SOUTHERN LEAGUE
All five teams from the 1967 Southern league returned for another campaign in 1968. There were, however, some changes in the leadership for two of the existing franchises. Dennis Williams returned to the Moose Jaw Regals, this time as a playing-manager, after spending last season in Swift Current. He replaced Roberto Zayas. In Melville, the new playing-manager until mid-July was Craig Friebe, an import from Fresno State who last season was the shortstop for the league champion Yorkton Cardinals. Friebe replaced Ira McKnight who held the Melville post for the previous two seasons. Friebe, however, left the Melville club in mid-July after a dispute with club officials and was replaced by another import, Dave Mello.
One other development on the import situation involved the Swift Current quota being increased from one to two as compensation for their last-place finish in 1967. Melville and Yorkton are also allowed two import players while Regina and Moose Jaw are restricted to one although the Red Sox have never bothered to bring in an American player.
(May 25) The Moose Jaw Regals started the 1968 campaign on a winning note as they visited the Frontier City and came away with a 7 to 4 victory over the Swift Current Indians in an eight-inning contest. The Regals scored five runs in the last two innings to claim the win. Veteran Wayne LeBere got the pitching victory over another long-time player, Cliff Mein. Home runs by catcher Larry Tollefson and LeBere were the key blows for the Regals. Outfielder Wayne Commodore cracked a solo homer for the Indians in the second inning.
LeBere (W), Rowley (8) and Tollefson
Mein (L), Zanussi (8) and Nybo
(May 25) Yorkton Cardinals' lefthander Don Krick and Regina Red Sox portsider Doug Homme pitched like they were in mid-season form as they hooked up in a hurlers' clash that ended in a 1 - 1 deadlock after 10 innings. The amazing Krick fanned no less than 20 Red Sox' batters but was lucky not to be tagged with a loss as a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth allowed the Cardinals to tie the score. Krick struck out six straight early in the game and later fanned nine out of ten. Homme, meanwhile, also pitched a fine game, striking out ten.
Homme and Logan
Krick and Johnson
(May 26) A 13-inning home opener delighted Ross Wells Park fans as the Moose Jaw Regals edged the Swift Current Indians 8 to 7. Reliever Roy Rowley picked up the victory for the Regals after taking over pitching chores in the seventh inning. Playing-manager Ron McKechney, the last of three Indians' hurlers was hit with the loss. A single by outfielder Barrie Day in the third extra-frame plated Lloyd Hackel with the winning tally for Moose Jaw. The Tribe had forged ahead in the top of the 11th but a solo homer by Garry Andrews knotted things up again. Joe Zanussi of the Tribe led all hitters with four singles. McKechney, Harvey Nybo and Cliff Mein all singled twice for Swift Current. Hackel led the Regals at the platter with three singles and three RBI's. Andrews had a single to go along with his dinger while Day and infielder Tim Booth both singled twice.
Wall, Zanussi (7), McKechney (12) (L) and Nybo
Hogg, Rowley (7) (W) and Tollefson
(May 26) The Regina Red Sox travelled to Regional Park and defeated the Melville Millionaires 4 to 2 in the home opener for the Moneymen. Merv Stradecki, with relief help from Randy Sawa in the fifth, got his initial Southern League win. Jim Paisley paced the Red Sox at the plate with a double and single. Pete Rieben hit a two-run homer in the sixth to account for the Melville scoring.
Stradecki (W), Sawa (5) and Logan
Bellegarde (L), McKee (7) and xxxx
(May 28) The defending champion Yorkton Cardinals whipped the Melville Millionaires 9 to 0 in Yorkton's Jubilee Park as lefthander Don Krick turned in his second brilliant performance of the young campaign, setting down 18 Melville batters by the strikeout route. In Fact, Krick was only one strike away from a no-hitter. With two out in the top of the ninth, losing hurler Wayne Thompson lashed a two-strike pitch into right field for the first and only hit off the Yorkton ace. Big Ed Stefureak led the Cardinals at the dish with a double and single while Bill Seymour and Keith Washenfelder each collected a pair of singles.
Thompson (L), F. Stewart (2) and Hickie
Krick (W) and Johnson
(May 29) The Regina Red Sox edged ahead of the Moose Jaw Regals in the early Southern League standings as they shutout the Mill City crew 5 to 0 at Ross Wells Park. The Regals left eleven runners stranded as Randy Sawa, a rookie lefthander, was touched for eight base blows but came through in the clutches to preserve the whitewashing. The Red Sox managed only five hits off losing hurler Wayne LeBere but they were timely clouts. Jim Paisley picked up a double and single for the winners which produced a pair of runs. Tim Young led the Regals at the plate with a double and two singles while Garry Andrews collected a pair of two-baggers.
Sawa (W) and Logan
LeBere (L) and Tollefson
(June 1) The Yorkton Cardinals beat the Swift Current Indians 6 to 3 in the first game of a weekend series. The teams were tied 3 - 3 entering the bottom of the ninth when pinch-hitter Don Krick, proving he is just as adept at hitting the ball as he is throwing it past batters, smashed a towering three-run homer to win it for the Cards. The Redbirds out-hit the visiting Tribe 12 to 8 as lefthander Bill Sobkow got the decision over import righthander Rick Jaggars.
Jaggars (L) and Nybo
B. Sobkow (W) and M. Laube
(June 2) The Melville Millionaires scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to down the Swift Current Indians 9 to 7 at Melville. Two singles, a walk and a pair of errors accounted for the three runs. Forbes Stewart picked up the win in a relief role. Tom Sharpe, the third Swift Current pitcher was stung with the loss. Pete Rieben of the Moneymen had three base hits, two of which were home runs while outfielder Bev Hickie laced three singles.
Mein, McKechney (5), Sharpe (L) (8) and Nybo
Bellegarde, F. Stewart (4) (W) and Exner
(June 2) The Regina Red Sox chalked up their third straight Southern League victory but it took some clutch relief pitching by Randy Sawa to do it. The Reginans edged the Moose Jaw Regals 8 to 6 at Mount Pleasant Parkin a game that saw the Sox jump into a big 7 to 0 lead after four innings. The Regals never gave up and ralled for all of their six runs in the sixth as well as loading the bases with none out in the ninth. Doug Homme started and gained the win for the Redlegs. He was followed to the hill by Merv Stadecki and finally Sawa in the ninth. After a single by Ned Andreoni, a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the sacks, Sawa turned tiger on the mound and blew third strikes past the next two batters to end the threat. Rich Gergley had three hits for the Sox including a solo home run. Andreoni had a double to go along with his one-bagger.
LeBere (L), Rowley (4) and Tollefson
Homme (W), Stradecki (6), Sawa (9) and Logan.
(June 2) The Swift Current Indians lost their third game of the weekend and their second to the Yorkton Cardinals in two days as the Redbirds took a 5 to 3 decision from the Tribe to move into a first-place tie with the Regina Red Sox. The Indians trailed 3 to 2 after six innings but tied the game in the eighth on Brian Keegan's solo homer.The Cards came right back in their half of the eighth as a ground out plus a single by Don Laube brought in two runs, enough to give Don Krick his second pitching win of the campaign. The import southpaw gave up only four hits while striking out twelve. Tom Sharpe went all the way on the mound for Swift Current and was tagged with the loss.
Sharpe (L) and Nybo
Krick (W) and Johnson
(June 8) Ed Stefureak's two-out double in the top of the tenth frame drove home the winning run and gave the Yorkton Cardinals a hard-fought 3 to 2 victory over the Swift Current Indians in the matinee game of a weekend series in Speedy Creek. Don Krick scattered nine hits and struck out 13 for his third win of the season. Tom Sharpe of the Tribe gave up only four hits but suffered his third pitching setback.
Krick (W) and Johnson
Sharpe (L) and Nybo
(June 8) The Regina Red Sox scored an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the Moose Jaw Regals 7 to 6 at Mount Pleasant Park. The game was called at that point because of darkness. The Regals were not at their best defensively, committing five errors, two of which were infield miscues in the last frame. Overall, the Moose Jaw squad out-hit Regina 8 to 4. Doug Homme's fine relief effort earned him the pitching win.
Hogg, Rowley (7) (L) and Tollefson
Sawa, Homme (4) (W) and Logan
(June 9) The Yorkton Cardinals pushed across an unearned run in the 11th inning to take a 1 to 0 decision from the hard-luck Swift Current Indians in the finale of their weekend set-to. Mike Harkness, Yorkton's second import, made an impressive debut on the hill, fanning 13 while allowing just four hits. Rick Jaggars pitched well in defeat, allowing six base hits.
Harkness (W) and Johnson
Jaggars (L) and Nybo
(June 9) The Moose Jaw Regals trounced the Melville Millionaires 10 to 2 for their third win in six starts. Jim Pettapiece, making his first start of the season, got the win for the Regals. Moose Jaw bombed two Melville hurlers for 14 base hits including doubles by Tim Young, Larry Tollefson, Ned Andreoni and Pettapiece.
Stewart (L), Mello (7) and Friebe
Pettapiece (W) and Tollefson
Southern League standings (as of end of June 9)
W L Pct.
Yorkton Cardinals 5 0 1.000
Regina Red Sox 4 0 1.000
Moose Jaw Regals 3 3 .500
Melville Millionaires 1 3 .250
Swift Current Indians 0 7 .000
(June 11) Tom Sharpe, a side-arming righthander, unfurled a nifty six-hitter to guide the Swift Current Indians to their first win of the season, a 6 to 3 triumph over the Regina Red Sox. Using a sinking, side-arm curve ball to his advantage, Sharpe set down eleven Red Sox batters via the strikeout route. The Indians virtually won the game when they pushed across five runs in the third inning on two base hits and three Regina errors. Wayne Commodore, with a pair of doubles, led the Indians' eight-hit attack. Warren Kivell had a triple and single for the Red Stockings.
Sharpe (W) and Nybo
Stradecki (L), Sawa (3) and Logan
(June 12) The Melville Millionaires derailed the Yorkton Cardinal express at Regional Park, handing the Cards their first loss of the Southern League campaign. The Yorkton four-game win streak drew to an abrupt end when the Millionaires cashed in on a 9 to 7 victory, their second of the season. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness. Wayne Thompson led Melville at the plate, hitting three singles. Craig Friebe, Doug Biro and Al Abel each singled twice. Andy Boleziuk topped the Yorkton hitters with a trio of one-baggers.
Quick (L), B. Sobkow (4) and Johnson, M. Laube (5)
Mello (W), Bellegarde (8) and Friebe
(June 12) The Regina Red Sox and Moose Jaw Regals fought to a 5 - 5 deadlock at Ross Wells Park. The Regals scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score and the Red Sox had to catch Lloyd Hackel at the plate in an attempted double steal in the bottom of the ninth to save the tie. Jack Buch hit a double and two singles for Regina. Larry Bachiu broke a long slump with three singles. Garry Andrews and Larry Tollefson each hit two singles for Moose Jaw.
Homme, Yellowega (9) and Logan
LeBere, Hogg (9) and Tollefson
(June 15) The Swift Current Indians won their second game of the season 4 to 1 over the Melville Millionaires as import pitcher Rick Jaggars scattered six hit to pick up his first Southern League win. A bases-loaded walk in the fifth forced in a run as Melville took a 1 to 0 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, the Tribe went to work and scored four times, the highlight of which came from outfielder Wayne Commodore's two-run homer.
Bellegarde (L), McKee (7) and Friebe
Jaggars (W) and Nybo
(June 16) The versatile Roy Rowley found himself in the role of a starting pitcher and when the dust had cleared over Ross Wells Park, the righthander had knocked the Yorkton Cardinals out of the Southern League lead. Rowley fanned six gave up just two hits, a single to Don Laube followed by Gord Johnson's homer, as the Moose Jaw Regals downed the Redbirds 4 to 2. Mike Harkness was the loser for Yorkton, giving up seven hits while striking out ten. Moose Jaw went ahead in this game to stay on a two-run triple in the sixth by Tim Young. Young then scored the insurance run on Barrie Day's single.
Harkness (L) and Johnson
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
(June 16) A two-run single by Gene Yellowega in the sixth inning proved to be the deciding blow as the Regina Red Sox blanked the Melville Millionaires 3 to 0 at Mount Pleasant Park. The victory, Regina's fifth in six games, lifted them into first place in the Southern League, a half game ahead of the Yorkton Cardinals. Lefthander Randy Sawa pitched the sixth and seventh innings for the Sox and picked up the win for his relief work. The game's top hitter was outfilder Bev Hickie of the Moneymen who picked up three singles. Rookie third baseman Jerry Zrymiak singled twice for the Red Stockings.
F. Stewart (L), Mello (7) and Friebe
Seeley, Sawa (6) (W), Cardwell (8) and Bachiu
(June 18) The Regina Red Sox unloaded their heaviest hitting barrage of the Southern League season as they pounded out a 15 to 2 whipping of the Moose Jaw Regals at Ross Wells Park. The victory stretched the Red Sox' lead atop the five-team loop to a full game over the Yorkton Cardinals. Shortstop Al Herback sparked the 18-hit Red Sox' attack against four Moose Jaw pitchers with five singles in as many trips to the plate. Winning pitcher Doug Homme collected three singles while Gene Yellowega, Rich Gergley and Jack Buch all produced a brace of one-baggers. Jim Paisley chalked up the only extra-base hit for the Crimson Hose, a double, to go along with a single. Tim Young and Dennis Williams both had two singles out of the six Moose Jaw hits that Homme allowed.
Homme (W) and Logan
Hogg (L), Heron (3), LeBere (4), Andreoni (8) and Tollefson
(June 19) Maintaining their mastery over the Moose Jaw Regals, the Regina Red Sox posted a 3 to 2 decision over their Mill City rivals to move a game and a half in front of the pack in the Southern League. All the scoring in this game took place in two innings as the Red Sox scored their runs in the third while the Regals pushed across both of their runs in the sixth. Larry Bachiu's second hit of the game in the third drove in the third run that proved to be the winner for the Sox. Larry Tollefson's two-run single accounted for both Moose Jaw tallies. Randy Sawa picked up his fourth mound triumph for his six-inning stint on the hill for Regina. Newcomer Jim Seredick, a lanky righthander, went the distance for the Regals and was tagged with the loss.
Seredick (L) and Tollefson
Sawa (W), Cardwell (7) and Logan
(June 20) A three-run homer in the seventh inning by Gord Johnson provided the Yorkton Cardinals with a comeback 9 to 6 victory over the Melville Millionaires in a Southern League game played in Yorkton. Import lefthander Don Krick went the distance for the Cardinals, chalking up his fourth win against one loss. He also raised his strikeout total to 77. Forbes Stewart, in a relief role, was charged with the loss although he did not dish up the home run pitch to Johnson. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness. Playing-manager Craig Friebe was the big gun at the dish for the Millionaires with a three-run homer in the fourth and a two-run circuit clout in the sixth as he drove in five of the six Melville runs.
Mello, F. Stewart (7) (L), Friebe (7) and Friebe, Exner (7)
Krick (W) and Johnson
Southern League standings (as of end of June 20)
W L Pct.
Regina Red Sox 7 1 .875
Yorkton Cardinals 6 2 .750
Moose Jaw Regals 4 5 .444
Melville Millionaires 2 6 .250
Swift Current Indians 2 7 .222
(June 21} A pair of Yorkton Cardinals, Don Laube and Don Krick, have taken the early lead in the 1968 Southern League's batting and pitching derbies. Statistics published in the Regina Leader-Post which include games played to June 10, show Laube leading the batting race with a healthy .556 average while Krick leads the loop's hurlers in wins, strikeouts, walks and innings pitched. Laube has hit safely in 10 of 18 official trips to the plate and shares the league lead in hits with Brian Keegan and Harvey Nybo, both of the Swift Current Indians. In 38 innings of mound work, Krick has collected a fantastic total of 63 strikeouts while chalking up a 3 - 0 won - loss record up to June 10, He has since lost one decision. In those three games up to June 10, he walked 15 and allowed 16 hits. Moose Jaw Regals' import Ned Andreoni holds down the runner-up spot behind Laube with six hits in 13 plate appearances for a .482 average. Melville's Pete Rieben is the league-leader in home runs with three. Second baseman Jim Paisley of the Regina Red Sox holds the lead in runs-batted-in race with six.
(June 22) The Moose Jaw Regals thrashed the Melville Millionaires 11 to 2 in the first of a three-game weekend road swing through the eastern part of the Southern League. Winning pitcher Roy Rowley, Jim Booth and Stu Heron of the Regals all had three hits. Dave Mello's two singles were tops for Melville.
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
F. Stewart (L), Bellegarde (7), Rieben (9) and Friebe
(June 22) The resurgent Swift Current Indians bumped off the first-place Regina Red Sox 3 to 1 in the opener of a two-game weekend set in Speedy Creek. The Reginans threw one of their aces against the Tribe but, on this evening, Fred Cardwell was no match for the one-hit pitching of Tom Sharpe. The Indians tagged Cardwell for seven hits, including two singles each by Sharpe and Ron McKechney. Jackie McLeod chipped in with a triple.
Cardwell (L) and Logan
Sharpe (W) and Nybo
(June 23) The Moose Jaw Regals found their feet in Yorkton's Jubilee Park as they blanked the Yorkton Cardials 8 to 0 behind the three-hit, 14 strikeout pitching of Dale Hogg. Moose Jaw's Ned Andreoni was a terror at the plate, belting out a pair of two-run homers.
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
Harkness (L) and Johnson
(June 23) The Regina Red Sox went down to defeat 6 to 1 at the hands of the Swift Current Indians as the Tribe completed a sweep of their weekend series in the Frontier City. The Indians got to losing pitcher Doug Homme for nine hits in chalking up the comfortable win. Rick Jaggars hurled a four-hitter for the Tribe. Two singles by Tom Sharpe and Brian Dickie's home run highlighted the Swift Current offense.
Homme (L) and Logan
Jaggars (W) and Nybo
(June 23) The Melville Millionaires found some revenge for their loss of yesterday as they nipped the Moose Jaw Regals 4 to 2 at Regional Park. The Moneymen out-hit the visitors 7 to 3 as Brian Marchinko had his best pitching outing of the season. Bev Hicke and Craig Friebe of Melville and Roy Rowley of the Regals all had doubles.
Seredick (L), Heron (3) and Tollefson
Marchinko (W), Mello (8) and Friebe
(June 26) The Yorkton Cardinals rode the three-hit pitching of Don Krick to a 9 to 1 Southern League victory over the Melville Millionaires. The win lifted the Cards into a first-place tie with the Regina Red Sox. The loss left the Millionaires in the cellar. Krick, an import who plays college ball at Fresno State, struck out 12 Melville batters to run his total for the season to 81 in 51 2/3 innings. Import righthander Dave Mello went the distance for the Millionaires, giving up eight hits in taking the loss. Ed Stefureak led the winners at the platter with a double and single.
Krick (W) and Johnson, Wilcox (2)
Mello (L) and Friebe
(June 27) The Regina Red Sox and Yorkton Cardinals, co-leaders of the southern League, met for a second time this season and, for the second time, failed to reach a decision. The clubs battled for 12 innings before darkness forced them to settle for a 2 - 2 tie at Mount Pleasant Park. Both teams rattled off five hits as well as playing errorless defensively. Larry Bachiu had two of Regina's five bingles. Steve Sobkow singled twice for the Redbirds.
Harkness and Wilcox
Sawa, Cardwell (7) and Logan
(June 27) Playing at Mitchell Field in the Frontier City, Roy Rowley hummed a one-hit shutout past the Swift Current Indians as the visiting Moose Jaw Regals prevailed 2 to 0. Jim Booth and Larry Tollefson led Moose Jaw's nine-hit attack against the Tribe with a pair of singles each.
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
Sharpe (L), W. Meyers (6), Wall (9) and Nybo
(June 30) Meeting for the third time this season, the first two games having ended as ties, the Yorkton Cardinals won a disputed 6 to 4 decision from the Regina Red Sox to take over first place in the Southern League. Import portsider Don Krick went the distance for the Crds to get his sixth win. He also ran his string of strikeout victims to 97 as he mowed down 16 Reginans. Doug Homme also went the route for the Scarlet Hose. The Red Sox played the game under protest from the fifth inning on after the Cardinals had broken a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the bottom of that inning. The protest resulted when pinch-hitter Don Laube failed to touch first base after being intentionally walked and before being replaced by a pinch-runner. At the time, there were two out and runners at second and third. Merv Laube followed his brother Don to the plate and blooped a single over second base to score a pair of runs. The Redbirds upped their lead to 4 to 0 with another brace in the seventh only to have the Red Sox come alive for four runs in the top of the eighth with Stu Willison's two-run double driving in the tying markers. Yorkton produced the winning and insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth with Mike Harkness and Keith Washenfelder hitting run-scoring singles.
Homme (L) and Bachiu
Krick (W) and Wilcox
(July 2) Jim Booth's three-run homer in the eighth inning powered the Moose Jaw Regals to a 5 to 2 win over the Swift Current Indians at Ross Wells Park. Jim Seredick scattered seven hits and struckout seven to pick up his first Southern League win. Import Rick Jaggars allowed nine Moose Jaw hits, including Booth's dinger, in taking the loss. Harvey Nybo's two-run single in the third had given the Tribe a 2 to 1 lead that stood until Booth hit his circuit-clout. Ron McKechney hit a pair of singles to lead the Indians at the plate. Moose Jaw's Dennis Williams had a triple and single while teammate Roy Rowley produced a double and one-bagger.
Jaggars (L) and Nybo
Seredick (W) and Tollefson
(July 3) Fred Cardwell unfurled a dandy one-hitter, with 14 strikeouts, at Melville's Regional Park in guiding the Regina Red Sox to a 4 to 0 victory over the Melville Millionaires. Import righthander Don Mello also turned in a fine mound performance in a losing cause for the Millionaires, surrendering just five hits. Cardwell turned out to be a tiger at the plate as well, collecting the Red Sox' first hit off Mello, a run-scoring single in the third that turned out to be the game-winning hit.
Cardwell (W) and Logan
Mello (L) and Friebe
(July 3) Import righthander Mike Harkness limited the homesters to only six hits, only one of which went out of the infield, as the visiting Yorkton Cardinals nipped the third-place Moose Jaw Regals 5 to 4. Catcher Rollie Wilcox had a run-scoring double plus a single against loser Roy Rowley to pace the Cards at the plate. Harkness, Reg Coles and Nelson Bryksa all singled twice for the Redbirds. Tim Young was the only Regals' batter to get more than one hit, connecting for a pair of one-baggers.
Harkness (W) and Wilcox
Rowley (L) and Tollefson
(July 4) Stu Willison, in the starting line-up at home for the first time this season, responded by collecting three RBI's with a home run and two singles in leading the Regina Red Sox to a 4 to 2 victory over the Swift Current Indians. The win for Regina lifted them to within a half game of the Southern League leading Yorkton Cardinals. Rookie lefthander Randy Sawa went the distance on the mound for the red Sox, earning his fifth win. Sawa gave up just four hits while striking out six. Righthander Tom Sharpe, with an eight-hitter, was hit with the loss. Harvey Nybo collected two of Swift Current's four hits.
Sharpe (L) and Nybo
Sawa (W) and Logan
(July 6) The Yorkton Cardinals padded their Southern League lead when they edged past the Moose Jaw Regals 6 to 5 in the first of a pair of weekend games with the Mill City crew. Mike Harkness hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to provide the Cards with the come-from behind victory. Don Krick ran his strikeout total to 112 as he fanned 15 in picking up his seventh win for Yorkton. Harkness also had a pair of singles off losing chucker Jim Seredick to go along with his four-bagger. Ned Andreoni led the Regals with four safeties in five trips, including a triple.
Seredick (L) and Tollefson
Krick (W) and Wilcox
(July 6) In a battle for the fourth and last Southern League playoff spot, the Swift Current Indians scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to nip the Melville Millionaires 6 to 5. Ron McKechney's two-run single capped the Indians' comeback in snatching the victory from the Millionaires. Brian Marchinko of the Moneymen had been working on a one-hitter until the ninth. Melville reliever Dennis Bulin was hit with the loss. Dave Mello had a pair of doubles and a single for the Millionaires.
Marchinko, Bulin (9) (L) and Friebe
Jaggars, Wall (6) (W) and Nybo
(July 7) The Yorkton Cardinals won another close game from the Moose Jaw Regals, this time by a 3 to 2 margin, to sweep their weekend double-dip. Mike Harkness scattered six hits to take the pitching win over Roy Rowley. Catcher Larry Tollefson of the Regals had a bases-empty home run for Moose Jaw. Andy Boleziuk tripled for the Cardinals.
Rowley (L) and Tollefson
Harkness (W) and Johnson
(July 7) The Melville Millionaires bounced back from last evening's devastating loss to edge the Swift Current Indians 2 to 1. Dave Mello pitched a three-hitter for Melville to get credit for the win. Wayne McKee's bases-loaded single in the sixth drove in the winning run. Mello had a double and single in support of his mound work.
Mello (W) and Friebe
McLeod, Sharpe (5) (L) and Nybo
(July 10) The Yorkton Cardinals managed only four hits but it was enough to post a 2 to 0 Southern League victory over the Regina Red Sox at Mount Pleasant Park. The victory pushed the Redbirds two and a half games in front of the Reginans in their battle for first place. The Red Sox managed five hits off winner Don Krick but couldn't come up with a safe hit when needed as they left nine runners stranded. Meanwhile, Krick blew third strikes past ten Red Sox batters to run his season's total to 128. Loser Fred Cardwell gave up just four hits, three in the third inning when the Cards scored both their runs. Catcher Rollie Wilcox drove in what proved to be the winning run in the third when he lashed a triple to right centre scoring Nelson Bryksa who had singled. Wilcox then scored when Mike Harkness singled.
Krick (W) and Wilcox
Cardwell (L) and Bachiu
(July 10) The Swift Current Indians took advantage of 14 walks issued by two Moose Jaw pitchers to beat the Regals 8 to 1 at Mitchell Field. Both teams had five hits. Wayne Commodore's two-run double in the third got the Indians rolling and, after that, bases on balls and Moose Jaw errors led to a cakewalk for the Tribe. Larry Tollefson accounted for the Regals' lone run with a solo homer in the fourth.
Pettapiece (L), Andreoni (7) and Tollefson
Wall (W), McKechney (8), W. Meyers (9) and Nybo
Southern League standings (as of end of July 10)
W L Pct.
Yorkton Cardinals 12 3 .800
Regina Red Sox 9 5 .643
Moose Jaw Regals 8 10 .444
Swift Current Indians 6 11 .353
Melville Millionaires 4 10 .286
(July 11) The Regina Red Sox pounced on the last-place Melville Millionaires for an 8 to 4 Southern League victory. Lefthander Doug Homme scattered six hits to gain the win for the Red Sox, his fourth against two defeats. Brian Marchinko, the first of four Melville hurlers, was charged with the loss. Stu Willison paced the Regina offensive attack with a triple and single. Wayne Thompson had a pair of singles for the Millionaires.
Homme (W) and Bachiu
Marchinko (L), McKee (2), Bulin (4), Bellegarde (7) and Friebe, J. Stewart (5)
(July 14) The Yorkton Cardinals trimmed the Melville Millionaires 5 to 1 in a Southern League game in Yorkton to pad their first-place margin. Import righthander Mike Harkness chalked up his fourth Southern League win on a nine-hitter. Dave Mello took the loss for Melville. Don Laube paced an eleven-hit Yorkton attack with a double and two singles. Don Gelowitz had a double and single while playing-manager Ed Stefureak came through with a pair of one-baggers. Bev Hickie collected a double and single to lead the Millionaires at the plate while Wayne Thompson and Doug Biro added a pair of singles each.
Mello (L) and Friebe
Harkness (W) and Johnson
(July 16) The Regina Red Sox dipped into the junior ranks and the move paid off in a last-inning 4 to 3 Southern League victory over the Melville Millionaires. Catcher Bram Wonko, a call-up from the junior Red Sox, looped a two-out, run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth to put the finishing touches on a Regina comeback. A run scoring single by Dave Mello had given the Millionaires a 3 to 2 lead in the seventh but Jim Paisley's solo homer in the eighth off losing lefthander Chris Riddell evened the score, setting the stage for Wonko's dramatic debut. Paisley wound up with a double to go along with his dinger. Outfielder Warren Kivell showed some signs of snapping out of his hitting doldrums by smashing a pair of doubles for the Sox. Fred Cardwell got the win with a stellar relief job.
Riddell (L) and J. Stewart, Exner (1)
Seeley, Cardwell (W) (6) and Logan, Wonko (9)
(July 16) The Swift Current Indians and Moose Jaw Regals battled to a 2 - 2 tie before darkness halted the game after ten innings. A solo homer by Wayne Commodore and a run-scoring single by Tom Sharpe staked the Indians to a 2 to 1 lead in the fifth. Tim Young had two singles to drive in both Moose Jaw runs, one in the second and the other in the eighth frame. Dennis Williams of the Regals also singled twice.
Sharpe, Jaggars (10) and Nybo
LeBere, Seredick (8) and Tollefson
(July 18) Giant-sized righthander Rick Jaggars of the Swift Current Indians made a bad throw to first base in the eighth inning and the miscue resulted in a 7 to 6 Southern League victory for the Regina Red Sox. The Reginans scored the winner in the bottom of the eighth without getting a base hit but alert base-running by Warren Kivell and Andy Logan produced the winning run after Jaggars had pulled first baseman Brian Keegan off the bag on Kivell's tap back to the mound. Rich Gergley with two doubles as well as Larry Bachiu and Gene Yellowega with two singles apiece were the top hitters for the Sox. Rick Sentes and Cliff Mein each hit a double and single for the Tribe.
Wall, Jaggars (3) (L) and Nybo
Sawa, Homme (8) (W) and Logan
(July 22) The Regina Red Sox put on one of their best displays of the season and the result was a 5 to 1 Southern League victory over the Melville Millionaires. Lefthander Doug Homme went the distance to earn his sixth win for the Red Sox. Homme scattered seven hits and struck out ten. Newly installed playing-manager Dave Mello of the Millionaires took the loss. Stu Willison and Glenn Thompson both had a double plus a pair of singles off Mello to lead the Reginans offensively. Jack Buch and Homme followed with a brace of singles each.. Outfielder Bev Hickie and Mello were best with the stick for the Moneymen with two hits each with one of Mello's being a double.
Mello (L) and Exner
Homme (W) and Bachiu
(July 23) Playing each other for the fifth time this season, the Regina Red Sox and Yorkton Cardinals again failed to reach a clear-cut decision, the third time this has happened. The two clubs battled to a ten-inning scoreless tie at Jubilee Park. The result was a tough one for Red Sox pitcher Fred Cardwell as the big righthander pitched a brilliant game, allowing only two baserunners during the entire ten innings. Cardwell gave up singles to Yorkton pitcher Mike Harkness in the first and Gord Johnson in the seventh and only Harkness got as far as second base. Harkness also went the route, giving up eight hits and striking out 12. Jack Buch led Regina's eight-hit offense with a pair of singles.
Cardwell and Logan
Harkness and Johnson
(July 24) The Yorkton Cardinals exploded for eight runs in the second inning and then coasted to a 9 to 6 victory over the Melville Millionaires. The win stretched Yorkton's lead atop the Southern League to a game and a half. Lefthander Bill Sobkow, making only his third start on the mound for the Cards, went the route for the win. He helped his own cause with a grand-slam homer that capped the eight-run second frame. Loser Chris Riddell was sent packing in the second stanza when the Redbirds had their offensive eruption. Forbes Stewart took over and fanned 13 while allowing four hits the rest of the way. Don Gelowitz, a former Millionaires' player, connected for a solo homer in the eighth for Yorkton's other run. Nelson Bryksa singled twice in adding to the Cards' offense. Playing-manager Dave Mello had a triple and single to drive in three melville runs. Doug Biro chipped in with three singles and Wayne McKee collected a brace of one-baggers.
B. Sobkow (W) and Johnson
Riddell (L), F. Stewart (2) and J. Stewart, Exner (4)
(July 27) The latest statistics released by the Southern league show that Dave Mello, the Melville Millionaires' playing-manager, has accumulated 16 hits in 40 times at bat for a league-leading .400 average. That amounts to a 71 percentage point lead over Larry Tollefson , the Moose Jaw Regals' catcher who holds second place at .329. Another member of the Regals, playing-manager Dennis Williams is third with a .311 average.
Tollefson leads in RBI's with 14 and hits with 24. He also shares the home run leadership with Wayne Commodore of the Swift Current Indians with three apiece. Commodore has five doubles to to lead in that category while teammate Ron McKechney had drawn the most bases on balls, 16. Ned Andreoni and Tim Young of Moose Jaw, along with Andy Logan of the Regina Red Sox, share the lead in triples with two each. Andreoni has scored the most runs, 15.
Pitcher Don Krick of the Yorkton Cardinals has a stranglehold on virtually every pitching department. The Fresno, California native has rung up an amazing total of 136 strikeouts. He also tops the league's hurlers in ininnings pitched, 86 2/3, and victories with eight. Krick also has the dubious honor of having allowed 57 hits and of issuing 39 free passes to lead in those categories. Regina Red Sox lefthander Randy Sawa sports the best record of five wins and no losses. Tom Sharpe of Swift Current has suffered the most pitching losses with six.
(July 27) Playing-manager Dave Mello handcuffed the Swift Current Indians with a two-hit pitching performance as the Melville Millionaires captured the first game of their weekend twin-bill with the Tribe by a 4 to 0 count. Mello also did well at the plate for the Millionaires, collecting a pair of singles and driving in what turned out to be the winning run of the game in the third inning. Wayne Thompson also picked up a pair of one-baggers for the Moneymen while Chris Riddell drove in a pair of runs with a single and a sacrifice fly. Cliff Mein was the only member of the Indians to get to Mello as he laced out two singles.
Wall (L) and Nybo
Mello (W) and Exner
(July 28) The Yorkton Cardinals moved a step closer to clinching the Southern League pennant when the beat the Swift Current Indians 3 to 2 at Jubilee Park. The Redbirds out-hit the Tribe 11 to 7. A wild pitch by reliever Ron McKechney with the bases loaded in the ninth inning provided the Cardinals with the winning run. Bill Sobkow, who relieved starter Mike Harkness in the third, got the win.
Jaggars (L), McKechney (9) and Nybo
Harkness, B. Sobkow (3) (W) and Wilcox
(July 28) The Swift Current Indians rebounded from a pair of weekend losses to win the third of their eastern road trip when they dumped the Melville Millionaires 8 to 4. The Indians left little doubt about the outcome of this game as they struck early with two runs in the first and five in the second. Ron McKechney led the Indians from the batters' box with two singles and a double. Harvey Nybo with three singles and Brian Keegan with a pair of one-baggers were the other top hitters for Swift Current.
Sharpe (W), McKechney (7), Wall (7) and Nybo
Riddell (L). F. Stewart (2), Thompson (8) and Exner
Southern League standings (as of end of July 28)
W L Pct
Yorkton Cardinals 15 3 .833
Regina Red Sox 13 5 .722
Moose Jaw Regals 8 10 .444
Swift Current Indians 7 14 .333
Melville Millionaires 5 16 .238
(July 31) The Regina Red Sox scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Swift Current Indians 6 to 4 in a Southern League game at Mitchell Field. Lefthander Doug Homme struck out five and surrendered seven hits in picking up his seventh win of the campaign. Import righthander Rick Jaggars, in relief of starter Wayne Meyers, was saddled with the loss. Larry Bachiu led Regina's ten-hit offensive thrust with a home run and single. Gene Yellowega connected for a double and single while Homme and Stu Willison both singled twice. Harvey Nybo was best for the Indians with the hickory, drilling a double and single.
Homme (W) and Logan
W. Meyers, Jaggars (6) (L) and Nybo
(August 1) The Moose Jaw Regals trounced the Melville Millionaires 7 to 1 at Regional Park. A double steal and a throwing error on the same play provided the Regals with a pair of runs in the sixth and the margin of victory. They went on to pad that lead in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Roy Rowley and a two-run homer by Ned Andreoni. Moose Jaw added two more in the ninth after Melville had scored their lone run in the eighth on Wayne Thompson's double. Andreoni, in relief of starter Jim Seredick, got the pitching win over Dave Mello. Rowley was the top hitter for the Regals with three singles while Andreoni collected a single to go along with his dinger. Thompson had a pair of singles in addition to his two-bagger to lead the Moneymen offensively.
Seredick, Andreoni (5) (W) and Tollefson
Mello (L) and Exner
(August 1) The Regina Red Sox thumped the Yorkton Cardinals 8 to 0 and put the heat on the league-leaders by reducing their margin to a half game. The Sox put the game away early, striking for all eight of their counters in the first two frames and then riding the two-hit pitching of Randy Sawa for the blowout. Warren Kivell was the leading hitter for the Sox with three singles off loser Mike Harkness. Rich Gergley, Larry Bachiu and Jack Buch each had a pair of hits with Gergley's three-run homer standing out as the most damaging to the Cards.
Harkness (L) and Johnson
Sawa (W), Cardwell (9) and Logan
(August 2) The Moose Jaw Regals chalked up their second Southern League victory in as many nights over the Melville Millionaires, downing the Moneymen 13 to 3 at Ross Wells Park. Veteran Wayne LeBere gave up nine hits in recording his second win. The Regals were led at the dish by Roy Rowley who had a double and three singles. Catcher Larry Tollefson was close behind, collecting a two-bagger and a pair of singles. Playing-manager Dave Mello hit a two-run homer for the Millionaires.
F. Stewart (L), McKee (8), Thompson (8) and J. Stewart
LeBere (W) and Tollefson
(August 3) The Yorkton Cardinals scored an unearned run in the first inning and made it stand up for a 1 to 0 victory over the Swift Current Indians. In an epic mound joust, Don Krick of the Cardinals emerged the victor, striking out 14, while giving up five hits, two of them to Ron McKechney. Righthander Rick Jaggars, who pitched probably his best game of the season for Swift Current, fanned eleven while surrendering but four hits. Krick whiffed every member of the Tribe at least once while Jaggars threw third strikes past every Cardinal with the exception of Nelson Bryksa who scored the game's only run after hitting a single and coming around on a pair of Swift Current errors.
Krick (W) and Johnson
Jaggars (L) and Nybo
(August 4) The Moose Jaw Regals downed the Melville Millionaires 6 to 4 at Ross Wells Park to edge over the .500 mark. Garry Andrew's run-scoring single and a sacrifice fly by winning pitcher Stu Heron gave the Regals breathing room in the eighth and sealed the deal for the win. Moose Jaw's Ivan Gutfriend and Wayne Thompson of the Millionaires both had home runs with Gutfriend's three-run blast plating the initial markers of the game.
Marchinko (L), Mello (8) and J. Stewart
Rowley, Heron (6) (W), Andreoni (8) and Tollefson
(August 6) The Moose Jaw Regals did the Regina Red Sox a big favor by knocking off the Yorkton Cardinals 5 to 3 at Ross Wells Park. Versatile Roy Rowley went the distance for the victory over Yorkton's Mike Harkness. Rowley and his battery mate Larry Tollefson led the Regals at the platter with two singles each. Ed Stefureak paced Yorkton's attack with a double and two singles. Gord Johnson, Reg Coles and Nelson Bryksa all singled twice for the Cardinals.
Harkness (L) and Johnson
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
(August 8) A protest filed by the Regina Red Sox following a loss in Yorkton on June 30, which was temporarily upheld, has now been reversed meaning that no replay will be necessary nor any adjustments to the standings will be made.
(August 8) The Regina Red Sox and the home-town Yorkton Cardinals battled to a 3 - 3 stalemate, the fourth time these two clubs fighting for the Southern League pennant have failed to produce a winner. Yorkton rapped nine hits off Red Sox hurler Gene Yellowega who worked the entire nine-inning stint. Don Krick twirled a two-hitter in the eight innings he worked off the hill for the Cards, whiffing 13, before turning the ball over to Mike Harkness in the last frame. Jack Buch's ninth-inning single off Harkness drove in Larry Bachiu to give the Red Sox the tie. Ed Stefureak blasted a solo home run for the Redbirds and also contributed a single to their nine-hit offense.
Yellowega and Logan
Krick, Harkness (9) and Johnson
Southern League standings (as of end of August 8)
W L Pct.
Yorkton Cardinals 16 5 .762
Regina Red Sox 15 5 .750
Moose Jaw Regals 12 10 .545
Swift Current Indians 7 16 .304
Melville Millionaires 5 19 .203
(August 9) Dave Seeley, an 18 year-old rookie righthander, scattered five hits to guide the Regina Red Sox to a 7 to 1 victory over the Yorkton Cardinals and a half-game lead in their tussle for the Southern League pennant. The Red Sox came out of the oening frame with a 6 to 0 frame as Ed Stefureak, making his first start of the season on the hill for the Cardinals, had control problems and dug himself a big hole to crawl out of. Meanwhile, the youthful Regina hurler never allowed a Yorkton runner past second base until the eighth inning. Both teams wound up with five base hits. Jerry Zrymiak had a double and single for the winners.
Stefureak (L) and Gelowitz
Seeley (W) and Logan, Wonko (6)
(August 10) The Regina Red Sox captured the 1968 Southern League pennant with a final game 7 to 1 victory over the Yorkton Cardinals in Yorkton's Jubilee Park. Rookie lefthander Randy Sawa pitched a four-hitter in posting his seventh win of the season for the Sox. Sawa struck out ten and helped his own cause with a double. Import righthander Mike Harkness absorbed the loss, giving up 11 hits and fanning 12. The Red Sox jumped into a 3 to 0 lead in the third inning, sparked by Andy Logan's two-run homer, and never let up on offense. Al Herback paced the Sox at the plate with three singles while Jack Buch had a pair of one-baggers. Don Laube with two singles had half the base hits manufactured by the runner-ups. The Red Sox will now face the fourth-place Swift Current Indians in one semi-final while the second place Cardinals will take on the Moose Jaw Regals in the other.
Sawa (W) and Logan
Harkness (L) and Johnson
Southern League final standings
W L Pct.
Regina Red Sox 17 5 .773
Yorkton Cardinals 16 7 .696
Moose Jaw Regals 12 10 .545
Swift Current Indians 7 16 .304
Melville Millionaires 5 19 .208
SEMI - FINAL PLAYOFF SERIES
(August 11) Gord Johnson's three-run homer lifted the defending champion Yorkton Cardinals to a 6 to 3 victory over the Moose Jaw Regals in the opening game of their Southern League semi-final series. Lefthander Bill Sobkow scattered nine hits to pick up the mound decision. Roy Rowley went the distance for the Regals giving up seven hits. Don Laube of the Cardinals collected a double and single for the winners
Rowley (L) and Tollefson
B. Sobkow (W) and Johnson
(August 11) The pennant-winning Regina Red Sox scored an unearned run in the fourth inning and made it stand up for a 1 to 0 victory over the Swift Current Indians in the first game of their semi-final series. Lefthander Doug Homme of the Sox and import righthander Tom Sharpe hooked up in a mound joust in spite of both having nagging leg injuries. Both chuckers surrendered four hits throughout the contest. Rich Gergley singled home the only run of the game in the fourth following two disputed calls, one at first involving an error and the other at second on a stolen base.
Sharpe (L) and Nybo, McKechney (8)
Homme (W) and Logan
(August 13) The Moose Jaw Regals took advantage of home grounds to even their semi-final series with the Yorkton Cardinals. Riding the four-hit pitching of veteran southpaw Wayne LeBere, the Regals battered the Redbirds 9 to 2. LeBere fanned nine while limiting the Cards to four singles. He also helped his own cause with a solo homer. Losing hurler Mike Harkness fanned 11 and gave up nine hits including a pair of doubles to Roy Rowley. Three wild pitches by the Fresno State righthander resulted in three Moose Jaw runs. Rowley also had a single to go along with his brace of two-baggers while outfielder Barrie Day singled twice for the winners. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness.
Harkness (L) and Johnson
LeBere (W) and Tollefson
(August 13) The hometown Swift Current Indians edged the Regina Red Sox 3 to 2 behind the six-hit pitching of Rick Jaggars to tie their playoff set-to with the 1968 pennant-winners. Jaggars had a shutout going until the seventh inning when the Sox scored their only two runs on Jim Paisley's two-run homer. Three consecutive singles in the eighth produced the winning run for the Indians. Ron McKechney, Harvey Nybo and Brian Keegan hit a pair of singles each for the Tribe. Stu Willison reciprocated for the Red Stockings.
Sawa (L) and Logan
Jaggars (W) and Nybo
(August 17) The Regina Red Sox took a two games to one lead in one Southern League semi-final when they dropped the Swift Current Indians 5 to 3 at Mount Pleasant Park. The Queen City gang out-hit the visitors from Speedy Creek 8 to 5. Heading into the bottom of the seventh facing a 1 to 0 deficit, the Crimson Hose exploded for all five of their tallies on four singles and a two-run double by Stu Willison.
Jaggars (L), Wall (7) and Nybo
Homme (W), Cardwell (9) and Logan
(August 17) Dale Hogg continued to shine as he twirled a masterful three-hitter for the Moose Jaw Regals as they blanked the Yorkton Cardinals 6 to 0 at Jubilee Park. The win against the Cardinals' ace lefthander Don Krick put the underdog Regals in front in the best-three-out-of-five series by a two games to one margin. Hogg fanned nine as did Krick in the six innings that he worked on the rubber. The Regals wound up with eight hits in the contest, six off the slants of Krick and two against reliever Bill Sobkow.
Krick (L), B. Sobkow (7) and Johnson
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
(August 18) The Swift Current Indians blanked the Regina Red Sox 2 to 0 at Mitchell Field as import righthander Tom Sharpe threw a three-hitter at the Scarlet Hose. Their series, now tied at two games apiece, boils down to a sudden-death match. Sharpe was responsible for the Indians' first run, the only one he really needed, when he laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to score Harvey Nybo from third. Jackie McLeod wound up as the game's top batter with a triple and single.
Sawa (L) and Logan
Sharpe (W) and Nybo
(August 23) The Regina Red Sox came through with a well-deserved 4 to 3 win in the fifth and final game of their semi-final series with the Swift Current Indians. Regina lefthander Doug Homme continued his mastery over the Tribe, stopping them on three hits. Swift Current led 4 to 3 entering the bottom of the sixth but Al Herback of the Red Sockings came through with a solid double to drive in the tying and winning markers. Andy Logan had a solo homer for the winners while Larry Bachiu touched up losing hurler Tom Sharpe for a brace of base hits.
Sharpe (L) and Nybo
Homme (W) and Logan
(August 24) The Moose Jaw Regals scored an impressive 6 to 0 win over the Yorkton Cardinals to win their best-of-five series three games to one. Dale Hogg pitched the underdog Regals into the final round against the Regina Red Sox by handcuffing the Yorkton batters on just three hits while fanning five. Mike Harkness, on the mound for the Cardinals, was tagged for 11 hits while whiffing five. Leading 2 to 0 when they came to bat in the fourth, the Regals put the game out of reach by scoring four more runs. Barrie Day and Dennis Williams led the Regals at the plate with three singles apiece while Ned Andreoni connected for a brace of safeties. The Friendly City bunch now heads into the league finals to face the pennant winning Regina Red Sox in another best-of-five series.
Harkness (L) and Johnson
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
(August 24) Individual award winners for the 1968 Southern League were announced in the Regina Leader-Post of this date. Lefthanded pitcher Don Krick of the Yorkton Cardinals was voted as the most valuable player in the league and will receive the Heinie Rogers Memorial Trophy in recognition of such. Another southpaw chucker, Randy Sawa of the Regina Red Sox took the rookie honors, winning the Father Athol Murray Trophy. Larry Tollefson of the Moose Jaw Regals won the top catcher honors and the Gus Riddler Memorial Trophy.
LEAGUE FINAL SERIES
(August 26) The Regina Red Sox continued to display their superiority in the Southern League by scoring a 3 to 1 win over the Moose Jaw Regals in the first game of the best-of-five final series. The Red Sox played errorless ball behind the three-hit pitching of Fred Cardwell who whiffed eight in the tightly contested game. Wayne LeBere, on the mound for Moose Jaw, also came up with a well-pitched game, giving up five hits while fanning six. Taking a 1 to 0 lead in the second on an overthrow to third base in an attempt to catch a runner, the Sox increased the margin to 2 to 0 in the third on Gene Yellowaga's bases-empty homer. Roy Rowley's sixth inning sacrifice fly drove in Moose Jaw's lone tally. Rich Gergley scored Regina's insurance run in the seventh on a single by Cardwell.
LeBere (L) and Tollefson
Cardwell (W) and Logan
(August 27) The Moose Jaw Regals scored the only run of the ball game in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn a 1 to 0 win over the Regina Red Sox and even the best-of-five finals at one game each. Locked in a pitcher's duel, Moose Jaw's Dale Hogg and Doug Homme of the Red Sox fought tooth and nail, both allowing only five hits. Neither pitcher allowed a walk as Hogg fanned five and Homme struck out eight. Barry Day singled with one down in the bottom of the ninth, stole second during a strikeout and scored the game's only run on Ned Andreoni's clutch single. Day wound up with two singles, the only player in the game to stroke more than one hit.
Homme (L) and Logan
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
(August 30) Scoring eight runs in the second inning and adding two more in the third, the Moose Jaw Regals built up an insurmountable lead and cruised to a 13 to 3 seven-inning thrashing of the Regina Red Sox in the third game of the Southern League finals. The one-sided win pushed the Regals into a two games to one lead in the series, one win away from capturing all the marbles. Outfielder Stu Heron paced the Regals 11-hit barrage with three singles. Garry Andrews collected a triple and single. Winning pitcher Wayne LeBere singled twice. Larry Bachiu with two singles was the only Red Sox player to get more than one hit.
Sawa (L), Ruhr (2), Seely (3) and Logan
LeBere (W) and Tollefson
(September 1) The Moose Jaw Regals put the finishing touch to a tremendous post-season drive, beating the Regina Red Sox 4 to 3 at Mount Pleasant Park to capture the 1968 Southern League championship and the Pop Harvey Memorial Trophy. The Regals took the best-of-five final three games to one after a so-so regular season. The Regals finished third in the standings and, based on their season's play, were expected to provide just token opposition for the second-place Yorkton Cardinals. However, such was not the case as the Regals eliminated the defending champions in four games and then proceeded to hand the same treatment to the pennant-winning Red Sox. The finale was called in the eighth inning which had started but could not be completed because of darkness. Righthander Dale Hogg chalked up the mound decision for the Regals, his fourth victory of the playoffs. He allowed the Red Sox only five hits. Fred Cardwell went all the way for the Red Sox giving up seven hits. The Reginans pushed across three runs in the opening frame before Moose Jaw had retired a batter. A bases-loaded single by Andy Logan accounted for two of the counters while the third was the result of an infield error. Roy Rowley's run scoring triple in the third and a two-run triple by Jim Booth in the fourth pulled the Regals even. Larry Tollefson's second double of the game scored Rowley, who had walked, with what turned out to be the winning run in the fifth. After the opening inning, the Red Sox failed to mount a threat as Hogg silenced what, if any, punch was left in the Regina bats.
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
Cardwell (L) and Logan