Mavs eliminated from playoffs with loss in Game 3 on Friday

By James Tubb on August 9, 2024.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks’ 2024 season ended Friday night at Athletic Park. The Mavs lost the deciding Game 3 6-4 to the Saskatoon Berries and lost the East semifinals 2-1. Saskatoon will face the Moose Jaw Miller Express in the East finals starting Sunday. Head coach Kevin Mitchell says the loss hurts. “This game is a huge part of my life, I’ve been around it long enough to have had this feeling before, it never gets easier when a season ends,” Mitchell said. “It takes time to process all the different parts of it and it’s hard. But I just told the guys, when you care about something, when you open yourself up to really care and open yourself up to the possibility of getting hurt, that’s what this feeling is, because these guys all really care about this team and this game, and they’re hurting right now, just like I am. So tonight, we didn’t perform as well as we should have.” We had our chances and guys on base and made some costly mistakes at the wrong time, and kudos to Saskatoon, they played a really strong run.” Medicine Hat opened the scoring in the first inning. Third baseman Tyler Vanneste drove in a run with an RBI single for the early 1-0 count. The Berries tied the game the next inning with a solo home run by left fielder Nolan Sparks. The Mavs had a big chance to attack in the second inning, but it was thwarted by a questionable call. Designated hitter Michael Quick grounded out, but shortstop Johnny Vulcano was ruled out for interference on a clean slide at second base. Medicine Hat did capitalize in the inning with an RBI single by Babiuk, but could have had a bigger lead than 2-1 if not for the call at second base. Medicine Hat couldn’t add to the one-run lead, and the Berries caught up with it, with another solo home run by Sparks to tie it 2-2 in the sixth inning. Starter Jack Novak was thrown out after the sixth inning, allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and retiring six batters. Leo Woods took over for the Mavs and held the Berries at bay, allowing only two baserunners in the seventh and eighth innings. Saskatoon stalled in the ninth. A one-out single scored on a deep triply by center fielder Carter Beck to give Saskatoon a 3-2 lead. Cesar Rodriguez took over with Beck on third and one out. The Berries kept the offense going, with two singles and a double to drive in two runs to give them a 5-2 lead. Dylan Runge took over for Rodriguez and drew a sac fly, recording one out as the Berries extended their lead to 6-2. Medicine Hat got out of the frame and looked to make a comeback in the ninth. Babiuk and second baseman Marshall Burke reached on walks and singles, respectively, to thrill the crowd of 1,441. But the Mavs could not score the season-saving runs and lost 6-2. Mitchell thanked the fans for their support throughout the game and the season. “The atmosphere was great tonight, our fans are great, everyone here tonight was there on every pitch with us,” Mitchell said. “I can’t even put into words how much that means, how much fun it is and what it’s like to perform in front of a crowd like that. “It’s been a lot of fun all summer with these fans and I’m sad to see it end this way.” See Tuesday News for a reflection on the 2024 Mavs season. 17
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