In the second match-up since the rebirth of St. Albert’s junior AAA team, the Tigers Orange fell once again at the hands of their senior AAA counterparts in the Sunburst Baseball League.
Although the Orange were looking to avenge their previous 10-2 loss at the start of the season against the Tigers Black, Friday’s 5-2 setback was a confidence booster for the winless juniors. They were able to outscore the Black 2-0 in the eighth inning.
Orange coach Bob Cruthers believes the strong finish after a 4-0 deficit shows the added element his team is developing,
“When you go down early it’s hard to battle back, especially against those guys, but I think they gained some confidence,” Cruthers said.
Black coach Kurtus Millar said anything can happen in the remaining two games between the teams.
“They have a good enough squad that if they play error free baseball and they get their pitchers going, I don’t see why they couldn’t beat us,” Millar said.
The Black improved to 2-3, with all three losses against the Fort Saskatchewan Athletics, last year’s senior AAA provincial finalists and 2009 national champions. The Orange fell to 0-7.
Tuesday night the Black hosted the Athletics (4-0) at Legion Memorial Park and the Orange visited the Red Deer Riggers (3-3), the defending provincial champions. Scores were unavailable at press time.
This weekend both teams will compete in the 28th annual Tigers Baseball Association tournament. It could also serve as a momentum boost for the Black. The senior squad will be among the favourites to win after reeling off back-to-back championships the last two years.
“We’re pumped for it, that’s for sure. We want to keep that streak alive,” Millar said. “The absolute best scenario would be us playing each other in the finals but the Orange are going to have to really step up and play three great games to get to the playoffs and we will have to, too.”
The Black are pooled together with the Parkland Whitesox, Red Deer Stags and the Grays, an all-star team from Prince George.
The Orange are scheduled to play the Athletics, Riggers and Calgary Red Birds in the round robin.
“It’s probably the best eight teams we’ve ever had in this tournament in the last 10 years I have been around. It will be a tough tournament,” said Millar.
While the Black are shooting for another tournament title, the Orange have modest goals since they are playing in an older age category than their own.
“Of course it would always be great for the junior team to beat the senior club but on the same token it’s not our goal. We want to play well each and every night, but just beating the Black is not our goal,” said Cruthers.
