SOUTHERN LEAGUE
Stability within the Southern League continued in 1969 as all five teams returned to the fold. All clubs, however, with the exception of the Regina Red Sox, made managerial changes. Harvey Nybo, the veteran catcher for the Swift Current Indians, took over as the new skipper of the Tribe after the departure of Ron McKechney. Gord Johnson, the Yorkton Cardinals' backstop for the past few years, moved down the road to Melville to take over the reins of the Millionaires and coaxed his former Cardinals' manager, Ed Stefureak, out of retirement to join him in mid-July. Dennis Williams' decision not to return left the door open for Lorne Humphreys to assume the pilot's position with the Moose Jaw Regals. Lastly, Keith Washenfelder, an outfielder with the Yorkton Cardinals for the past two seasons, took over the helm of that club.
One significant change adopted by the Southern League for 1969 play involved the handling of tie games. During the previous campaign, there were a plethora of deadlocked games which created a backlog of scheduled games to be replayed, some of which never happened because of time restraints. The new system adopted will be one which has been used in hockey circles over the years, with two points up for grabs each game. The percentage system in determining league standings of the past has now been abandoned. So, beginning in 1969, games in which a winner has not been determined will not be replayed and, instead, each team will be awarded one point.
(May 24) The Moose Jaw Regals opened the 1969 season with a 9 to 8 slugfest victory over the Swift Current Indians at Mitchell Field. The two teams combined for 26 hits as pitchers were regularly roughed up. Catcher Larry Tollefson ripped a three-run four-bagger plus a single for the Regals. Barrie Day collected a double and single for the Regals while winning hurler Roy Rowley and infielder Ned Andreoni both singled twice. Al Marshall smacked a pair of singles and a two-run homer for Swift Current. Teammate Wayne Commodore also had three hits including a double while Brian Keegan drilled a solo homer.
Hogg, Rowley (W) and Tollefson
Wall (L), Mein (7) and Mackey
(May 24) Pitching was the name of the game as the Regina Red Sox and Melville Millionaires played to a 1 - 1 draw before darkness forced an end to the contest after eight innings. Both teams were able to muster only three hits apiece as chuckers Ross Stone of the Millionaires as well as Dave Seeley and reliever Randy Sawa of the Red Sox sparkled. Shortstop Al Herback of the Reginans collected two of the three hits off Stone, a single and triple. Under the league's new policy, the game will not be replayed and each team will receive one point in determining the standings.
Stone and Johnson
Seeley, Sawa (5) and Logan
(May 25) With the playing venues reversed from yesterday's tilt, the Moose Jaw Regals again prevailed over the Swift Current Indians in another free-swinging affair, this time by a 13 to 9 count. Although not particularly impressive on the hill, rookie Gary Bock endured in going the distance to get the mound win and clouted a home run and double for good measure. Ned Andreoni continued his hot hand with three singles for Moose Jaw while Barrie Day and Garry Andrews both registered a pair of hits. Catcher Tom Mackey, a former Regal, was the big gun for the Indians, hitting a triple and three singles. Playing-manager Harvey Nybo of the Tribe contributed a brace of one-baggers.
Ball (L), Mein (3), Nybo (9) and Mackey
Bock (W) and Tollefson, Gillies (8)
(May 28) Right-hander Dale Hogg unfurled a five-hitter to guide the Moose Jaw Regals to a 7 to 3 victory over the Regina Red Sox in a Southern League game at Ross Wells Park. The Regals jumped into a 6 to 0 lead after three frames and were never threatened with a major Regina comeback. Barrie Day and Ned Andreoni both had a pair of singles to pace the nine-hit Moose Jaw offense. Larry Bachiu had a solo homer and single for the Sox.
Hoult (L), Mahaffey (3) and Logan
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
(June 1) The Moose Jaw Regals unloaded the heavy artillery at Mount Pleasant Park and came away with a 10 to 2 Southern League victory over the Regina Red Sox. Moose Jaw hammered three Red Sox hurlers for a total of 14 hits, including two homers and four doubles. Ned Andreoni did most of the damage, collecting five runs batted in with a three-run homer in the seventh, a solo circuit blast in the fifth and a run-scoring single in the third. Garry Andrews had a great night as well with three singles and a double. Jim Booth smacked a pair of doubles. Catcher Andy Logan was almost a one-man show at the plate for the inept Red Sox, hitting three singles. Rookie Gary Bock came away with his second Southern League mound victory with a five-hitter.
Bock (W), Longmore (9) and Tollefson
Seeley (L), Yellowega (3), Fellner (7) and Logan
(June 4) The Melville Millionaires erupted for six runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Regina Red Sox 9 to 7 in a Southern League game played at McLeod Park. Wayne Thompson went the distance to pick up the win for Melville. The veteran right-hander allowed eight hits while fanning four. Left-hander Randy Sawa started and lost for Regina, giving way to Gary Korven in the seventh. Two-run doubles by Don Gelowitz and Brian Hicke highlighted the Millionaires' uprising in that frame. Gord Johnson had a solo home run for the winners and Ken Sutherland singled twice.
Sawa (L), Korven (7) and Logan
Thompson (W) and Johnson
(June 7) The unbeaten Moose Jaw Regals opened up their three-game road swing through the eastern part of the league by hammering the Yorkton Cardinals 10 to 2 at Jubilee Park. Dale Hogg held the Cardinals to six hits while fanning four to pick up the mound triumph over Gary Brunetti. Ned Andreoni led the Regal attack with a two-run homer and a single. Jim Booth, Roy Rowley and Tim Young all had two hits for the winners as did Andy Boleziuk of the Redbirds..
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
Brunetti (L) and xxx
(June 7) The Swift Current Indians took the opening game of a weekend pair from the winless Regina Red Sox, slamming the Queen City visitors 8 to 1 at Mitchell Field. The Tribe opened with a bang, taking seven runs from loser Doug Homme in the initial frame and one in the second. Winning hurler Jackie McLeod doubled and singled before being replaced on the hill in the eighth.
Homme (L) and Logan
McLeod (W), Kammerer (8) and Mackey
(June 8) In an early afternoon encounter in Yorkton, the Moose Jaw Regals ran their unbeaten streak to six when they walloped the Yorkton Cardinals 14 to 6. Rookie Gary Bock, again getting superlative offensive support from his mates, won for the third time this season. Yorkton's Ralph Pipes, who was relieved by Ron Fyfe in the sixth inning, was charged with the setback. Ned Andreoni led the Regals at the plate with a homer, triple and single. Roy Rowley also smacked a dinger to go along with a two-bagger.
Bock (W) and Tollefson
Pipes (L), Fyfe (7) and xxx
(June 8) The Regina Red Sox posted their first win of the campaign when they tripped the Swift Current Indians 6 to 2 in the finale of their weekend double-dip in Speedy Creek. The Red Sox blew a tight 1 - 1 game open in the fifth when they plated four runs. The Reginans out-hit the Indians 10 to 8. Swift Current's Wayne Commodore drove out two doubles plus a single.
Seeley (W) and Logan
xxx (L) and Mackey
(June 8) The Melville Millionaires handed the league-leading Moose Jaw Regals their initial setback of the Southern League season when they romped to an 11 to 3 decision in the second-half of their weekend joust in Melville. Left-hander Ross Stone scattered ten hits effectively in picking up the win for the Millionaires, fanning ten along the way. Paul Longmore, who gave way to Roy Rowley in the first inning, suffered the defeat. Stone aided his own cause by belting a double and two singles. Outfielder Bev Hickie whacked a triple and single for the Moneymen while Ned Andreoni pasted a double and single for Moose Jaw.
Longmore (L), Rowley (1) and Tollefson
Stone (W) and Johnson
(June 11) A ninth-inning double by Warren Kivell produced a pair of runs and lifted the Regina Red Sox to a 4 to 3 Southern League victory over the Yorkton Cardinals at Mount Pleasant Park. The win moved the Red Sox into a second place tie with the Melville Millionaires. Randy Sawa struck out eight batters and allowed the same number of Yorkton hits in earning the close decision over the Cardinals' Gary Brunetti. The Yorkton pitcher accounted for two of his team's hits with a double and single and drove in a pair of runs as well.
Sawa (W) and Logan
Brunetti (L) and Seida
(June 13) The Moose Jaw Regals strengthened their hold on top spot in the Southern League with a 13 to 0 trouncing of the Melville Millionaires in a game that was halted after seven innings because of darkness. Winning pitcher Dale Hogg of the Regals was forced to retire in the sixth inning when struck on the finger by Don Gelowitz' line drive. Melville starter Terry Buck was tagged with the setback. Lloyd Hackel was Moose Jaw's leading batter, slamming a double and single. Roy Rowley and Larry Tollefson each added a pair of singles. Gelowitz had three singles for the Moneymen.
Buck (L), Simonian (6) and Johnson
Hogg (W), Longmore (6) and Tollefson
(June 14) The Swift Current Indians started a three-game weekend road trip off on the wrong foot as they dropped an 11 to 6 decision to the Yorkton Cardinals. Rollie Wilcox and Don Laube each socked two-run homers to lead the Cardinals attack. Brian Keegan clouted a pair of homers for the Indians.
Sharpe (L), Kammerer (6) and Nybo
Fyfe, Pipes (4) (W) and Seida
(June 15) Invading Melville for an afternoon encounter with the Millionaires, the Swift Current Indians were trounced 9 to 0 by the homesters at McLeod Park. Ross Stone pitched a three-hit whitewashing for the convincing win. Starter Jim Henderson was saddled with the loss. Don Gelowitz led the Millionaires offensively with a double and two singles. Terry Buck, Stone and Brian Hicke each had a pair of singles.
Henderson (L), Keegan (4) and Nybo
Stone (W) and Johnson, Exner (9)
(June 15) The red-hot Ralph Pipes made the Swift Current Indians trip to the eastern part of the Southern League a total disaster as he threw a one-hitter and led the Yorkton Cardinals to 2 to 0 shutout over the Speedy Creek visitors, handing the Tribe their third loss in two days. Pipes struck out eight in winning his second game over the Indians in their two-game series. Singles by Bill Sobkow, Gary Brunetti and Arnold Seida, together with a Swift Current error, produced two runs for the Cards in the sixth inning and that was all Pipes needed.
Wall (L), Sharpe (6), Wall (7) and Nybo
Pipes (W) and Seida
Southern League standings (as of end of June 15)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 7 1 0 14
Melville Millionaires 3 1 1 7
Regina Red Sox 2 4 1 5
Yorkton Cardinals 2 3 0 4
Swift Current Indians 1 6 0 2
(June 17) The Regina Red Sox rode the five-hit pitching of Doug Homme and went on to drub the front-running Moose Jaw Regals 9 to 0 at Ross Wells Park. Homme not only tamed the potent Regal bats but also came up with a fine display of his own at the plate as he hit a pair of singles while driving in two runs. The Regals managed to get only two runners past first base. The Red Sox collected a total of 12 hits off loser Wayne LeBere and reliever Gary Bock. Larry Bachiu led the hit parade for the Sox with two doubles. Stu Willison followed with a double and single while Jim Paisley and Homme both singled twice.
Homme (W) and Logan
LeBere (L), Bock (6) and Tollefson
(June 19) The Moose Jaw Regals returned to their winning ways as they pounced on the Swift Current Indians for a 6 to 1 victory at Mitchell Field. The Regals struck for five runs in the fifth inning and it was all Lloyd Waterer, a rookie making his first start of the season, needed to beat the punchless Indians, despite giving up 12 walks. The Tribe batters simply didn't deliver when opportunity knocked as they left a total of 13 base runners stranded. Waterer limited Swift Current to five hits and fanned the same number. Loser Tom Sharpe was lit up for nine Moose Jaw hits. Jim Booth hit a double and single for the Regals while Lloyd Hackel had a brace of singles. Shortstop Brian Dickie of the Indians singled twice.
Waterer (W) and Tollefson
Sharpe (L) and Mackey
(June 21) Ross Stone gave up 12 hits but still managed to win his third game of the season as the Melville Millionaires routed the Swift Current Indians 9 to 5 as the hitters dominated at Mitchell Field in the first game of a weekend twin-bill. Veteran Jackie McLeod started for the Indians but was driven to the showers in the second frame as the Moneymen began to build up a substantial lead. Gord Johnson and Terry Buck collected three singles apiece for Melville while Ken Sutherland, Don Gelowitz and Bev Hickie added two one-baggers each. Cliff Mein led the Indians with three singles and a double while Bobby Martin added a brace of singles.
Stone (W) and Johnson
McLeod (L), Wall (2) and Mackey
(June 21) The Moose Jaw Regals posted an 8 to 5 triumph over the visiting Yorkton Cardinals in the opener of their weekend series. Rookie Gary Bock pitched a seven-hitter to get credit for his fourth win of the season, besting import Gary Brunetti. Lloyd Hackel and Larry Tollefson hit two singles each for the Regals. Andy Boleziuk led Yorkton's attack at the plate with a triple and single.
Brunetti (L) and Seida
Bock (W) and Tollefson
(June 22) The Swift Current Indians bounced back to win the finale of their weekend set with the Melville Millionaires when they dumped the Moneymen 9 to 4. Import left-hander Jim Henderson, with relief help from Tom Sharpe, was credited with the mound win. Brian Dickie, Harvey Nybo and Bob Martin collected two hits each to lead the Indians' nine-hit attack with one of Martin's blows going for two bases. Bev Hickie smacked two singles and a double for the Millionaires while Don Gelowitz had a double and one-bagger. Playing-manager Gord Johnson supplied the power punch by cracking a two-run homer.
Simonian (L) and Johnson
Henderson (W), Sharpe (7) and Mackey, Nybo (2)
(June 22) Scoring three times in the top of the tenth inning, the Yorkton Cardinals evened their weekend set-to with the Moose Jaw Regals at one game apiece as they dropped the league-leaders 8 to 5 at Ross Wells Park. The Regals committed six errors, five in the fateful tenth, to hand the two points to the visitors. Ralph Pipes, who came on in relief of Bill Sobkow, got credit for the victory, Don Laube of the Cardinals and Moose Jaw's Jim Booth both had a double and single for their respective clubs.
B. Sobkow, Pipes (8) (W) and Seida
LeBere, Rowley (9) (L) and Tollefson
(June 25) Early Southern League statistics released today, which are incomplete because of some yet-to-be-received data, especially out of Yorkton, show that Moose Jaw's Ned Andreoni is the dominant offensive force in the circuit thus far this campaign. The Regals' infielder has amassed 14 hits in 28 times at bat for a superb .500 average. Andreoni also leads in hits with 14, runs batted in with 8 and is tied for the most home runs with two. A pair of players from the Melville Millionaires, Bev Hickie and Terry Buck, are running second and third behind Andreoni in the batting race. Hickie has 9 hits in 21 tries for a .429 mark while Buck has accumulated 8 hits in 19 at bats for a .421 average. Another member of the Moneymen, Ross Stone, has the early lead in pitching statistics, heading the Southern League with three wins and 40 strikeouts.
(July 2) The Moose Jaw Regals struck early at Mount Pleasant Park and the Regina Red Sox never did fully recover as the Regals took a 6 to 3 Southern League contest. Moose Jaw pushed across two runs in the first inning and then preserved Dale Hogg's fourth win in a game that was called after eight innings because of darkness. Doug Simon, making his first mound appearance of the season for Regina, was charged with the loss. Regals' shortstop Ned Andreoni picked up two hits in the game to pad his lead in the Southern League's batting race. Third baseman Jim Booth came up with three RBI's for the winners on the basis of a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.
Hogg (W), Rowley (7) and Tollefson
Simon (L), Fellner, Yellowega and Logan
Southern League standings (as of the end of July 2)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 10 3 0 20
Melville Millionaires 4 2 1 9
Regina Red Sox 3 5 1 7
Yorkton Cardinals 3 4 0 6
Swift Current Indians 2 8 0 4
(July 6) Melville Millionaires shaded Swift Current 2-1 as winning pitcher Terry Buck knocked in the deciding run with a single. Rain forced postponement of a scheduled second game. Buck gained the win in relief of starter Russell Lulashnyk, a 17-year-old rookie, making his first start for the Millionaires. The pair combined on a four-hitter. Tom Sharpe took the loss. He allowed just five hits. Indians took the lead in the second on Jim Henderson"s run-scoring double. Melville pulled even in the 4th as Ernie Cherkowsky's single drove in the tying marker.
Sharpe (L) and xxx
Lulashnyk, Buck (W) (5) and xxx
(July 8) The Yorkton Cardinals struck for two runs in the first inning and it was enough to vault them past the Regina Red Sox into third place in the Southern League. When the final out was recorded, the Cardinals had posted a 3 to 1 decision at Mount Pleasant Park. Gary Brunetti had little trouble from the lack-lustre Sox after receiving the two-run cushion in the first as he faced a total of 29 batters, two over the minimum. He finished up with a four-hitter and an equal number of strikeouts. No player on either team had more than one hit in this contest.
Brunetti (W) and Seida
Fellner (L), Yellowega (9) and Logan
(July 9) A bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the tenth inning forced in the winner and gave the Melville Millionaires a 2 to 1 Southern League victory over the Regina Red Sox at Pirie Field. Bev Hickie who had led off the extra inning with his second single of the game, was forced home with the tie-breaking run when Ernie Cherkowsky was walked by losing pitcher Dave Seeley. Rookie right-hander Gord Duff went the full ten innings to get the mound win for the Millionaires. Duff allowed only six hits, three of them by Regina third baseman Jerry Zrymiak. Playing-manager Gord Johnson and Ken Sutherland collected two singles each for the Moneymen.
Mahaffey, Seeley (6) (L) and Logan, Bachiu (4)
Duff (W) and Johnson
(July 10) First baseman Gene Yellowega's single in the seventh inning drove in Doug Homme and lifted the Regina Red Sox to a 3 to 2 win over the Yorkton Cardinals in a Southern League contest in Yorkton. Yellowega replaced Jack Buch in the fifth after Buch had been in a collision at the bag and had to have stitches to close a cut above his right eye. Homme, who posted his third win of the season, struck out ten Yorkton batters.
Homme (W) and Bachiu
Brunetti (L) and Seida
(July 12) The Swift Current Indians edged the Yorkton Cardinals 5 to 4 in eleven innings to begin a two-game weekend series with the visitors. Winning pitcher Les Wall's single drove in Brian Dickie for the Indians' winning run in the bottom of the second extra frame. Ron Fyfe went the distance on the hill for the Redbirds and was hit with the loss.
Fyfe (L) and Seida
Wall (W) and Mackey
(July 13) The Moose Jaw Regals, led by Larry Tollefson's three-run homer and a pair of doubles by Roy Rowley, rallied in the seventh inning and downed the Regina Red Sox 9 to 5. Rookie Lloyd Waterer won his second game, this one as a reliever. As well as Tollefson and Rowley, Moose Jaw shortstop Ned Andreoni continued his torrid production from the batters' box, slamming a home run and double. Jack Buch and Rich Gergley led the Red Sox with two singles each.
Longmore, Waterer (4) (W) and Tollefson
Sawa (L) and Logan
(July 13) Scoring seven runs in their first two turns at bat, the Swift Current Indians went on to post an 11 to 7 win over the Yorkton Cardinals, their second triumph against the Moneymen in two days. Harvey Nybo of the Tribe and Bruce Carson of the Redbirds both hit three-run homers in this heavy-hitting affair in which Mel Kammerer got the nod over Lorne Wionzek in the battle of the hurlers.
Wionzek (L) and Seida
Kammerer (W) and Mackey
(July 15) The Regina Red Sox, struggling to hold onto third place in the Southern League, trounced the Melville Millionaires 11 to 3 in Melville. The Red Sox combined a 14-hit attack with eight Melville errors to post their first win over the Millionaires this season. Gary Korven gained credit for the victory in relief, entering the game in the second frame. Melville starter Wayne Thompson was the loser. First baseman Jack Buch led Regina's offense with three singles. Korven helped his own cause with a double and single while Andy Logan, Jim Paisley and Rich Gergley each hit a pair of singles. Ken Sutherland singled twice for the Moneymen.
Gergley, Korven (2) (W) and Logan
Thompson (L), Duff (6) and Johnson, Exner
(July 16) The Swift Current Indians and Regina Red Sox locked horns in a 3 - 3 stalemate at Mount Pleasant Park. The playing of extra innings was not an option due to darkness. With one out in the ninth and the bases loaded, the Red Sox infield elected to go for a double play on Harvey Nybo's ground ball rather than cutting off the run at the plate. The move was unsuccessful as Nybo beat the relay throw to first while the tying run scored. Bob Bjornson had a pair of singles as well as a double to emerge as the top swinger for the Tribe. Doug Simon, who worked 8 1/3 innings on the mound for the Red Sox, picked up a run-scoring single plus a two-bagger while his battery mate, Andy Logan, punched out two singles..
Wall, Willis (9) and Mackey
Simon, Homme (9) and Logan
(July 16) The Yorkton Cardinals edged the Melville Millionaires 5 to 4 at Pirie Field as the race for the second through to five positions in the Southern League tightened. The Cards scored two runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead for the first time in the game and then survived a bases-loaded situation in the last of the ninth to grab the victory. Import Gary Brunetti, a Fresno State Bulldog, struck out ten and went the distance to gain the win for Yorkton. Len Cargill made his mound debut for the Moneymen and was tagged with the loss. Andy Boleziuk and Don Laube each collected three singles for the Redbirds while catcher Dwight Fansher added a pair of one-baggers. Bev Hickie, Ken Sutherland and Gord Johnson responded with a brace of singles each for the Millionaires.
Brunetti (W) and Fansher
Cargill (L), Buck (9) and Johnson
(July 17) The Yorkton Cardinals moved into a third place tie with the Regina Red Sox in the Southern League by beating the Melville Millionaires 4 to 2 at Jubilee Park. Merv Danbrook, making his first start in league play for the Cardinals, went the distance for the mound win. The big right-hander scattered seven hits while fanning eight. Terry Buck of the Millionaires also went the full nine innings, allowing five hits, and was hit with the loss. Three critical errors by his defense, however, did him in. With the score tied 2 - 2, the Cards scored what proved to be the winning run in the sixth when Yorkton catcher Dwight Fansher walked, moved to second on a passed ball and was able to scamper home after reaching third on Zeke Markowsky's single when the ball got by the left fielder. Francher then drove in Don Laube, who had singled, with an insurance run in the eighth. Bob McLean of the Redbirds and Ed Stefureak of the Moneymen both singled twice.
Buck (L) and Johnson
Danbrook (W) and Fansher
Southern League standings (as of end of July 17)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 11 3 0 22
Melville Millionaires 6 5 1 13
Yorkton Cardinals 6 5 0 12
Regina Red Sox 5 7 2 12
Swift Current Indians 4 9 1 9
(July 19) Dale Hogg ran his season's record on the hill to 5 - 0 when the Moose Jaw Regals dumped the Melville Millionaires 9 to 4 at Ross Wells Park. Although this was far from being one of his better mound outings, Hogg was tough in the clutches as Melville was able to light him up for 12 hits but left an equal number of base runners stranded. Melville starter Gord Duff was the loser. Roy Rowley led the Regals' eight-hit attack with a double, two singles and 3 RBI's. Hogg's battery mate, Larry Tollefson, slugged a solo homer in the second. Ed Stefureak collected three singles for the Moneymen while Terry Buck, Wayne Thompson and Ken Sutherland added a pair of one-baggers each.
Duff (L), Thompson and Cherkowsky
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
(July 19) Import right-hander Jim Willis made his initial start for the Swift Current Indians, a brilliant three-hit performance, as the Tribe got by the Yorkton Cardinals 4 to 2. Cliff Mein hit a homer plus a single to drive in half of the Indians' runs while Brian Keegan picked up a pair of singles off loser Gary Brunetti.
Brunetti (L) and Fansher
Willis (W) and Mackey
(July 20) The Moose Jaw Regals won their fourteenth game of the Southern League campaign by blanking the Yorkton Cardinals 2 to 0 in a game that went into the books as a five inning affair because of rain. The Regals plated two runs in their last turn at bat and then the Cards duplicated the feat in the top of the sixth but, once rain made further play impossible, the score reverted back to the end of the fifth. Gary Bock scattered five hits get his fifth win. Ron Fyfe was charged with the loss. Barrie Day had a double and single for Moose Jaw and drove in the winning run.
Fyfe (L) and Fansher
Bock (W) and Tollefson
(July 20) The Swift Current Indians extended their unbeaten string to five games when they trounced the Melville Millionaires 12 to 1 at Mitchell Field. Veteran left-hander Les Wall unfurled a five-hitter for the Indians as they ran rough-shod over the Moneymen, collecting 12 hits as well as swiping six bases. Wayne Commodore belted the game's only homer, a mammoth 450 foot blast. Len Cargill was the loser as the Millionaires tasted defeat for the fifth straight game.
Cargill (L), Buck (1), Thompson (7) and Johnson, Exner (6)
Wall (W), Kammerer (9) and Mackey
(July 22) The visiting Melville Millionaires held off a sustained drive by the Regina Red Sox to hold the homesters to a 6 - 6 tie, the second time this season that these two clubs have been deadlocked at Mount Pleasant Park. Trailing 6 to 3 after six frames were in the books, the Reginans tallied single counters in each of the last three innings to get the draw. Don Gelowitz, normally an infielder, did the chucking for the Cards while Randy Sawa and Gary Korven toed the rubber for the Red Stockings who out-hit their guests from Yorkton 11 to 9. Gene Yellowega had a solo dinger for the Sox while Jim Paisley snapped a prolonged hitless string with two doubles and a single. Ralph Willison was the big noise for the Moneymen, going four for five, all singles. Terry Buck chipped in with a brace of one-baggers.
Gelowitz and Johnson
Sawa, Korven (6) and Logan
(July 23) Rollie Wilcox crashed a two-out solo home run in the eighth inning to give the Yorkton Cardinals an 11 to 10 win over the Regina Red Sox. The win lifted Yorkton into a second-place tie with the Melville Millionaires in the Southern League standings. Zeke Markowsky, who relieved in the sixth and again in the eighth, gained credit for the win. Gary Brunetti was the main cog in the Cards' offense as he slammed a two-run homer in the second and added a three-run circuit-clout in the sixth. Brunetti also had a single. Don Laube tied the game for the Redbirds in the seventh with a bases-empty dinger. Doug Simon socked a two-run homer in the seventh and added a single to lead the Red Sox' attack. Jim Paisley, Jack Buch and Brian Dimen each collected a double and single for the Reginans.
Homme (L) and Dimen
Fyfe, Markowsky (6), B. Sobkow (8), Markowsky (8) (W) and Fansher
(July 24) Jerry Zrymiak's run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth scored Jim Paisley and gave the Regina Red Sox a hard-fought 2 to 1 victory over the Swift Current Indians in a well-played, errorless game at Mount Pleasant Park. Rookie right-hander Bob Fellner was coasting along with a 1 to 0 lead until the top of the ninth when Cliff Mein of the Tribe smashed a lead-off homer to tie things up. Import right-hander Jim Willis went the distance for the Indians and allowed eight hits including a pair of doubles by Doug Simon.
Willis (L) and Mackey
Fellner (W) and Dimen
(July 24) The Melville Millionaires took over second spot in the Southern League when they trounced the Yorkton Cardinals 18 to 8 at Yorkton. The Moneymen hammered three Yorkton hurlers for 15 hits. Ernie Cherkowsky led the barrage with two doubles, a single and four RBI's. Don Gelowitz collected a double and two singles while Terry Buck smacked a double and single. Playing-manager Gord Johnson had a two-run homer. Bill Sobkow was almost a one-man show for the Cardinals, smashing a pair of homers plus a double to collect four RBI's. Losing hurler Merv Danbrook rapped a pair of singles off complete-game winner Terry Buck.
Buck (W) and Johnson
Danbrook (L), B. Sobkow (4), Markowsky (5) and Fansher
(July 25) Ned Andreoni of the Moose Jaw Regals continues to dominate the Southern League batting statistics. The latest figures published in today's issue of the Regina Leader-Post show Andreoni leading the batting race with a cool .419 average, 32 percentage points ahead of his nearest rival, Bev Hickie of the Melville Millionaires. Andreoni also leads in runs batted in with 19 and home runs with five. The hard-hitting shortstop also has accumulated the most hits with 26.
A veteran and a rookie share the lead in the pitching department, each with a 5 - 0 won-lost record. Dale Hogg and Gary Bock, both of the Moose Jaw Regals, have yet to be beaten during league play. Randy Sawa of the Regina Red Sox has struck out the most batters with 37.
(July 27) The Melville Millionaires strengthened their grip on second place in the Southern League as a result of their 12 to 6 pasting of the Yorkton Cardinals at Pirie Field. The Moneymen scored all twelve of their runs in the first three innings and, despite their lop-sided win, only had five hits. Terry Buck fanned eight in picking up the win. Andy Boleziuk had two singles and a double off the slants of Buck while Nelson Bryksa and Zeke Markowsky had two doubles each.
Brunetti (L), Wionzek (4) and Fansher
Buck (W) and Cherkowsky
(July 27) The Swift Current Indians turned on the league-leading Moose Jaw Regals for a 7 to 3 victory at Mitchell Field. Wayne Commodore, Bob Martin and Cliff Mein led a nine-hit Indians' attack with a home run each. Brian Keegan added a double and single to the Swift Current offense that sent rookie right-hander Gary Bock down to his first mound defeat of the season. Les Wall scattered eight hits in going the distance for his third win. Jim Booth led Moose Jaw at the dish with a double and two singles while playing-manager Lorne Humphreys singled twice.
Bock (L), Longmore (3), Andreoni (7) and Tollefson
Wall (W) and Mackey
(July 28) The Moose Jaw Regals broke open a close game by scoring eight runs in the sixth inning en route to a 12 to 0 thrashing of the Swift Current Indians. Dale Hogg maintained his unbeaten record by twirling a two-hitter. Lloyd Waterer pitched the last two innings for Moose Jaw and gave up one hit. Ned Andreoni paced the Regals at the plate with two doubles and a single. Roy Rowley and Tim Young each collected three singles. Hogg and Jim Booth both singled twice.
Willis (L), Kammerer (6) and Mackey
Hogg (W), Waterer (8) and Tollefson
(July 29) The Regina Red Sox opened a frantic four-day push toward catching a Southern League playoff berth when they earned a hard-fought 4 to 2 victory over the Swift Current Indians. The Red Sox jumped on Swift Current starter Jackie McLeod for four straight singles and two runs in the first inning and it appeared that "Old Shakey" was about to make a quick exit. However, the veteran left-hander was still on the hill until part-way through the eighth when the Red Sox pushed home two more runs. Bob Fellner, with relief help from Gary Korven, got the win. Al Herback with a triple and single and Andy Logan with a brace of singles topped the Regina hitters.
McLeod (L), Wall (8) and Mackey, Nybo (4)
Fellner (W), Korven (7) and Logan
(July 29) The Yorkton Cardinals jumped back into the Southern League playoff scramble with an error-filled 6 to 4 victory over the Melville Millionaires. A total of nine miscues, six by the Millionaires, marred an otherwise close contest. Winner Gary Brunetti and loser Ed Stefureak, making his first pitching start for the Moneymen, both went the distance. Rollie Wilcox and Don Laube both had two singles to pace Yorkton at the plate. Tim Twardochleb led Melville's nine-hit offense with three singles while playing-manager Gord Johnson ripped a brace of one-baggers.
Brunetti (W) and Seida
Stefureak (L) and Cherkowsky, Johnson (6)
(July 29) Three members of the Moose Jaw Regals were selected as first-team all-stars in the results printed in today's edition of the Regina Leader-Post, those being shortstop Ned Andreoni, second baseman Roy Rowley and right-handed pitcher Dale Hogg. From the second-place Melville Millionaires, Gord Johnson was selected as manager as well as the catcher. Joining him were teammates Don Gelowitz at third base and outfielder Bev Hickie. Rounding out the first-team selections were outfielders Don Laube of the Yorkton Cardinals and Wayne Commodore of the Swift Current Indians as well as two members of the Regina Red Sox, first baseman Jack Buch and left-handed pitcher Doug Homme.
The Regals and Indians each placed three members on the second-team. Catcher Larry Tollefson, right-handed chucker Gary Bock and outfielder Barry Day were the Moose Jaw selections with first baseman Cliff Mein, outfielder Brian Keegan and left-handed hurler Les Wall representing Swift Current. The Regina Red Sox placed four members on the alternate squad including manager Lionel Ruhr. Larry Bachiu at second base, Jerry Zrymiak at third base and Gene Yellowega in the outfield were the other Regina selections.
(July 30) The Regina Red Sox turned their best hitting display of the season into an 8 to 4 victory over the Melville Millionaires and, at the same time, vaulted past the boys from the Rail Town into second place in the Southern League. The Sox blasted a total of 15 hits, including three doubles, off Melville's ace left-hander Terry Buck. The Millionaires treated winner Doug Homme in much the same fashion, collecting 11 hits including a double by Brian Hicke. Gene Yellowega was the top Reginan at the plate with a double and two singles. Andy Logan collected a double and single while Al Herback, Doug Simon, Danny Fink and Jim Paisley all came through with a brace of one-baggers. Veteran Ed Stefureak had three singles to lead the Moneymen while Bev Hickie and Buck singled twice each.
Buck (L) and Johnson
Homme (W) and Logan
(August 1) A three-run circuit clout by Andy Logan and another clutch relief performance by Gary Korven carried the Regina Red Sox to a 5 to 2 Southern League victory over the Moose Jaw Regals. The loss was not only the fifth of the season for the Regals but also the first for Dale Hogg who had run up a string of six straight victories. The Sox out-hit the Mill City crew 8 to 5.
Hogg (L) and Tollefson
Simon (W), Korven (6) and Bachiu, Logan (3)
Southern League standings (as of end of August 1)
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 15 5 0 30
Regina Red Sox 10 9 3 23
Melville Millionaires 8 9 2 18
Yorkton Cardinals 8 12 0 16
Swift Current Indians 7 13 1 15
(August 2 ) The Yorkton Cardinals nipped the Moose Jaw Regals 4 to 3 at Jubilee Park to stay in the hunt for a Southern league playoff spot. The Cards were ahead all the way in this one after grabbing a 2 - 0 first inning advantage. Bill Sobkow's fifth inning home run turned out to be the winning marker. Gary Brunetti didn't allow a Moose Jaw hit for five innings and went all the way for the win.
Brunetti (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
(August 2) The cellar-dwelling Swift Current Indians surprised the Regina Red Sox by up-ending them 11 to 3 at Mitchell Field. The Tribe scored enough runs in the second frame, five in total, to win the game. Included in the splurge was a two-run homer by outfielder Wayne Commodore. Bob Bjornson and Bob Martin each hit a pair of singles for the Indians in support of winning pitcher Les Wall.
Fellner (L), Sawa (3), Korven (5) and xxx
Wall (W), Willis (9) and xxx
(August 3) Second baseman Wayne Thompson collected three singles and drove in all five runs as the Melville Millionaires downed the Moose Jaw Regals 5 to 1 in the matinee of a two-game event. Right-hander Gord Duff worked seven innings on the hill for the Moneymen, surrendering five hits before Terry Buck took over in relief. Lloyd Waterer took the loss for Moose Jaw in going the distance. Ned Andreoni singled twice for the Regals and drove in their lone run.
Waterer (L) and xxx
Duff (W), Buck (8) and Johnson
(August 3) The Melville Millionaires completed a sweep of their Southern League double-bill with the Moose Jaw Regals when they defeated the visitors 5 to 2 in the Rail Town. Ed Stefureak's three-run homer in the eighth broke a 2 - 2 tie and made a winner out of Terry Buck. The Melville hurler also singled twice off loser Roy Rowley. The loss was the third of the weekend for the league-leaders. With the double win, the Moneymen clinched a playoff berth.
Rowley (L) and xxx
Buck (W) and Johnson
(August 6) The Moose Jaw Regals appear to be heading in the wrong direction just as the Southern League playoffs are near. The Regals, who clinched first place in the circuit with ease, have tail-spinned into five straight losses, the latest a 9 to 4 jarring at the hands of the Melville Millionaires at Ross Wells Park. The Moneymen took a 2 to 0 lead in the second inning and added three more in the third on Ed Stefureak's solo moon shot over the centre field fence plus a two-run shot by Don Gelowitz. Ned Andreoni brought the Regals back into contention with a three-run circuit clout in the fifth but they were never able to catch up with the Millionaires. Stefureak was the game's most proficient hitter, slamming a double and a brace of singles to go along with his gargantuan dinger. Andreoni added a single to his home run while Tim Young singled twice. Wayne Thompson tossed an eight hitter to record the win.
Thompson (W) and Johnson
Longmore (L), Hogg (3) and Gillies, Tollefson (6)
(August 6) The Regina Red Sox blanked the Yorkton Cardinals 4 to 0 at Mount Pleasant Park.
No game details or batteries were printed.
xxx (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(August 7) The Melville Millionaires trounced the Yorkton Cardinals 9 to 2 at Jubilee Park to clinch second place in the Southern League. The Millionaires spotted the Cardinals a 2 - 0 lead in the second inning but forged ahead 3 to 2 after the fifth then added four more in the seventh to put the game on ice. Import left-hander Terry Buck tossed a four-hitter for the win over Gary Brunetti. Buck and Don Gelowitz both hit a double and single for the winners while Ernie Cherkowsky singled twice.
Buck (W) and Johnson
Brunetti (L), Wionzek (7), Fyfe (7) and Seida
(August 8) Three individual Southern League player awards were announced in the Regina Leader-Post of this date. Veteran right-handed pitcher Dale Hogg of the Moose Jaw Regals was named the 1969 winner of the Heinie Rogers memorial trophy as the most valuable player in the circuit. Andy Logan of the Regina Red Sox was voted as the top catcher in the five-team circuit and will receive the Gus Riddler memorial trophy in recognition of such. The third trophy up for grabs, the Father Athol Murray trophy, was won by Gary Bock, a pitcher with the Moose Jaw Regals.
(August 8) Randy Sawa hurled a brilliant two-hitter as the Regina Red Sox blanked the Yorkton Cardinals 4 to 0 in their last regularly scheduled Southern League game of the season. The win leaves the Sox with 25 points, good for a third place finish in the circuit. The Cardinals have one game remaining in the schedule, an important one indeed in that they play the Swift Current Indians who are only a point behind them in the battle for the last playoff spot. Sawa started out as if he had left his control in the clubhouse and got himself into some difficulty in both the first and second frames with bases on balls. From the second inning on, however, Yorkton never got a runner past first base as Sawa fanned nine. The Redlegs got to loser Zeke Markowsky for nine hits with Doug Simon's brace of singles heading the list of Regina swatting accomplishments.
Markowsky (L) and Seida
Sawa (W) and Logan
(August 10) The Swift Current Indians moved into fourth place in the Southern League, a point in front of the Yorkton Cardinals, when they struck for 19 hits off four Melville hurlers to bury the Millionaires 16 to 8 in the Rail Town. It was the first of two games scheduled for the Tribe as once this game was in the books, they packed their bats away and headed for Yorkton for the last game of the schedule, one which would decide fourth place and a berth in the Southern League playoffs. Jim Willis led the Swift Current hit parade with double and three singles. Gary Anderson added three singles and Mel Kammerer, the Tribe's starting pitcher, collected a double and two one-baggers. Four home runs were hit in this contest, three by the Indians. Bob Martin slugged one circuit clout to go along with a two-bagger while Wayne Commodore connected for another to complement his single. Bob Bjornson completed the trio of Swift Current sluggers with a solo shot. Melville's Gord Johnson drilled his fourth dinger of the season in a losing cause.
Kammerer, Nybo (3) (W) and Martin
Duff (L), Twardochleb (4), Willison (6), Gelowitz (6) and Johnson
(August 10) The Swift Current Indians took control of things early, scoring ten runs before the Redbirds responded with a single tally, as the Tribe went on to demolish the Yorkton Cardinals 12 to 4 to sew up fourth place in the Southern League and a semi-final date with the Moose Jaw Regals. Wayne Commodore of the Indians unloaded for his second and third four-baggers of the day, doubling his season's output to six. Veteran left-hander Les Wall scattered six hits in going the route for the mound win, his fifth of the campaign. Playing-manager Harvey Nybo of the Indians fattened his batting average with four singles and a double in five trips to the platter. Don Laube was the only Cardinal to connect for two hits, lacing a brace of singles.
Wall (W) and Nybo
Brunetti (L), Fyfe (3), Markowsky (3) and Seida
Southern League Final standings
W L T Pts.
Moose Jaw Regals 15 9 0 30
Melville Millionaires 12 10 2 26
Regina Red Sox 11 10 3 25
Swift Current Indians 10 13 1 21
Yorkton Cardinals 9 15 0 18
SEMI - FINAL PLAYOFF SERIES
(August 12) The Moose Jaw Regals scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to salvage a 5 - 5 draw with the Swift Current Indians in the opening game of their Southern League semi-final series. The game was halted after eight innings because of darkness. A walk, two singles, an error and a wild pitch produced the Regals' tying runs. Two-run homers by Larry Tollefson of the Regals and Wayne Commodore of the Indians in the fourth and fifth, respectively, gave the game a see-saw effect. The Indians took what appeared to be a commanding 5 to 2 lead in the top of the eighth on a bases-loaded single by rookie Don McLeod and a throwing error. The Tribe out-hit their hosts 6 to 5.
Willis and Mackey
Bock and Tollefson
(August 13) Pitcher Doug Homme's fourth-inning single drove in Jerry Zrymiak with what turned out to be the winning run as the Regina Red Sox took a one-game lead in the best-of-five Southern League semi-finals with a 5 to 2 victory over the Melville Millionaires. Homme, who struck out five, gave up ten hits but, with solid defensive backing, was able to keep the Millionaires off balance. The Moneymen stranded 15 base runners. Loser Terry Buck gave up eight hits while fanning seven. Al Herback led the Sox from the batters' box with three hits, a run-scoring double and two singles. Homme pitched in with a brace of singles. For Melville, Don Gelowitz picked up a double and single while Buck and Wayne Thompson both singled twice.
Homme (W) and Logan
Buck (L) and Johnson
(August 14) The Moose Jaw Regals returned to mid-season hitting form at Mitchell Field as they swamped the home-standing Swift Current Indians 9 to 1 to take a 1 - 0 lead in their best-of-five playoff series. While the Regals were pounding out 14 hits, Roy Rowley was doing an excellent job of cooling off the recently hot Swift Current bats. Rowley gave up a mere three hits while whiffing nine. Les Wall went the distance for the Speedy Creekers but seven errors behind the veteran left-hander did little to keep the game close. Ned Andreoni led the Moose Jaw hitting attack with three singles and a double. One of the bright spots for the Regals in this contest was the performance of 15 year old Clark Gillies who handled first base chores capably and smashed a run-scoring triple plus a single.
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
Wall (L) and xxx
(August 16) Randy Sawa handcuffed the Melville Millionaires with a four-hitter as the Regina Red Sox chalked up a 7 to 1 victory over the Moneymen at Mount Pleasant Park to take a two-game lead in the semi-final playoff series. Sawa set ten Melville batters down on strikes in earning the complete game win over Millionaires' starter Wayne Thompson. Ed Stefureak spoiled Sawa's bid for a shutout when he led off the ninth with a single and scored when Regina catcher Andy Logan overthrew second base on a pick off attempt.
Thompson (L), Gelowitz (2), Thompson (3) and Johnson
Sawa (W) and Logan
(August 16) Import right-hander Jim Willis tossed a five-hitter as the Swift Current Indians invaded Ross Wells Park and throttled the Moose Jaw Regals 8 to 1 to knot their best-of-five playoff series at one game each. Dale Hogg, the top hurler in the Southern League during the regular season, was plagued with control problems and was finally driven to the showers in the fifth. Willis was also strong with the hickory, slamming a double and single in support of his mound work.
Willis (W) and Nybo
Hogg (L), Waterer (5) and Tollefson
(August 17) The Melville Millionaires staved off elimination as left-hander Terry Buck kept the Moneymen in the series with a six-hit, 9 to 5 win over the Regina Red Sox in Melville. Buck also starred at the plate as he drove in five runs with a single and two-run homer. One of the half dozen hits surrendered by Buck was a three-run homer by Larry Bachiu. Rookie right-hander Bob Fellner was touched for eleven hits in taking the loss.
Fellner (L) and Logan
Buck (W) and Johnson
(August 17) The Swift Current Indians, who just made it into the Southern League playoffs on the final day of the regular season, served notice that they have lots left for an encore. The Indians moved within one game of upsetting the highly regarded Moose Jaw Regals by dumping the pennant-winners for the second time in two days, this time by a 10 to 6 count. The Tribe scored six times in the bottom of the seventh the salt away the triumph. Les Wall, who went all the way on the hill for the win, had the game-winning hit, a bases-loaded triple that plated the tie-breaker plus a pair of insurance runs. Wayne Commodore had hit a two-run homer for Swift Current earlier in the game.
Bock, Waterer (3), Andreoni (7) (L), Waterer (8) and Tollefson
Wall (W) and Nybo
(August 19) Pitcher Don Gelowitz' two-run homer in the eighth brought the Melville Millionaires back from the brink of defeat and earned them a 5 - 5 tie with the Regina Red Sox at Mount Pleasant Park. Another two-run circuit blast by Melville playing-manager Gord Johnson had earlier tied the contest before the Scarlet Stockings had forged ahead again. The Reginans had a slight edge in base hits, 9 to 8. Bev Hickie and Terry Buck collected a pair of singles each to lead the Moneymen at the dish while Jerry Zrymiak was the only Red Sox player to lace out more than one hit, garnering two singles.
Gelowitz and Johnson
Sawa and Logan
(August 19) Roy Rowley continued to display his versatility for the Moose Jaw Regals as he guided the Southern League pennant-winners to a 5 to 2 victory over the Swift Current Indians at Ross Wells Park. The win for Moose Jaw tied the semi-final set at two games apiece. Rowley turned in a fine seven-hit pitching effort and also led the Regals at the platter with a double and three singles off losing chucker Jim Willis. Wayne Commodore continued his torrid hitting string, clouting his third homer of the series. Shortstop Brian Dickie also hit a solo dinger for the Tribe. Tim Young's seventh inning single drove in Jim Booth with the run that turned out to be the winner for Moose Jaw.
Willis (L) and Nybo, Mackey (7)
Rowley (W) and Tollefson
(August 20) The Melville Millionaires forced a sixth game in their semi-final battle with the Regina Red Sox by taking a 5 to 2 decision from the Crimson Hose in Melville. Import left-hander Terry Buck turned in another fine pitching performance for the Millionaires, hurling a five-hitter and striking out nine. The Moneymen backed Buck's pitching with a 13-hit attack off Regina rookie Bob Fellner. Buck and first baseman Brian Hicke each collected three singles for the winners with two of Hicke's one-baggers driving in a run each time. Outfielder Bev Hickie singled twice off Fellner. Larry Bachiu blasted a first-inning solo homer for the Red Stockings.
Fellner (L) and Logan
Buck (W) and Johnson
(August 20) The Moose Jaw Regals gained a berth in the Southern league final series when they bombed the Swift Current Indians 8 to 1 at Speedy Creek's Mitchell Field. The win gave the Regals the semi-final series three games to two with one game tied. It was the home run power of the Regals that finally sent the scrappy Indians to the sidelines. Ned Andreoni smashed a pair of circuit drives and Larry Tollefson had one as Moose Jaw lit up two Frontier City hurlers for 14 base hits. Veteran right-hander Dale Hogg pitched the complete game for the winners, fanning ten while giving up eight hits. Roy Rowley and Tim Young both laced a trio of one-baggers for Moose Jaw while Tollefson added a pair of singles to his homer.
Hogg (W) and Tollefson
Wall (L), Mein (9) and Nybo, Mackey (9)
(August 21) The Regina Red Sox advanced to the Southern League final against the Moose Jaw Regals when they defeated the Melville Millionaires 8 to 7 in an eight-inning encounter. Manager Lionel Ruhr drilled a pinch-hit single between short and third to score Andy Logan with the winning run after the Sox had tied the game in their last turn at bat when Logan tripled home Jim Paisley who had drawn a one-out walk off loser Wayne Thompson. Logan had also come through with a clutch single in the sixth to drive in a pair of Regina counters. Paisley, Logan and Rich Gergley had two hits each for the Sox. Ed Stefureak, Ernie Cherkowsky, Brian Hicke and Don Gelowitz all singled twice for the Millionaires.
Stefureak , Thompson (5) (L) and Johnson
Yellowega, Sawa (6) (W) and Logan
LEAGUE FINAL SERIES
(August 24) A bases-empty homer by Doug Simon in the eighth inning allowed the Regina Red Sox to tie the Moose Jaw Regals 2 - 2 in the opening match of the 1969 Southern League final series. Veteran left-hander Doug Homme was a standout on the mound for the Red Sox in the game which was called after ten innings because of darkness. Homme struck out 15 Moose Jaw batters while giving up nine hits. Roy Rowley scattered seven hits and fanned seven in going the distance for the Regals. Jim Booth drove in both Moose Jaw runs with a first-inning single and a double in the sixth. Clutch pitching by Homme in the ninth and tenth innings cut off what appeared to be winning rallies by the Regals. Homme also drove in Regina's first run with a seventh-inning single.
Homme and Logan
Rowley and Gillies
(August 25) A successful squeeze bunt with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Regina Red Sox a 1 to 0 victory over the Moose Jaw Regals and a one game lead in their Southern League semi-final series. Jim Paisley's well-placed bunt, down the first base line, scored pinch runner Doug Homme and settled a pitching duel between Dale Hogg of the Regals and Regina's Randy Sawa. Hogg wound up with a two-hitter and nine strikeouts while Sawa gave up three singles, one a bunt, and sent 11 Regals down via the strikeout route.
Hogg (L) and Gillies
Sawa (W) and Logan
(August 26) The Regina Red Sox struck for 14 hits to pulverize the pennant-winning Moose Jaw Regals 11 to 3 at Ross Wells Park. The one-sided win gave the dark horse Crimson Hose nine a two games to none lead in the best-of-five final series. The Sox hammered three Moose Jaw hurlers for five doubles and a two-run homer by Jim Paisley. Rich Gergley led the parade of Regina thumpers with a double and two singles. Andy Logan had a double and single and Doug Simon a pair of singles. Jim Booth and Lorne Humphreys combined to collect four of Moose Jaw's six hits off winning chucker Bob Fellner with a double and single apiece.
Fellner (W) and Logan
Bock (L), LeBere (4), Andreoni (5) and Gillies
(August 27) Ned Andreoni became the first player in the history of the Southern League, dating back to its inception in 1931, to win the triple crown of batting which includes average, home runs and runs batted in. The Moose Jaw Regals' shortstop, a Fresno State Bulldogs' alumnus, Andreoni appeared in every game for the Regals this season and collected 38 base hits in 100 trips to the plate for a fine .380 average, 32 percentage points ahead of his nearest rival. Andreoni drove in 25 runs to lead in that department and completed the sweep of the triple crown by smashing six home runs. However, he is forced to share the circuit drive leadership with Wayne Commodore of the Swift Current Indians. Another member of the pennant-winning Regals, Jim Booth, finished in the runner-up spot in the batting derby with a .348 mark. Booth, who shared the lead in triples with Al Herback of the Regina Red Sox with two each, collected 31 hits in 89 at bats. Three members of the second-place Melville Millionaires round out the top five. Playing-manager Gord Johnson was third with a .347 average, Ed Stefureak fourth at .339 and Terry Buck fifth at .333. The Regals' Roy Rowley and Don Gelowitz of the Millionaires tied for the lead in doubles with seven each. Barrie Day of Moose Jaw scored the most runs, 26. Speedster Bev Hickie of Melville proved to be the top thief in the five-team league, stealing eleven bases.
Dale Hogg of the Moose Jaw Regals topped the pitching department in terms of wins and losses. The Mill City right-hander won six and lost one while fashioning a 3.18 earned run average. Southpaw Les Wall of the Swift Current Indians emerged with the best ERA, 2.13. Gary Brunetti of the Yorkton Cardinals led in strikeouts with 60, bases on balls with 52, innings pitched, 92, and in the number of defeats, eight.
(August 27) The Moose Jaw Regals refused to roll over and play dead because of the dire situation facing them and, instead, came out swinging, striking for four tallies in the sixth frame to down the Regina Red Sox 4 to 2 and narrow the Reginans lead in the final series to a two games to one margin. Moose Jaw's Roy Rowley struck out five and gave up four safeties in taming the Red Sox whose bats have been sizzling lately. The Regals, on the other hand, found Doug Homme in a give-away mood and touched the Regina left-hander six hits, three of them coming in the four-run sixth. Homme's biggest problem was hitting the strike zone at times when he needed to be precise. Rowley's two singles led all hitters on either team.
Rowley (W) and Gillies
Homme (L) and Logan
(August 29) The Regina Red Sox' tenure of playing the bridesmaid but never the bride came to an end at Ross Wells Park when the Red Stockings trounced the Moose Jaw Regals 10 to 3 to capture the 1969 Southern League championship and the Pop Harvey memorial trophy. The Reginans had reached the final in each of the previous three seasons but could never find the hitting power to propel them to their ultimate goal. Rich Gergley slammed a pair of two-run homers to produce the first four Regina runs, enough for the victory. Veteran Larry Bachiu applied the icing to the cake with a two-run circuit clout in the sixth. Gergley also added a double in his third trip to the plate. Left-hander Randy Sawa scattered 11 hits effectively and came up with 13 strikeouts to chalk up his fourth straight playoff victory. Dale Hogg started on the hill for the Regals and took the brunt of the Red Sox' shelling before finally being driven to the showers after Bachiu's sixth-inning blast. Two of five Regina errors in the contest resulted in the Regals' scoring of two runs in their half of the ninth but, by then, the game was out of reach. Ned Andreoni clicked for a double and two singles to come out as Moose Jaw's top hitter in the game while Roy Rowley collected three singles. Rowley was selected as the playoff MVP winner for the second straight year.
Sawa (W) and Logan
Hogg (L), Waterer (6) and Gillies