The Moose Jaw Miller Express are headed to the next round of the playoffs after completing the two-game sweep of the Medicine Hat Mavericks. Michael Rago went 5-for-8 in the series, while Jacob Mraz’s two-run homerun in Game 2 powered the Millers to the East Division Final. Moose Jaw snagged Game 1 of the semi-final over Medicine Hat in a back-and-forth affair in which 19 runs were scored between the two teams. Despite leading the league in strikeouts – and breaking the WCBL single-season record – star righty Westin Walls gave up nine runs, five of them earned, in just six innings of work to open the series. His offence backed him up, with all nine batters driving in at least one run as the Millers came out on top 10-9. In Game 2, Moose Jaw dominated. Mraz’s two-run shot in the fifth inning was part of a six-run inning for the Millers. From there, they did not look back, getting 6.2 quality innings from Jacob Glazener – in which he allowed just four runs and walked just one. Moose Jaw took the series clinching game 12-5. Sox, Berries trade blows Now the Millers await the winner of the other division semi-final between Regina and Saskatoon. Saskatoon nabbed game one 7-3 with a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth by catcher Aiden Kilshaw. In Game 2 as the series turned to Currie Field, Red Sox returning second baseman Jalen Meyers went 4-for-4 with two doubles, one run scored and one RBI. Berries’ slugger Ethan Murdoch smashed a two-run homerun in the third inning to get Saskatoon out in front early. He was 2-for-4 with two RBIs on the night. Then in the fifth, Regina product Brady Bye countered with a three-run jack of his own – which would stand as the game-winning runs. Sox pitcher Kris Hahn would lock down the game in relief, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out three in the save as Regina took Game 2 5-3. The win forced a winner-take-all Game 3 back in Saskatoon Sunday at Cairns Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
