Elks look to up consistency as conference play kicks off

By Lethbridge Herald on June 7, 2024.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Elks American Legion baseball team kick off conference play today with the hopes of upping their consistency.

“It’s been (a) little bit inconsistent early but that’s to be expected with … a younger club,” said Elks head coach Scott Oikawa, on the team’s play heading into conference play.

“I think we’ve shown some signs of some quality play and hopefully we can take that into conference.”

The Elks will need balanced efforts game in and game out if they want to see success.

“One of the keys with the parity to our league is to just make sure you come out with a consistent effort,” said Oikawa.

“Try to avoid getting swept, try to make sure that you come out with a good game and get better the next (game).”

Oikawa said every team is solid and they’re solid throughout their line-up.

“I mean if you can make sure you’re prepared to play every day during the conference runs and come out with quality efforts, it generally works out,” said Oikawa.

Oikawa said there is a certain magnitude to the games and to the mistakes.

“But that’s not something that you can worry about,” said Oikawa.

“You just have to go out and give it your best effort and just make sure you’re prepared and ready to play and good things happen (and)bad things happen. But how you react to that is often the deciding factor in whether you come out with a ‘W’ or not.”

The Elks host the Billings Scarlets today at 5 p.m. at Lloyd Nolan and for a Sunday twin bill  starting at 11 a.m. at Spitz Stadium.

“They are I think one of the favourites in the league this year just based on some of their returners and how they’ve done so far this season,” said Oikawa.

“At the same time, I think we’ve got a quality club, and I guess we’ll find out where we stand this weekend.”