1965 was the Southern League's thirty-third year of operation. For the first time since the World War II era, the Southern circuit shrunk to a four team league. Last season's two weak sisters, the Yorkton Elks and Fort Qu'Appelle Sioux Indians, withdrew. The remaining quartet of franchises, already highly competitive, became even stronger as a number of the select players from the dissolved clubs were swallowed up. On the pitching staff of the Swift Current Indians was a young local player and future major leaguer, Reggie Cleveland.
(May 27) Crafty portsider Wayne LeBere was the guiding light in the opener of the 1965 Southern League as he fanned seven and gave up only four hits in a complete game mound performance which saw his Moose Jaw Regals turn back the defending champion Regina Red Sox 2 - 1 at Ross Wells Park. Young Sox' right-hander Gord Clarke also gave up but four hits but was saddled with the defeat. LeRoy Doster's 4th inning double drove in LeBere with the run that proved to be the winner. Ed Stefureak of Regina was the only batter on either team with a brace of raps, collecting two singles.
Clarke (L) and Bachiu
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(May 29) The Regina Red Sox downed the Melville Millionaires 6 - 5 in a 6-inning darkness-shortened thriller in the first of a weekend series in Melville. Pinch-hitter Duane Williams' bases-loaded double in the 6th drove in two runs including the winner. Sophomore chucker Ken Simon got the win in relief of starter Danny Fink. Moe Fleischhaker and Warren Kivell had two singles each for the Red Stockings while Cliff Mein rapped a pair of doubles for the Moneymen.
Fink, Simon (5) (W) and Bachiu
Modrell (L), Thompson (3) and Wilcox
(May 30) Rookie Wayne Meyers was pounded for three doubles in the 1st inning but settled down to pitch a complete game four-hitter in leading the Swift Current Indians to a 7 - 2 win over the Moose Jaw Regals. The Regals' starter and loser was Paul Longmore who made his exit in the 7th in favor of Dick Mandzuk. Meyers' battery mate, Harvey Nybo, collected three hits for the Indians including a home run. Second sacker Ron McKechney and outfielder Bob Lewis each had two singles. Garry Andrews with a double and single paced the Regals at the plate.
W. Meyers (W) and Nybo
Longmore (L), Mandzuk (7) and Mackey
(May 30) The Regina Red Sox drubbed the Melville Millionaires 11 - 3 to sweep the weekend series with their hosts. Rookie Fred Cardwell whiffed 14 batters to get his first Southern League win. Cardwell surrendered five hits, one being a three-run homer to losing pitcher Cliff Mein. Moe Fleischhaker and Ed Stefureak each had a brace of one-baggers for the Redlegs.
Cardwell (W) and Bachiu
Mein (L), Merchenko (6), Werchler (7), Biro (8) and Wilcox
(June 5) Southpaw Wayne LeBere tossed a masterful five-hitter while whiffing ten to propel the Moose Jaw Regals to a 5 - 1 victory over the visiting Melville Millionaires in the opener of a weekend double-bill. Playing coach Gary Modrell went the distance for the Moneymen. It was his second loss as well as LeBere's second triumph. LeBere helped his own cause offensively by drilling a pair of singles.
Modrell (L) and Nelson
LeBere (W) and Hunchuk
(June 6) The Moose Jaw Regals erupted for three runs in the 6th inning and went on to defeat the Melville Millionaires 8 - 2 to sweep their weekend twin-bill. Barrie Day, pinch-hitting for starting and winning pitcher Jim Pettapiece, drilled a two-out, 6th inning single to right field to drive in a pair of tallies and break a 2 - 2 deadlock. Loser Cliff Mein went seven frames for the Moneymen before leaving the hill. First baseman Brian Keegan of the Mill City crew had a double and single to set the pace with the willow. Teammate LeRoy Doster kicked in with two singles which produced four RBI's.
Mein (L), B. Sobkow (7) and Nelson
Pettapiece (W), Heron (7) and Mackey
(June 6) Ken Simon made it look simple in posting his second hill victory of the season as the Regina Red Sox thumped the Swift Current Indians 12 - 2 in a game contrasted by seven frames of sunshine and two innings of steady drizzle. Three double plays and some lusty hitting by his teammates helped the sophomore right-hander hurl the complete game. Right-hander Jerry Ranger, the Tribe starter, was the loser. Stocky Red Sox' outfielder Warren Kivell was the game's leading hitter, slamming two doubles and a single. Simon contributed to the 13-hit offensive surge with a triple and single.
Ranger (L), Martinson (2), McLeod (6) and Nybo, Young (4)
Simon (W) and Bachiu
(June 10) Dapper Danny Fink, the curler turned pitcher, had trouble hitting the broom - or plate - but emerged a winner just the same. Although walking 10 batters, Fink yielded only four hits as the Regina Red Sox coasted to a never-in-doubt 10 - 4 victory over the Melville Millionaires in Southern League action. The loser was Millionaires' sophomore lefthander Billy Sobkow out of Fresno State. Red Sox' catcher Larry Bachiu was the game's leading swatter, slapping out a double and two singles. Gene Yellowega drove in four tallies for Regina with a three-bagger and single.
B. Sobkow (L), Ortynsky (3), Werchler (8) and Nelson
Fink (W) and Bachiu, Jackson (7)
(June 10) In his first appearance as a starter on the mound this season, Jackie McLeod tamed the Moose Jaw Regals as his Swift Current Indians shellacked the homesters 13 - 2. McLeod pitched to all but two batters in this 8-inning contest, striking out six along the way as he had the Regals swinging off their toes with his medley of heat and off-speed slants. The veteran southpaw also aided his own cause at the dish with three singles. Loser Wayne LeBere left in the 4th inning after giving up five runs. Redskins' second sacker Ron McKechney shared the limelight with McLeod, belting a pair of circuit clouts as well as a double and single. Outfielder Bob Lewis also homered for the Tribe. Shortstop Clive Cory had four singles while his brother Clint had a brace. Moose Jaw's Garry Andrews lit up McLeod for a bases-empty shot in the 5th.
McLeod (W), Burns (4), McLeod (5) and Nybo, Young (7)
LeBere (L), Mandzuk (4), Heron (5) and Hunchuk
Standings as of end of June 10 W L Pct.
Regina Red Sox 4 1 .800
Swift Current Indians 2 1 .677
Moose Jaw Regals 3 2 .600
Melville Millionaires 0 5 .000
(June 12) Californian Doug Modrell marked his debut in the Southern League this season with a four-hit shutout as the Swift Current Indians trounced the Melville Millionaires 9 - 0 to mire the visiting Moneymen deeper in the circuit's cellar where they sit in solace with an 0 - 6 record. Modrell, who last season hurled for the Yorkton Elks, fanned eight in turning back the club piloted by his older brother, Gary. In this 8-inning contest, Melville lefthander Cliff Mein dropped his third decision in as many starts. Right fielder Ron Meyers was Speedy Creek's leading batter with a double and single. Shortstop Clive Cory and catcher Alex Young both singled twice. Outfielder Bev Hickie had three of the four Melville hits, one of which went for two bases.
Mein (L), Merchenko (4) and I. Wright
Modrell (W) and Young
(June 17) The Regina Red Sox scored five runs in the 6th frame and breezed along to an 8 - 4 victory over the Moose Jaw Regals in a game which featured several rhubarbs and the ejection of a Regal player. The win was the 5th straight for the Crimson Hose who have not tasted defeat since their league opener. Young Fred Cardwell went the distance for the Sox giving up four hits while striking out nine. Jim Pettapiece, the second of three Moose Jaw twirlers, took the loss. Regina right fielder Moe Fleischhaker was the top hitter in the joust with a double and single.
Heron, Pettapiece (6) (L), Doster (7) and Mackey
Cardwell (W) and Bachiu
(June 19) Lefthander Cliff Mein went the distance on the hill in pacing the Melville Millionaires to their initial win of the campaign, an 8 - 5 triumph over the visiting Moose Jaw Regals. Moose Jaw's Paul Longmore was driven to the showers in the 3rd and was hit with the loss. Mein was also potent with the stick, banging out two key doubles. Glen Bellegarde had two singles and three RBI's for the losers. Jack Whittmire, who has tentatively replaced fired import manager Gary Modrell, made his debut at the helm of the Moneymen a winning one.
Longmore (L), Doster (3) and Tollefson
Mein (W) and I. Wright
(June 20) In spite of surrendering 17 hits, Wayne LeBere went a full nine innings on the mound as the Moose Jaw Regals rebounded from their loss in the opener of a weekend set and whipped the last-place Melville Millionaires 14 - 7. After plating nine counters in the 2nd frame, the Regals nursed their huge lead and the Moneymen were never able to get close. Garry Andrews' two-run homer sparked the 2nd inning surge. Glen Bellegarde continued his fine weekend performance for the Regals by pounding out a triple, double and single. Regals' backstop Larry Tollefson contributed two doubles and a single. Stocky Gord Nelson led the Melville hitting with a solo homer and single. Mel Biro collected two singles and a double while Ted Hargreaves drilled three singles.
LeBere (W) and Tollefson
B. Wright (L), B. Sobkow (2), Thompson (7) and I. Wright
(June 20) The Swift Current Indians succeeded in knocking the Regina Red Sox out of first place in the Southern League and their ace pitcher, Doug Modrell, was a major contributing factor. Modrell earned both pitching victories as the Tribe scalped the Reginans 5 - 2 and 6 - 5 in a Sunday doubleheader in the Frontier City.
In the 7-inning opening game, Modrell fanned nine and yielded only five hits to out-duel Ken Simon. The youthful Regina right-hander was lit up for a three-run homer off the bat of outfielder Bob Lewis during a five-run Swift Current outburst in the 2nd frame.
Simon (L) and Bachiu
Modrell (W) and Nybo
The Indians sent three pitchers to the mound in the 2nd game before Modrell was put to work in the 9th. With the score tied 5 - 5, a single by Lewis followed by Ron McKechney's two-bagger, put runners at 2nd and 3rd base with one out. Clive Cory was walked intentionally to load the sacks and Lewis scored on an infield force out. Duane Williams slammed a bases-empty home run for the Sox who out-hit their hosts 11 to 10.
Clarke, Cardwell (5) (L) and Bachiu
W. Meyers, Ranger (5), McLeod (5), Modrell (9) (W) and Nybo
(June 22) The Swift Current Indians consolidated their hold on first place in the Southern League by clobbering the Moose Jaw Regals 16 - 3. The triumph moved the Tribe two games ahead of the second place Regina Red Sox. The Indians hammered two Moose Jaw pitchers for 19 hits as they breezed to victory. Jerry Ranger picked up the win for the Frontier City contingent, his second of the year against one defeat. Husky sophomore Reg Cleveland pitched the last inning for the winners. Considered to be Swift Current's hardest thrower, Cleveland tossed hitless ball during his stint. Import LeRoy Doster took the loss. Only one home run was hit in the loosely-played contest, that coming off the bat of Regals' catcher Larry Tollefson. Right fielder Ron Meyers was the top swinger for the Redskins with two doubles and a single. Rich Sentes, Clint Cory and Terry Burns each hit two singles and a double as the Indians let their bats do the talking in this one-sided encounter. Third baseman Dennis Williams accounted for three of the Regals' seven hits.
Doster (L), Pettapiece (7) and Tollefson
Ranger (W), Cleveland (9) and Nybo, Young (8)
(June 24) A potion of Doug Modrell's pitching, spread with some collective hitting, have transformed the Swift Current Indians into a fearless baseball club. Modrell was a pitcher of confidence as he took the mound before 1,200 fans at Taylor Field and kept the Red Sox at bay as the Tribe downed the Reginans 7 - 1. Ed Stefureak's bases-empty homer in the 2nd frame was the only dent in Modrell's armor. Up until the 8th inning, the Indians only led 2 - 1 as loser Fred Cardwell pitched strongly to that point. Second baseman Ron McKechney was the Indians' leading hitter with a triple and two singles in five trips.
Modrell (W) and Nybo
Cardwell (L) and Bachiu
(June 25) Lefthander Doug Homme spun a three-hitter and fanned three to pick up his first win of the season as the Regina Red Sox swamped the Moose Jaw Regals 7 - 1. Regals' starter Stu Heron, another southpaw, took the loss. The Red Sox managed only five hits off three Mill City hurlers but shoddy defensive work by the homesters did them in. No player on either team had more than one safety. Warren Kivell's double for the visiting Redlegs was the only extra-base hit of the game.
Homme (W) and Bachiu
Heron (L), Pettapiece (4), Fink (8) and Tollefson
(June 25) Statistics for the first six games for each team were released today.
Top 12 Batters AB R H Aver.
Ron McKechney (Swift Current Indians) 20 5 11 .550
Warren Kivell (Regina Red Sox) 17 6 7 .412
Ed Stefureak (Regina Red Sox) 15 5 6 .400
Clive Cory (Swift Current Indians) 24 7 9 .375
Larry Bachiu (Regina Red Sox) 19 8 6 .316
Bev Hickie (Melville Millionaires) 19 2 6 .316
LeRoy Doster (Moose Jaw Regals) 17 1 5 .294
Rich Sentes (Swift Current Indians) 21 6 6 .286
Clint Cory (Swift Current Indians) 18 3 5 .278
Garry Andrews (Moose Jaw Regals) 22 5 6 .273
Ron Meyers (Swift Current Indians) 22 4 6 .273
Runs Scored - Bachiu (Regina Red Sox) - 8
Hits - McKechney (Swift Current Indians) - 11
Doubles - Kivell (Regina Red Sox) - 3
Triples - Sentes (Swift Current), Gene Yellowega (Regina Red Sox) and Ken Simon (Regina Red Sox) - tied with 1
Home Runs - McKechney (Swift Current) and Bob Lewis (Swift Current) - tied with 2
Pitching - Doug Modrell (Swift Current Indians) 3 - 0 1.000
Strikeouts - Modrell (Swift Current) and Wayne LeBere (Moose Jaw) - tied with 19
(June 26) Fireballer Reg Cleveland pitched six solid innings of shutout ball as the Swift Current Indians dumped the Melville Millionaires 9 - 2. Marv Martinson replaced Cleveland in the 7th inning at which time the Tribe held a commanding 7 - 0 lead. Steve Sobkow, making his initial appearance on the hill for the Moneymen, went the distance in taking the loss. The game was called after 7 1/2 innings because of darkness. Ron Meyers drilled a homer and single for the winners. Clint Cory had a pair of doubles while Rick Sentes and Clive Cory both singled twice. Cliff Mein had a pair of base knocks for the Millionaires.
S. Sobkow (L) and I. Wright
Cleveland (W), Martinson (7) and Nybo, Young (6)
(June 29) In a quick paced contest at Taylor Field, the Regina Red Sox shutout the Melville Millionaires 6 - 0 as lanky right-hander Merv Froehlich made a successful mound debut for the Queen City crew, limiting the Moneymen to four singles. Melville's Wayne Thompson gave up five safeties in losing his second game in as many starts. The Sox confined their hitting to three innings and bunched their hits successfully. Redlegs' outfielder Warren Kivell touched Thompson for two singles and a double. Shortstop Ted Hargreaves was the only Millionaire to collect more than one hit off Froehlich. He hit two singles but was left stranded at first base both times.
Thompson (L) and I. Wright
Froehlich (W) and Jackson, Cooke (6)
(July 3) The Swift Current Indians exploded for nine runs in the top of the 7th inning to defeat the Moose Jaw Regals 15 - 6 in a Southern League game. The Regals were guilty of seven errors including four in the Indians' four-run 6th inning. Jerry Ranger, in relief of starter Stu Millard, picked up his 2nd mound win of the season. Ron Vandale, the latest addition to Moose Jaw's shell-shocked pitching staff, was the loser. Outfielder Bob Lewis slammed a two-run triple plus a single for the Indians. Harvey Nybo and Ron McKechney each stroked a brace of two-baggers while Clint Cory came through with a pair of singles. Outfielder Roberto Zayas led the 3rd place Regals at the dish with a triple and two singles. Third sacker Jim Booth and shortstop Dennis Williams both singled twice.
Millard, Ranger (5) (W) and Nybo
Pettapiece, Vandale (6) (L), Longmore (7) and Tollefson
(July 4) The strong pitching of right-hander Moose Jaw's Paul Longmore and the timely hitting of two teammates sparked the Southern League All-Stars to a 3 - 1 win over the league-leading Swift Current Indians in an exhibition match. Longmore checked the Indians with a five-hitter as shortstop Lionel Ruhr of the Regina Red Sox and Moose Jaw Regals' Lorne Humphreys smacked out three singles apiece. The Tribe's ace starter, Doug Modrell, holder of a 4 - 0 record in league play, took the loss.
Longmore (W) and Tollefson
Modrell (L) and Nybo
(July 6) The Melville Millionaires scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th frame to edge the Moose Jaw Regals 10 - 9 for their second win of the season. Winning pitcher Cliff Mein singled home Al Hebert from second base with the winning run. Hebert shared the hero's mantle with Mein as his 9th inning pinch-hit double plated Bev Hickie with the tying marker. Shortstop Ted Hargreaves and second baseman Harvey Whittmire each hit a pair of doubles to lead the Millionaires 12-hit attack off loser Stu Heron. Mel Biro, Stu Willison and Mein had two singles apiece. Moose Jaw catcher George Hunchuk had a triple.
Heron (L) and Hunchuk
Mein (W) and I. Wright
(July 6) In probably the most exciting Southern League game of the season, the Swift Current Indians squeaked past the Regina Red Sox 3 - 2 on Ladies' night at Taylor Field. The victory was the 9th straight for the red-hot Tribe. Reg Cleveland, a burly 6 foot 4 inch right-hander, fanned six and walked only one to earn the victory. The Indians scored single runs in both the 8th and 9th innings to pull out the victory. Both clubs had six base hits.
Cleveland (W) and Nybo
Simon (L), Clarke (9) and Jackson
(July 8) The Regina Red Sox put on a show of power as they dismantled the struggling Melville Millionaires 10 - 1 in a long drawn-out game at Taylor Field. Red Sox' second baseman Al Herback was the game's offensive star singling in his first three times to the plate and driving in three runs. The Sox played errorless ball in backing winner Gord Clarke and reliever Doug Homme. Six runs in the 2nd inning did in loser Billy Sobkow. Warren Kivell had a double and triple for the Red Stockings and big Ed Stefureak drilled his 3rd homer of the campaign. The Millionaires' top swatter was first baseman Cliff Mein who rapped two singles.
B. Sobkow (L), Hebert (2), B. Wright (7) and I. Wright
Clarke (W), Homme (6) and Jackson, Cooke (6)
(July 8) The Moose Jaw Regals were vicious in the Frontier City as they thumped the league-leading Swift Current Indians 13 - 0 in a one-sided Southern League affair. The third-place Regals crushed the Tribe with a 12-hit attack, driving Swift Current pitching ace Doug Modrell from the hill in the 8th and pinning him with his first loss of the season. Up until the 5th inning, the contest was tight but Garry Andrews broke the game wide open by touching Modrell for a three-run homer. Lefthander Wayne LeBere fired a four-hitter to win the battle of the league's pitching giants. Both LeBere and Modrell now have identical 4 - 1 hurling records. Roberto Zayas had a double off Modrell and also belted a two-run homer in the 9th off Jerry Ranger.
LeBere (W) and Andrews
Modrell (L), Ranger (8) and Nybo
(July 10) Steady pitching by lefthander Cliff Mein allowed the Melville Millionaires to score a 6 - 3 victory over the league-leading Swift Current Indians in weekend Southern League action. Flame throwing right-hander Reg Cleveland of the Tribe was sent to the showers by the Moneymen in the 6th as he absorbed the defeat. Stu Willison of the Millionaires had a pair of singles off Cleveland's slants plus a home run in the 8th off Jackie McLeod. Gord Nelson and catcher Irwin Wright followed with a double and single each with Nelson's total accounting for four RBI's. Ron McKechney pounded a round-tripper and a two-bagger in leading the Redskins at the dish. Leadoff batter Clive Cory and outfielder Bob Lewis kicked in with a brace of singles each.
Cleveland (L), McLeod (6) and Nybo
Mein (W) and I. Wright
Standings as of end of July 10 W L Pct.
Swift Current Indians 10 3 .776
Regina Red Sox 10 5 .667
Moose Jaw Regals 6 8 .428
Melville Millionaires 3 11 .214
(July 14) Fred Cardwell was summoned from the Regina Red Sox' bullpen in the 8th inning at Taylor Field and he promptly retired the next six Moose Jaw Regals to save a 5 - 4 Southern League victory for the Sox and winning pitcher Ken Simon. John Cooke's 6th inning sacrifice fly drove home the winning run and pinned the loss on Regals' reliever Paul Longmore. Shortstop Lionel Ruhr and Cooke each hit a pair of singles for the victorious Redlegs.
LeBere, Longmore (6) (L), Vandale (8) and Tollefson
Simon (W), Cardwell (8) and Cooke
(July 15) Portsider Cliff Mein sparked the Melville Millionaires to a 5 - 4 win over the Moose Jaw Regals in a Southern League game at Ross Wells Park. Mein, who really bore down in the crucial late innings, pitched a seven-hitter and fanned five in taking the decision over big Jim Pettapiece. Bev Hickie had a 330 foot dinger for the Moneymen. Teammate Gord Nelson hit two singles. Catcher Larry Tollefson drilled a 340 foot home run for the Regals. Herb Lovett had a triple and single while Roberto Zayas added two singles.
Mein (W) and I. Wright
Pettapiece (L), Fink (4) and Tollefson
(July 16) The resurgent Melville Millionaires rallied for two runs in the 9th inning for a 6 - 5 win over the Regina Red Sox in Southern League action. It was the 3rd straight win for the Moneymen who still occupy last place in the four-team loop. Bob Wright, who relieved newly arrived import Ken Ratchford in the 7th, was the winner. Doug Homme, in a 9th inning relief role, was stung with the loss. Cliff Mein's single drove in Don Laube with the winning run. Laube had previously doubled driving in the tying marker. Mein had another single plus a double to go along with his game-winning hit in pacing the Melville batters. John Cooke and Gene Yellowega each had a single and double for the Reginans.
Clarke, Homme (9) (L) and Cooke
Ratchford, B. Wright (7) (W) and I. Wright
(July 18) Jim Fink spent 7 2/3 innings in the shade of the dugout before stepping into the limelight for the Moose Jaw Regals. Answering a call of distress, Fink swaggered to the mound to pitch 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief and hit a tie-breaking single as the Mill City Monarchs defeated the Swift Current Indians 7 - 5 in a Southern League game at Ross Wells Park. Swift Current's Doug Modrell lost once more in going the route. Veteran Herb Lovett collected two of the eight hits off Modrell, one being a double. Catcher Larry Tollefson smacked his 3rd home run of the season in the 4th. Outfielder Bob Lewis hit a 380 foot solo home run as well as a double for the Tribe. Outfielder Fergie Olver, a former Chicago White Sox bonus signee out of high school in Los Angeles, appeared in the Regals' line-up for the first time this season.
Modrell (L) and Nybo
Longmore, Fink (7) (W) and Tollefson
(July 21) The Melville Millionaires scaled another notch on their ladder of recovery and moved into a deadlock with the Moose Jaw Regals for 3rd spot in the Southern league when they nipped the Mill City visitors 3 - 2. Back-to-back home runs by Stu Willison and Gord Nelson in the bottom of the 8th provided the Millionaires with the margin of victory. Both Willison and Nelson had singles to go along with their round-trippers. Newly acquired import Ken Ratchford from Fresno, California picked up the mound win. Bev Hickie of the Moneymen and Moose Jaw's Barrie Day both singled twice.
LeBere (L) and Hunchuk
Ratchford (W) and I. Wright
(July 22) The Moose Jaw Regals handed the Swift Current Indians their 4th consecutive defeat and threw the Southern League pennant race wide open. A 12-hit assault which led to a four-run outburst in the 2nd inning helped the hot-and-cold Regals beat the Redskins 6 - 3. The loss cut the Indians' lead over the 2nd place Regina Red Sox to a half game and the win lifted the Regals past the Melville Millionaires back into 3rd spot. Big Jim Pettapiece went the distance on the hill for the first time this season to pocket the win over Speedy Creek starter Wayne Meyers. Lorne Humphries collected three singles for the winners while third sacker Garry Andrews had a pair of doubles. Pettapiece, Herb Lovett and Brian Keegan all contributed a brace of one-baggers. Top batter for the Tribe was Jackie McLeod with a double and single. Clive Cory singled twice.
Pettapiece (W) and Tollefson
W. Meyers (L), Cleveland (2), McLeod (2) and Nybo
(July 23) Called up temporarily from the junior ranks, outfielder Lorne Davis smacked a key hit in the 7th inning to help his Regina Red Sox teammates salvage a 6 - 6 tie with the Moose Jaw Regals. The game lasted but eight frames as darkness prevented play from proceeding into the 9th. Davis was also instrumental earlier in the game when he drove in another run with a single. Outhitting the Regals 12 to 5, some of the Redlegs' top lumbermen, other than Davis, were third baseman Jim Paisley with a double and single and both playing-manager Ed Stefureak and catcher John Cooke with a pair of one-baggers each.
Homme, Simon (5) and Cooke
Heron, Longmore (3) and Tollefson
Standings as of end of July 23 W L Pct.
Swift Current Indians 10 5 .677
Regina Red Sox 10 6 .625
Moose Jaw Regals 7 11 .389
Melville Millionaires 6 11 .323
(July 24) The Swift Current Indians dropped their 6th game in succession as they were beaten 10 - 7 by the Melville Millionaires. For six stanzas, the contest was nip-and-tuck with the lead changing hands regularly. The Moneymen salted the game away by plating a trio of markers in the 7th. Cliff Mien rang up 11 strikeouts in claiming his 5th victory of the campaign for the Millionaires while Jerry Ranger suffered the loss. Melville third sacker Don Gelowitz led the lumber brigade with a pair of circuit clouts. Don Laube had a three-bagger and two singles. Ted Hargreaves hit three singles. Irwin Wright had a double and single and Stu Willison added two singles. Centerfielder Bob Lewis of the Tribe blasted his 5th home run of the season to go along with a double and single.
Ranger (L), W. Meyers (6) and Nybo, Young (7)
Mein (W) and I. Wright
(July 25) Veteran southpaw chucker Wayne LeBere held the Regina Red Sox to four hits and fanned 10 hitters as the Moose Jaw Regals scored a 3 - 2 win over the Red Stockings. Right-hander Fred Cardwell went the distance for the Reginans, surrendering six hits while ringing up 10 via the strikeout route. Dennis Williams' 5th inning single drove in Moose Jaw's 2nd and 3rd runs which turned out to be all that LeBere required. It was Williams second hit of the contest. Wally Blaisdell appeared in the Red Sox line-up for the first time this season.
Cardwell (L) and Cooke
LeBere (W) and Tollefson
(July 25) The Swift Current Indians bounced back from a 6th straight loss to complete a weekend series in Melville on a cheerful note as they took both ends of a double-bill from the host Millionaires by 6 - 3 and 12 - 9 margins.
Doug Modrell of the Indians picked up his 5th mound win in the seven-inning matinee, striking out eight along the way. Bob Lewis' 6th round-tripper with two mates aboard salted away the triumph for the Speedy Creek lads. Lewis also kicked in a single. Terry Burns and Ron McKechney both singled twice. Cliff Mein led the Moneymen with a home run and single. Don Laube clouted a solo round-tripper while Rollie Wilcox and Bev Hickie each had a brace of singles.
Modrell (W) and Young
B. Wright (L) and I. Wright
Eight Millionaire errors helped the Tribe make a clean sweep of the doubleheader. Reg Cleveland fanned seven in working 8 1/3 innings for the victory. The loss for Fresno State import Ken Ratchford evened his mound record at 1 - 1. All 14 hits by the Indians were singles, of which outfielder Terry Burns collected four. Clive Cory, Rick Sentes and Harvey Nybo each added two. Don Laube led the Millionaire batters with three singles and a double while Cliff Mein contributed a four-bagger and a single.
Cleveland (W), W. Meyers (9) and Nybo
Ratchford (L), S. Sobkow (7) and I. Wright
(July 26) Paul Longmore, in the role of a fireman, earned his first win of the campaign as the Moose Jaw Regals splurged for six big 7th-inning runs to erase a 2 - 1 deficit and went on to defeat the Regina Red Sox 11 - 7 at Taylor Field. Barrie Day led the Monarchs at the plate with a 4 for 4 batting performance, collecting three singles and a double while driving in three runs. Redlegs' catcher John Cooke had his most productive offensive game of the season as he pounded out a pair of triples plus a double and single. Warren Kivell had a triple and single, driving in three runs while Sox' playing-manager Ed Stefureak stroked three singles.
Vandale, Longmore (5) (W), Fink (7) and Tollefson
Homme (L), Simon (7), Clarke (8) and Cooke
(July 27) The Regina Red Sox grew fat when three-quarters of the Southern League congregated at Taylor Field for a unique set-to. Driving hard for first place, the Sox defeated the Swift Current Indians 5 - 2 behind the one-hit pitching of Ken Simon, then staged a crucial rally to beat the Melville Millionaires 11 - 3 in a strange doubleheader involving three teams. The double victory for the Queen City nine lifted them to within a half game of the top spot Tribe.
Simon fanned 11 Redskins in breezing through the opener. A clean single in the 6th inning spoiled his no-hit bid. John Cooke, Lionel Ruhr, Gene Yellowega and Ed Stefureak all had a pair of singles off loser Jerry Ranger with Stefureak's blows producing three RBI's.
Ranger (L) and Young
Simon (W) and Cooke
Melville's Cliff Mein whiffed 13 Reginans in the late encounter but nullified the advantage by walking just as many batters. Rookie portsider Danny Fink pitched seven complete innings and left the game with a 4 - 3 lead. The Sox put the game on ice at that point by counting seven 8th-inning markers. Outfielder Wally Blaisdell, back in the Regina line-up after sitting out most of the season, was extremely tough at the plate drawing three walks and drilling two singles that drove in three runs. Don Laube slashed out a trio of singles for the Moneymen.
Mein (L) and I. Wright
Fink (W), Cardwell (8) and Cooke
(July 27) The latest Southern League statistics for the 1965 season continue to show Swift Current's Ron McKechney as the circuit's top batter. Although his average dropped 75 points since the last release, he still is pounding the ball at a sizzling .475 mark.
Top 12 Batters AB R H Aver.
Ron McKechney (Swift Current Indians) 40 11 19 .475
Ed Stefureak (Regina Red Sox) 37 10 14 .378
Warren Kivell (Regina Red Sox) 55 13 20 .364
Ted Hargreaves (Melville Millionaires) 32 5 11 .344
Dennis Williams (Moose Jaw Regals) 27 3 9 .333
Clive Cory (Swift Current Indians) 49 10 16 .327
Gene Yellowega (Regina Red Sox) 28 7 9 .321
Cliff Mein (Melville Millionaires) 50 7 16 .320
Irwin Wright (Melville Millionaires) 32 3 10 .313
Garry Andrews (Moose Jaw Regals) 42 14 13 .310
Clint Cory (Swift Current Indians) 36 7 11 .306
Ron Meyers (Swift Current Indians) 47 7 14 .298
Hits - Kivell (Regina Red Sox) - 20
Runs - Andrews (Moose Jaw Regals) - 14
Doubles - Kivell (Regina Red Sox) - 7
Triples - Rick Sentes (Swift Current Indians) - 2
Home Runs - Bob Lewis (Swift Current Indians) - 6
Slugging Percentage - McKechney (Swift Current Indians) - .850
Pitching - Danny Fink (Regina Red Sox) 2 - 0 1.000
Strikeouts - Cliff Mein (Melville) and Doug Modrell (Swift Current) - tied with 37
Most Wins - Wayne LeBere (Moose Jaw), Modrell (Swift Current) and Mein (Melville) - tied with 4
(July 28) Backing up a superb pitching effort by Doug Modrell with a 15-hit attack and an errorless fielding display, the Swift Current Indians hammered out a decisive 12 - 2 win over the Moose Jaw Regals. The victory gave the Indians a one-game lead over the Regina Red Sox in the Southern League. Indians' third baseman Rick Sentes was the star slugger of the joust as he hit a home run, triple and two singles. Clive Cory had three safeties while Ron McKechney and Harvey Nybo each had a pair. Bob Lewis smashed his 7th round-tripper leading off the 5th inning for the Tribe. Brian Keegan was the top stickman for the Regals with a trio of raps. Delivering a pair of knocks each were Lorne Humphreys and George Hunchuk.
Longmore (L), Fink (5) and Hunchuk
Modrell (W) and Nybo, McKechney (6)
(July 29) Gord Clarke on the mound and Ed Stefureak at the plate was the combination that played a big part as the Regina Red Sox fashioned a narrow 5 - 4 win over the third place Moose Jaw Regals to move within a half game of loop-leading Swift Current Indians. Clarke gave up seven hits while striking out nine on route to the complete game victory. He also tripled in the 7th inning and scored the winning run when Lionel Ruhr singled him home. Stefureak strode up to the dish and planted two singles and a 400 foot home run down Moose Jaw's throat to provide the thrust of the Queen City offense. Mel Puscas chipped in with a brace of singles for the Crimson Hose. Barrie Day paced the Moose Jaw hitters with a double and single.
Clarke (W) and xxxx
Heron, Vandale (6) (L) and xxxx
(July 31) The Swift Current Indians rose to the challenge and knocked off their nearest pursuer, the Regina Red Sox, clobbering the visiting Reginans 10 - 1 in the first game of a weekend showdown series to determine first place in the Southern League. Jackie McLeod turned in a first-class mound performance for the Tribe as his mates backed him up with clutch hitting while playing errorless ball in the field. Catcher Larry Bachiu slammed a bases-empty homer off McLeod in the top of the 1st frame but that was all she wrote for the Red Stockings. From there on, the chief of the Indians allowed just three hits while fanning six would-be hitters. The Redskins knocked loser Danny Fink from the hill with a five-run barrage in their half of the opening stanza. Outfielder Terry Burns led the Swift Current hitting attack with a single, double and triple in four trips to the plate. Third baseman Clint Cory came away with three hits, one being a double while Rich Sentes banged out a pair of knocks.
Fink (L), Froehlich (1) and Bachiu
McLeod (W) and Nybo
(August 1) At Moose Jaw's Ross Wells Park, the home-town Regals defeated the Melville Millionaires 7 - 3. Portsider Wayne LeBere scattered 10 hits to pick up the victory, his 6th of the regular campaign. Lorne Humphreys had a double and single to spark the Mill City offense. The top hitter of the game was the Millionaires' Don Laube, a former league MVP, who collected two doubles and a pair of singles. Outfielder Terry Wasley of the Regals smacked a two-run homer in the 3rd inning and, during his next plate appearance, was struck in the head by a Bob Wright pitch. The wound in the back of his head required seven stitches to close. Following the last out of the game, the Melville squad hurried to their vehicles and rushed 150 miles to face the Swift Current Indians in the second half of a twin-bill in the Frontier City.
B. Wright (L), Ratchford (7) and I. Wright
LeBere (W) and Tollefson
(August 1) The Swift Current Indians tacked the Southern League pennant to their teepee by winning a pair of Sunday games against different opponents at Mitchell Field in Speedy Creek. In the second weekend match-up with the runner-up Regina Red Sox, played in the afternoon, the Indians needed an extra inning to take out the Redlegs, finishing on the long end of a 9 - 8 score. Then, after the Reginans had packed up their gear and vacated the dugout, the Melville Millionaires moved in and were the victims of a 9 - 4 pasting in the evening encounter.
The opener against Regina was a ding-dong battle with the score tied 8 - 8 at the end of the regulation nine innings. A walk, a Regina error and Terry Burns' run scoring single in the 10th provided the Indians with the winning counter after relief hurler Doug Modrell held the Red Sox scoreless in the top half of the inning. Burns and Ron McKechney both finished with three bingles for the game while Rich Sentes picked up a pair for the winners. Bob Lewis smashed his 8th homer of the campaign for the Tribe. Third baseman Duane Williams had a pair of base raps for the Crimson Hose.
Clarke (L), Stefureak (10) and Kivell
Cleveland, W. Meyers (8), Modrell (9) (W) and Nybo
In making the weekend a success, the Redskins competed their three-game sweep by pouncing on the travel-weary Melvillites for four runs in the 5th frame and five more in the 8th to put the evening game away. Right-hander Jerry Ranger notched the win over Cliff Mien who hit the skids in a relief role. Bob Lewis had the key hit for Swift Current with a two-run double in the 5th inning. Gord Nelson led the Millionaires with a double and two singles while catcher Irwin Wright stroked three singles.
Thompson, Mien (5) (L) and I. Wright
Ranger (W) and Young, Nybo (8)
(August 2) The Swift Current Indians finished their Southern League schedule on a winning note by edging the Melville Millionaires 3 - 2 at Mitchell Field. The game didn't mean a thing as far as the league standings were concerned as the two squads had 1st and 4th places, respectively, all sewed up. Starter Wayne Meyers got the win for the Speedy Creekers after five innings of work. Sophomore chucker Reg Cleveland was inserted in the 6th inning so that a visiting St. Louis Cardinals' scout could watch him in action. Gord Nelson went the full route for the losers. Ron Meyers was best from the batters' box for the Tribe with a single and double. Terry Burns contributed a brace of singles. Nelson rapped a double and single in support of his mound work.
Nelson (L) and Wilcox
W. Meyers (W), Cleveland (6), Martinson (7) and Nybo
FINAL STANDINGS W L Pct.
Swift Current Indians 17 7 .708
Regina Red Sox 13 10 .565
Moose Jaw Regals 10 13 .435
Melville Millionaires 7 17 .292
The semi-final playoff pairings will have the pennant-winning Swift Current Indians meeting the last-place Melville Millionaires while the runner-up Regina Red Sox will tangle with the 3rd place Moose Jaw Regals in the other bracket. Both series will be best 3-out-of-5.
PLAYOFFS :
(August 5) The brawny twosome of Ed Stefureak and Wally Blaisdell flexed their muscles as each ripped a home run to help the Regina Red Sox defeat the Moose Jaw Regals 6 - 4 in the opening game of their best-of-five semi-final series. Blaisdell cranked a three-run four-bagger in the opening inning off loser Jim Pettapiece and Stefureak followed with a solo shot off the slants of Paul Longmore in the 3rd. The pitching win was credited to lefthander Doug Homme who threw seven innings for the Red Stockings before fireman Fred Cardwell nullified any chance of a comeback with two strong innings of relief which saw four of the six outs registered through strikeouts. Both Blaisdell and Stefureak had a single to go along with their homers. Warren Kivell had a trio of base raps for the Crimson Hose, a double and two singles. Blaisdell's eligibility to participate in the playoffs was loudly questioned by the Regals who have considered protest action.
Pettapiece (L), Longmore (2), Fink (6) and Tollefson
Homme (W), Cardwell (8) and Bachiu
(August 7) After formally filing a protest with the league office regarding the playoff eligibility of Wally Blaisdell in the first game of the semi-final series, the Moose Jaw Regals took the field at the friendly confines of Ross Wells Park and, with Wayne LeBere on the slab, soundly thumped the Regina Red Sox 12 - 7 to even the series at one game each. Blaisdell was not in the Regina line-up and the Moose Jaw club announced that it expected a favorable decision on their game #1 protest before they were prepared to return to the Queen City for any further play. No details of the second game were published as the protest controversy seemed to take precedence with the print media in both Regina and Moose Jaw.
xxxx and xxxx
LeBere (W) and xxxx
(August 8) The Moose Jaw Regals failed to appear in Regina for the scheduled third game of their best-of-five semi-final with the Red Sox and, as a result, have been suspended by the Southern League. The suspension results in the semi-final series being awarded to the Regina Red Sox. The Regals had protested the use of veteran outfielder-pitcher Wally Blaisdell by the Red Sox since his name had not been submitted to the league as part of their 20-player roster by the July 10 cut-off date.
(August 10) The Melville Millionaires methodically manufactured a 6 - 5 win over the Swift Current Indians in the opener of their semi-final series at Mitchell Field. The last-place Millionaires spent 7 1/2 innings constructing a 6 - 0 lead, then survived a five-run Indian uprising in the bottom of the 8th to score their narrow win. A four-hit outing, including a pair of doubles, by outfielder Bev Hickie and the tight pitching of import Ken Ratchford sparked the Millionaires. Ratchford, the Fresno State right-hander, kept the Tribe off the scoreboard for seven innings before the hosts came to life. With relief help from southpaw Cliff Mein, Ratchford drew credit for the win. He also showed some pop with the bat, singling twice and driving in a pair of runs. Another Fresno State import, Doug Modrell of the Redskins, was on the other side of the equation and took the loss. Stu Willison had three singles for the Moneymen while Rollie Wilcox added a pair of doubles. Shortstop Ted Hargreaves came through with a brace of one-baggers. For the Speedy Creek nine, Ron Meyers hit a double and a two-RBI single. Clive Cory and Rich Sentes both singled twice.
Ratchford (W), Mein (8) and Nelson
Modrell (L), Ranger (6) and Nybo
(August 11) The Swift Current Indians evened their semi-final series with the Melville Millionaires at one game each when they trounced the Moneymen 12 - 6 in game #2 of their playoff showdown. Veteran chucker and manager Jackie McLeod toiled on the hill for the Tribe and went the entire distance, experiencing difficulty only in the 9th when the visitors plated four of their six tallies. The Redskins pounded loser Cliff Mein for 10 hits and eight runs in the five innings he worked. They were just as rough on Mein's successor, Gord Nelson, scoring four runs on six hits. Shortstop Clive Cory along with outfielder Terry Burns were the most potent of the Swift Current arsenal, each slamming three hits while Bob Lewis, Jerry Ranger and McLeod each accounted for a pair. Ron McKechney pounded out a two-run homer for the winners. Leading the Millionaires with the stick were Bev Hickie and Don Laube who both had a pair of base knocks.
Mein (L), Nelson (6) and I. Wright
McLeod (W) and Nybo
(August 13) Bobby Lewis smashed a grand-slam home run and put a crimp in the hopes of 1,000 Melville fans during an eight-run second inning uprising by the Swift Current Indians. The pennant-winning Indians went on to score a 10 - 8 victory over the host Millionaires in the abbreviated Southern League playoff game which had to be called after seven innings had elapsed when darkness enveloped the skies. With the win, Swift Current jumped in front two games to one in the series. A costly error by shortstop Rollie Wilcox of the Millionaires opened the gates for the Tribe and allowed them to conceive the big 2nd inning outburst. Speedy Creek's Jerry Ranger, with three innings of relief work, picked up the win. Ken Ratchford, battered from the hill in the 2nd frame, was pinned with the loss. Home runs were a feature of the game. Other than Lewis' blast, teammate Ron McKechney connected for his second circuit-clout of the series. Gord Nelson and Wilcox responded with four-baggers for the Moneymen who managed to out-hit the Redskins 11 to 10. Bev Hickie and Irwin Wright both had a pair of singles for the Millionaires.
Cleveland, Ranger (3) (W), Modrell (6) and Nybo
Ratchford (L), B. Wright (2) and I. Wright
(August 14) According to the league's final statistics published today, Ron McKechney of the Swift Current Indians has won the Southern League batting crown for 1965 with a fantastic .403 average. The towering second baseman did it in a most deliberate and steady manner, racing to the fore as the season opened and maintaining a stable pace as the games slipped by. A breakdown of his 31 hits, a league high, shows 19 singles, eight doubles, one triple and four home runs.
Batting Leaders AB R H Ave
Ron McKechney (Swift Current Indians) 77 21 31 .403
Ed Stefureak (Regina Red Sox) 67 18 24 .358
Cliff Mein (Melville Millionaires) 84 13 29 .345
Clint Cory (Swift Current Indians) 54 8 18 .325
Terry Burns (Swift Current Indians) 83 25 27 .325
Irwin Wright (Melville Millionaires) 64 4 20 .313
Gene Yellowega (Regina Red Sox) 56 12 17 .304
Warren Kivell (Regina Red Sox) 90 18 27 .300
Rich Sentes (Swift Current Indians) 94 22 28 .298
Clive Cory (Swift Current Indians) 95 21 28 .295
Bev Hickie (Melville Millionaires) 68 13 20 .294
Runs - Burns (Swift Current Indians) - 25
Hits - McKechney (Swift Current Indians) - 31
Doubles - Mein (Melville Millionaires) - 9
Triples - Sentes (Swift Current Indians) - 3
Home Runs - Bobby Lewis (Swift Current Indians) - 8
Slugging - McKechney (Swift Current Indians) - .805
Pitching - Doug Modrell (Swift Current Indians) - 7 - 2 .778
Innings Pitched - Mein (Melville Millionaires) - 71 1/3
Strikeouts - Mein (Melville Millionaires) - 66
Pitching Leaders W L Pct
Doug Modrell (Swift Current Indians) 7 2 .778
Wayne LeBere (Moose Jaw Regals) 6 2 .750
Cliff Mein (Melville Millionaires) 5 5 .500
Ken Simon (Regina Red Sox) 4 2 .667
Reg Cleveland (Swift Current Indians) 3 1 .750
Gord Clarke (Regina Red Sox) 3 2 .600
Jerry Ranger (Swift Current Indians) 3 3 .500
Jackie McLeod (Swift Current Indians) 2 0 1.000
Danny Fink (Regina Red Sox) 2 1 .677
Wayne Meyers (Swift Current Indians) 2 1 .677
Jim Pettapiece (Moose Jaw Regals) 2 2 .500
Fred Cardwell (Regina Red Sox) 2 3 .400
(August 14) Facing elimination and behind the entire game, the Melville Millionaires avoided the guillotine for another day as they rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 9th stanza to slip by the Swift Current Indians 2 - 1 and knot the semi-final playoff series at two games each. Indians' chucker Doug Modrell held the Millionaires scoreless for eight innings and appeared on his way to wrapping up the series for his mates. However, Bev Hickie opened the bottom of the 9th by drawing a base on balls. Don Laube followed with a wicked drive and potential double-play ball in the direction of shortstop Clint Cory. The ball took a bad hop and skipped over the infielder's head. The relay throw to 3rd base from the outfield was too late to catch Hickie and allowed Laube to motor around all the way to 2nd base. Melville's hard-hitting pitcher Cliff Mein, the next batter, followed with a crisp single which allowed both runners to score to wrap up the game. Mein threw a five-hitter for the win. Modrell, the loser. was tagged for seven hits. Ron McKechney, the league's batting champion, drove in Swift Current's only run with a 5th inning double.
Modrell (L) and Nybo
Mein (W) and I. Wright
(August 15) In one of the hardest-fought playoff series in Southern League history, the pennant-winning Swift Current Indians came from behind to eke out a 4 - 3 win over the Melville Millionaires and, in doing so, earned a berth in the final against the Regina Red Sox. It was an uphill battle every bit of the way for the Indians who trailed 3 - 1 after 4 1/2 innings. The Millionaires out-hit the Redskins 11 to 9. A run-scoring double by Rich Sentes in the 6th inning pushed the Tribe into the lead for the first time. Veteran lefthander Jackie McLeod worked 7 2/3 innings for the all-important win. In the 9th, the Moneymen had the tying run at 3rd but reliever Doug Modrell ended the threat by striking out Bev Hickie to successfully preserve the victory. The losing pitcher was reliever Cliff Mein, tagged with Sentes' payoff hit. Sentes also had a single to go along with his run-producing two-bagger. Clint Cory had a triple and single for the winners. Ted Hargreaves was best at the dish for Melville as he lashed out three safeties. Don Laube contributed a pair while Stu Willison banged out 2nd-inning solo home run.
Ratchford, Mein (5) (L) and I. Wright
McLeod (W), Modrell (8) and Nybo
(August 17) The Regina Red Sox got the jump on the Swift Current Indians by taking the opening game in their Southern League final series 5 - 2 in 10 innings. The win marked the first time this season that the Reginans have been able defeat the Indians at Mitchell Field. The contest was deadlocked 2 - 2 at the end of nine innings. The Red Sox, however, exploded for three runs in the extra frame and then set the Tribe down in order in their half of the inning. Fred Cardwell, in being credited with the win, worked the full 10 innings, allowing six hits while fanning 11. Loser Reg Cleveland was just as effective for nine innings, holding the Sox to seven hits while whiffing nine. However, in the 10th, the roof fell in for him and he was replaced by Jerry Ranger. Moe Fleischhaker wielded the big bat for the Red Stockings, hitting two doubles and two singles in four trips. Lionel Ruhr doubled and singled while, for the Redskins, it was Jackie McLeod with a triple and single and Terry Burns with a pair of singles.
Cardwell (W) and Bachiu
Cleveland (L), Ranger (10) and Nybo
(August 19) The Regina Red Sox haven't branded the Swift Current Indians yet but they singed their pants again in game two of the Southern League finals. Realizing that the heat was on, the Indians struggled valiantly but the refreshing Red Sox interfered and posted a 4 - 2 triumph. With the win, the Crimson Hose jumped into a 2 - 0 lead in the series. Southpaw Doug Homme pitched the entire game for the Sox, stifling the Indians with a five-hitter. Ron McKechney, league batting champ, gathered two of those surrendered. Homme also had a hand in the key defensive play of the game. With runners at 1st and 3rd in the 8th inning, Clint Cory of the Tribe lined a head-hunting shot back at the mound. Protecting himself and trying to make the snare at the same time, Homme reeled and deflected the ball directly behind 2nd base where Al Herback converted it into a double play. The losing pitcher was Doug Modrell, the league's top hurler during the regular season with a 7 - 2 record. Modrell did not have one of his better outings as the Redlegs nicked him for 10 safeties. Ed Stefureak, as usual, was at the forefront of the Regina offense. The hardened veteran went 3 of 3, a feat duplicated by teammate Herback. Lionel Ruhr produced the big hit of the evening with a two-run double in the 3rd frame.
Modrell (L) and Nybo
Homme (W) and Cooke
(August 21) With their backs to the wall, the Swift Current Indians came out flying at Mitchell Field and completely out-classed the Regina Red Sox, clobbering the visiting Reginans 9 - 0. It was the first win for the Speedy Creekers in the series. The Red Sox still lead the showdown by two games to one. A pair of four-run rallies highlighted the Tribe's win. Playing-manager Jackie McLeod of the Tribe nominated himself to take the hill as starting hurler for the crucial tilt. McLeod had the Red Sox batters baffled throughout as he held them to six scattered hits over the nine innings. The Indians pounded two Regina chuckers for a total of 12 hits. Starting pitcher Ken Simon worked six frames for the Capital City crew and was nailed with the loss. Leading the Indian barrage was a quartet made up of Terry Burns, Bob Lewis, Ron McKechney and Jerry Ranger who each came up with two hits, with one of Lewis' blows going for two-bases. Infielder Jim Paisley had a double and single for the Redlegs.
Simon (L), Clarke (7) and Bachiu
McLeod (W) and Nybo
(August 22) In a battle of young right-handers in Regina, fastball artist Reg Cleveland prevailed over Fred Cardwell as the Swift Current Indians dumped the Regina Red Sox 5 - 1 to knot their Southern League final series at two games each. For the second consecutive game, Regina bats were silenced by a member of the Speedy Creek pitching corp. The Indians pecked away at Cardwell for five runs during which time Cleveland was blanking the home-towners. It wasn't until the final frame that the Sox broke through for a single tally, their only run in two games. In the hitting department, Rich Sentes, Ron McKechney, Ron Meyers and Harvey Nybo each had two hits for the winners while Warren Kivell, Larry Bachiu, Jim Paisley and Moe Fleischhaker did likewise for the Reginans.
Cleveland (W), Modrell (9) and Nybo
Cardwell (L) and Bachiu
(August 24) The Swift Current Indians paraded 11 batters to the plate in the 8th inning to come from behind and muffle the Regina Red Sox 8 - 5 for a tense Southern League playoff victory. The hard-earned triumph eased the Indians into a 3 - 2 lead in the best-of-seven final series. With the score knotted at 5 - 5 in the 8th, Jackie McLeod drilled a bases-loaded single that drove in the winning run plus an insurance one to boot. Regina reliever Fred Cardwell balked home the Indians' final tally of the inning and contest. Entering the bottom of the 8th, the Tribe trailed 5 - 1 and had a big hole to climb out of with only six more outs at their disposal with which to do so. The winning pitcher was Doug Modrell, a victim of defeats in his last two playoff starts. The stocky Californian got stronger after a poor start when the Reginans held a four-run lead after just two innings. The Indians out-hit the Sox 9 to 7 and seemed to shake their recent plight of leaving too many runners on the base paths. Their leading hitter for the evening was Ron Meyers who had a single along with a key run-scoring triple during the fateful 8th frame which sent Crimson Hose starter and loser Doug Homme to the showers. Clint Cory and McLeod each hit a double and single. Moe Fleischhaker was the only member of the Red Stockings to collect more than one hit. The steady outfielder touched Modrell for two singles.
Homme (L), Cardwell (8) and Bachiu
Modrell (W) and Nybo
(September 2) Following a long, rain-induced layoff, the Southern League final series resumed in the Queen City. The forced inactivity didn't seem to affect the hitting prowess of Regina's playing-manager Ed Stefureak as much as it did the offerings of Swift Current's recently signed St. Louis Cardinals' pitching prospect Reg Cleveland. The Red Sox laid a convincing 8 - 0 thumping on the Indians and virtually had the game in the bag following Stefureak's first inning two-run homer off Cleveland that cleared the left field fence by just inches. It also cleared the hurdle for the Redlegs and gave them the margin they needed to force the deciding game of the best-of-seven final. Stefureak followed up his circuit-clout with a pair of doubles and a single and finished the night with four hits in five at bats. Doug Homme, a strong portsider, shared the hero's mantle with Stefureak. Homme went the route and limited the boys from Speedy Creek to four hits while sending three batters down swinging. Cleveland was touched for five hits and five runs before Californian Doug Modrell came on in relief in the 3rd inning. Modrell didn't fare much better and was yanked in the 5th in favor of Jerry Ranger who finished the game. Warren Kivell, Al Herback and Homme each had two singles for half of Regina's 12 hits. Ron McKechney, batting champ during regular league play, led the Tribe's four-hit offense with a pair of singles.
Cleveland (L), Modrell (3), Ranger (5) and Nybo
Homme (W) and Bachiu
(September 8) Jackie McLeod, the taskmaster for the Swift Current Indians, tucked the Regina Red Sox into a coffin and nailed on the lid with a pitching performance that wasn't particularly brilliant but still got the job done. The stern competitor tossed a complete game eight-hitter as the Tribe waltzed to an easy 8 - 1 victory and their second Southern League championship in three years. It was McLeod's 2nd win of the final series and 4th of the playoffs. The Sox, minus the services of playing-manager Ed Stefureak, paraded three pitchers to the mound as the first two were tagged for costly run-producing hits. Smarting after the drubbing they absorbed in game six, the Redskins started on the warpath early by hammering the offerings of Sox' fastball artist Fred Cardwell for a pair of counters in each of the first two innings and never let up. Swift Current's Ron McKechney had a perfect night at the plate. He went 3 for 3, a pair of two-baggers and a single, and also drew a brace of bases on balls. Clint Cory delivered three raps in four attempts including a two-base knock. Terry Burns followed with a double and single. Shortstop Lionel Ruhr paced the Crimson Hose by connecting for three hits, two of them doubles. Gene Yellowega and Moe Fleischhaker both singled twice.
Cardwell (L), Homme (4), Simon (8) and Bachiu
McLeod (W) and Nybo