) and Nybo
(August 25) The Swift Current Indians and Regina Red Sox are all deadlocked at two games each in their semi-final series as the Red Stockings took their second in a row from the Indians, winning 7 - 3. Al Ash went the route for the Sox in their series-tying triumph. Indians' starter Merv Sanderson took the loss. Murray Jenkins and Gary Franklin each connected for home runs for the Redlegs. Jenkins also added a single. Lionel Ruhr was the top hitter for Regina with three singles. Stu Millard of the Tribe matched Ruhr's feat in a losing cause. Al Schell homered for the Indians and Ron McKechney pounded two singles.
Sanderson (L), Karbashewski (6) and Schell
Ash (W) and Bachiu
(August 26) The Regina Red Sox pulled out all the stops but it wasn't enough as the Swift Current Indians prevailed 9 - 6 in the 7th game of what was to have been a best-of-five semi-final series. Jackie McLeod, the old war horse, hurled the last part of the match in relief of Indians' starter Mike Gallagher, to pick up the win. Al Ash, the second of three Regina chuckers, took the loss. Terry Burns led the Tribe from the batter's box with a double and single. Bob Lewis and Ron McKechney both singled twice. Al Schell whacked a three-run homer for Speedy Creek. Lionel Ruhr and Morris McNabb each had two singles for the Sox in the eight inning, darkness-shortened affair while Luke Moser drilled a home run. The Indians will now take on the Moose Jaw Regals in a best-of-five final series.
B. Wright, Ash (L) (2), Homme (6) and Bachiu
Gallagher, McLeod (W) (5) and Nybo
(August 28) A five-run 3rd inning propelled the Moose Jaw Regals to a 5 - 3 win over the Swift Current Indians in the opening game of the Southern League finals. Lefthander Wayne LeBere, who was 7 - 0 as the league's top regular season hurler, got the win over Swift Current starter Bill Karbashewski. The Indians out-hit the Regals 11 - 8 in the eight inning game, shortened by darkness. Denny Williams with two singles was the only Moose Jaw player with a multi-hit game. Terry Burns and Ron McKechney each hit a double and single for the Indians. Gus Twamley and Rick Sentes followed with two singles each.
Karbashewski (L), Millard (3) and Nybo
LeBere (W), Mandzuk (7) and Hunchuk
(August 30) Wally Blaisdell, outfielder and pitcher with the Moose Jaw Regals, is the 1963 Southern League batting champion. Final statistics released today show the veteran diamond performer with a gaudy .373 average. The runner-up position went to Gary Franklin of the Regina Red Sox who finished with a .363 average. Larry Bachiu of the Red Sox was third, coming in with a .360 mark.
Top Ten Batters
Wally Blaisdell (Moose Jaw Regals) 31 - 83 .373
Gary Franklin (Regina Red Sox) 29 - 80 .363
Larry Bachiu (Regina Red Sox) 31 - 86 .360
Bob Lewis (Swift Current Indians) 35 - 100 .350
Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians) 27 - 79 .342
George Pirie (Melville Millionaires) 35 - 106 .330
Luke Moser (Regina Red Sox) 32 - 98 .327
Gord Johnson (Melville Millionaires) 27 - 85 .318
Ed Stefureak (Regina Red Sox) 34 - 108 .315
Barry Trapp (Melville Millionaires) 27 - 86 .314
At Bats - Lorne Humphreys (Moose Jaw Regals) - 120
Runs - Moser - 33
Hits - Lewis and Pirie - tied with 35
Doubles - Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Regals) - 8
Triples - Mel Biro (Melville Millionaires) - 3
Home Runs - Stefureak and Jerry Walker (Melville Millionaires) - tied with 5
(August 31) The Swift Current Indians evened the count in the best-of-five final series by dropping the Moose Jaw Regals 7 - 3. In spite of out-hitting the Indians 12 - 3, the Regals struggled to drive in runners in scoring position. The Tribe's Merv Sanderson pitched the entire game to get the win and tie the series. Moose Jaw's Wally Blaisdell took the loss as he was driven from the slab in the initial frame when the Indians struck for three runs. Ron McKechney's two doubles led the Swift Current offense. Garry Andrews homered with the bases empty for the Regals. Terry Wasley rapped three singles while George Hunchuk, Barrie Day and Denny Williams each had a pair.
Blaisdell (L), Fink (1) and Hunchuk
Sanderson (W) and Nybo
(September 1) The Moose Jaw Regals took a 2 to 1 lead in the Southern League best-of-five final by edging the Swift Current Indians 4 - 3 before 1,200 spectators. Dick Mandzuk, with bullpen assistance from Wayne LeBere in the 8th, got the pitching victory. Stu Millard, Swift Current's regular shortstop, went the distance for the Indians in taking the loss. Second baseman Lorne Humphreys led the Regals at the plate with a pair of doubles. Barrie Day and Terry Wasley both singled twice. Terry Burns and Ron McKechney each rapped out two singles for the Tribe.
Millard (L) and Nybo
Mandzuk (W), LeBere (8) and Hunchuk
(September 3) The Swift Current Indians knotted the best-of-five Southern League final at two games apiece when they edged the Moose Jaw Regals 4 - 3 behind the sound four-hit pitching of playing-manager Jackie McLeod. The southpaw veteran withstood a shaky start, which saw Moose Jaw move ahead 3 - 0 after three innings, to strike out 10 and square the final. Moose Jaw starter and loser Jim Fink was driven from the slab in the 5th when the Indians scored their four runs. The game was called after 7 1/2 innings because of darkness. Swift Current catcher Harvey Nybo led the Tribe at the dish with a double and two singles. Ron McKechney belted a double and single.
Fink (L), LeBere (5) and Hunchuk
McLeod (W) and Nybo
(September 4) The Swift Current Indians, behind the strong-armed one-hit chucking effort of Merv Sanderson, captured the Southern League crown when they blanked the Moose Jaw Regals 3 - 0 before 1,100 fans. Sanderson had a no-hit bid spoiled by a broken-bat infield single by Moose Jaw's Wally Blaisdell in the 7th. Starter Dick Mandzuk of the Regals was tagged with the setback. Playing-manager Jackie McLeod and catcher Harvey Nybo led the Tribe's nine-hit offense with a double and single apiece. The Indians broke up a scoreless duel in the 7th, pushing two runs across. They added another run in the 9th.
Sanderson (W) and Nybo
Mandzuk (L), LeBere (7), Fink (9) and Hunchuk
(September 4) Wayne LeBere of the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Regals has captured the "Doc" Hughes memorial trophy awarded annually to the Southern League's top pitcher. LeBere, a southpaw, chalked up a seven wins and no losses record. He worked 66 2/3 innings allowing just 18 runs in the process. Runner-up was Al Ash of the Regina Red Sox with a 7 - 2 record. Darcy Loster of the Melville Millionaires finished third with a 6 - 2 record.
Individual Pitching Leaders
Innings pitched - Lorne Houk (Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians) - 93
Most Runs Allowed - Phil Resch (Notre Dame Hounds) - 52
Most Hits Surrendered - Ash - 99
Most Walks Issued - Loster - 63
Strikeouts - Daryl Patterson (Melville Millionaires) - 95
(September 27) Wally Blaisdell of the Moose Jaw Regals has been named the Southern League's Most-Valuable Player for 1963. Blaisdell will take possession of the Heinie Rogers memorial trophy won last season by Ed Stefureak of the Regina Red Sox. Hugh Huck, center fielder of the Notre Dame Hounds, was second in the balloting by managers and coaches in the 6-team circuit. Larry Bachiu of the Regina Red Sox placed third.
Gord Johnson of the third-place Melville Millionaires was named the league's best catcher as per voting by league officials.
A three-way tie has emerged for the Southern League's 1963 rookie-of-the-year honor. At the close of league voting, Rick Sentes of the Swift Current Indians, Rollie Wilcox of the Melville Millionaires and Stu Willison of the Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians were deadlocked. The Father Athol Murray trophy will be shared by the triumvirate.