Milleteers split at Axemen tournament

The Milleteers limped into the Camrose Axemen tournament short handed and on a two game losing streak. Missing most of their starting infield and starting staff due to injuries and holidays, the Milleteers soldiered on and took a step up in competition as the tournament was stocked with mostly AA teams from various leagues. First up was the Edmonton Athletics from the NCABL. Starter Steven Pahl went the distance only giving up one earned run with four strikeouts and he also added about five broken bats to his firewood pile. The defense held tight despite having many guys playing out of position and the offense just barely did enough to get the team into the semi finals.

In the semis the Milleteers faced off against the Lacombe Dodgers, a team they whipped in a tournament last year. With revenge on their minds the Dodgers got to starter Brad Engel early and often as he battled control problems and could not get out of the first inning. Reliever Murray Doyle came in and pitched well, showing a short memory after blowing a save earlier in the week, getting out of the bases loaded jam in the first and giving the Milleteers a chance for a comeback. Down 5-4 with momentum seemingly on their side the wheels came off in the top of the fifth as Doyle seemingly got the inning ending ground ball, only to see an error extend the inning and begin a two out rally that put the nail in the coffin of the Milleteers. Ryan Walker and throwback veteran Shawn Brinkworth, who used to be one of the pre-eminent hurlers in Central Alberta in the mid 90s before taking a 13 year sabbatical, mopped up the rest of the innings.

Offensively the team made some strides at the plate as they actual worked some counts and drew some walks, but as usual the big hit to break a game open never came. The big hits better start coming and soon as the Milleteers face the top two teams in the PBL in league play this week, followed by another tournament in Camrose on the weekend.

Posted on May 31, 2009 by Steve Pahl