The Interlake Jr. Blue Jays kept the good times rolling last week, adding two more wins to their season total.
Pembina Valley Orioles first baseman Jaren Hildebrand records the out on Interlake Blue Jays batter Keenan Allen during MJBL action at Arctic Field on June 10. The Blue Jays earned a 4-1 victory
On Wednesday, the Jays earned a 4-1 victory over the Pembina Valley Orioles (6-7) at Arctic Field in Winkler, extending their winning streak to six games.
They then returned home Sunday for a doubleheader against the second-place St. Boniface Legionaires in Grosse Isle.
The Legionaires had won both previous meetings between the clubs this season at Whittier Park, but the Jays turned the tables in Game 1, earning an 11-9 victory to stretch their winning streak to seven games.
Game 2 was another offensive battle, with both teams trading runs throughout the contest.
The Legionaires eventually came away with an 18-17 win after the Jays were unable to take the lead in their final at-bat. Despite the loss, Interlake earned a split against one of the MJBL’s top teams.
“The pitching was OK,” said head coach Dave Meyers. “A couple of our guys were really good, and then a couple of our guys were a little suspect. They had a couple of tough things going on, but other than that, all around play has been really good. I’m very happy with the way things are going. Could we easily have been 10-4? Yeah. We kind of gave that second game away. We had chances to win it in regulation and we didn’t. Things like that are going to happen, but all-in-all it’s been a good year.”
Although the winning streak came to an end, Interlake’s 2-1 week improved its record to 9-5, good for third place in the Manitoba Junior Baseball League standings.
The Jays remain within striking distance of the Legionaires (10-4) and the first-place Carillon Sultans (11-2), who sit two and four points ahead of Interlake, respectively.
Next up is another trip to Winkler for a Thursday night rematch with Pembina Valley before the Jays head to Steinbach on Saturday for an MJBL Showcase Day matchup against Carillon. Meyers said he will be paying close attention to his pitching staff as the season progresses.
“I have three starters and they they’ve been good, and my guys that haven’t pitched a lot, that I rely on a lot, are starting to throw more, and they’re coming around,” said Meyers. “Our pitching is just going to get better as the year winds down. We can play with anyone. It doesn’t matter that you get a guy coming in throwing 85 miles an hour, our guys are ripping the cover off the ball. When that comes down, you’re going to score runs, and if your pitching is good, our defence is as good as anybody’s. We will be close in all games, and hopefully come down the stretch there we’re ready to roll into the playoffs, and slide right along through. Hopefully we get to where we want to go.”
Upcoming games
• Thursday, June 18 — at Pembina Valley Orioles, 7 p.m., Arctic Field
• Saturday, June 20 — vs. Carillon Sultans, 7 p.m., A.D. Penner Park, Steinbach
