Bulls strike first in final

By Dale Woodard on August 21, 2021.

The arms race continues to favour the Lethbridge Bulls in their playoff run.

Hosting Game 1 of the Western Canadian Baseball League championship final against the Edmonton Prospects Friday night at Spitz Stadium, Lethbridge drew first blood in the best-of-three series with a 2-0 win.

Bulls starter Jake Anderson went the distance and threw a total of 107 pitches to earn the shutout and the ‘W’ as Lethbridge looks for the sweep and the 2021 WCBL title tonight as Game 2 heads north to Edmonton.

“Obviously an unbelievable job by Jake Anderson,” said Bulls head coach Chance Wheatley.

“He was awesome and the defence was phenomenal as well. Our bats did just enough.”

Anderson gave up three hits in his shutout performance, walking three and striking out eight.

The only hot water the Calgary product ran into was in the second inning when the Prospects loaded the bases with two out.

But with Edmonton’s Conor Bronson at the plate, Anderson was able to induce a line out to Bulls first baseman Ty Penner to end the threat.

Of Anderson’s 107 pitches, 72 were strikes.

“The first inning he was really good and then in the second inning he struggled a little bit,” said Wheatley.

“He was a little bit too amped up and then just got back to himself and pounded the zone from there on. I’d say after the third inning he was much better.”

The Bulls hit the scoresheet first in the bottom of the first.

Penner advanced to first on a fielder’s choice and stole second.

He then crossed on a Carlin Dick double.

It stayed 1-0 until the sixth when the hosts doubled their lead as Dick singled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Nick Gravel.

Dick and Gravel had the two multi-hit games for the Bulls, who outhit Edmonton 7-3.

Dick was 2-for-4 with one run scored and Gravel hit 2-for-3.

Prospects pitcher Sasha Kamenjasevic took the loss for Edmonton, throwing eight innings and surrendering two runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out 13.

Game time in Edmonton tonight is 7:05 p.m. as the Lethbridge looks to lock up the title.

If they don’t, Game 3 comes back to Spitz Stadium Sunday night at 7:05 p.m.

“We don’t want to have to come back here for Game 3,” said Wheatley.

“It’s nice to be able to, but we want to win (tonight).”

Kyle Poapst gets the start for the Bulls on the mound tonight.

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