Around the PBL: June 18 – June 20

The race for the PBL Pennant and the final Wild Card berth heats up as teams begin the last stretch of regular season play. The Royals, Blue Jays and Athletics are all battling for first place and seeding heading into the playoffs while the Wild Card race is even closer. The Axemen, Roadrunners, Milleteers and Braves all sit within half a game of each other as fans get to see the teams battle it out for one spot in the standings. The Wild Card race has been a slow race with no one team willing to step up and put together a win or two lately meaning it will likely come right down to the wire as the season wraps up in the next couple of weeks. The Edmonton Expos are however sitting comfortably in fourth place, for now, and would host the PBL Wild Card game if the standings remained the same.

This week will also feature the Rosalind Athletics Tournament which will run from Friday June 21 until Sunday June 23 in conjunction with a slo-pitch tournament and dance on Saturday night.

TUESDAY JUNE 18

Camrose Axemen – 4

Leduc Milleteers – 13

With a Wild Card berth battle going on between four teams, the Axemen had an opportunity to sweep the Milleteers in the season series and set themselves up for a shot at fifth place. Unfortunately the Axemen would only be able to muster an eight man roster for Tuesday night’s road game and the Milleteers made them pay dearly with a season high 13 runs scored. No other details were made available.

Rosalind Athletics – 9

Tofield Braves – 1

The Athletics completed the season swept of the Braves with a big win from pitcher Dan Enright on Tuesday night. Enright would hold the Braves offence to only three hits on the night, as Tofield’s hitters have struggled the past couple of weeks to get on base and put up runs. The Braves were unable to create any separation in the standings as they will remain in a three way tie for fifth place with the Roadrunners and Milleteers. It is the Braves fourth loss in their last five games. The Athletics on the other hand have extended their winning streak to five games as they are right on the heels of the second place Blue Jays and league leading Royals.

Camrose Roadrunners – 3

Armena Royals – 15

A five inning mercy rule evoking blowout by the Royals keeps them atop of the PBL standings while the Roadrunners fall for the fourth time in five games. The win gives the Armena Royals the first clinched playoff spot of the season. No other details were provided about the game.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19

Holden Blue Jays at Camrose Axemen (PPD)

Mother Nature opened up the sky on Wednesday morning and because of an unrelenting rain through most of the day, Wednesday night’s game was postponed until a future date. The Blue Jays are looking for a single point in the standings to join the Royals as the first teams to clinch a playoff spot. They will now have to wait until Thursday night against the Rosalind Athletics for their chance.

THURSDAY JUNE 20

Rosalind Athletics at Holden Blue Jays (PPD)

Baseball fans had this game circled on the calendar at the start of the week as both teams are neck and neck in a Pennant Race. Both the Jays and the A’s need a point or a win to secure their playoff spot however after two days of rain, the Holden Recreation Grounds was deemed unplayable pushing this match up later in the season.

Leduc Milleteers at Camrose Roadrunners (PPD)

Tofield Braves at Armena Royals (PPD)

The entire schedule was washed out on Thursday night as rain continued throughout the day making fields unplayable. Fans can check the schedule as teams will be scheduling make up games between now and July 12.

SUNDAY JUNE 23

Holden Blue Jays – 11

Camrose Axemen – 0

The Jays blowout the Axemen in a re-scheduled game from Wednesday June 19. Jays ace Kyle Muzechka once again proved to be one of the best arms in the league by pitching a five inning complete game shutout over the Axemen. The win moves the Jays into a tie with the Armena Royals with a 9-1-1 record, however, the Jays will slide into first place by winning the tie breaker. No other game details were provided.