Lakers split with Redbirds

By Lethbridge Herald on June 26, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Lakers pitcher Railey de Mateo releases a pitch during American Legion 'A' baseball action against the Lewistown Redbirds on Thursday at Lloyd Nolan Yard.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Lakers could not seem to find an answer on offence in the first game of an American Legion ‘A’ baseball doubleheader against the Lewistown Redbirds on Thursday, as they were thumped 8-2 at Lloyd Nolan Yard.

“The big one for us right now is just confidence,” said Lucas Puszkar, Lakers head coach.

“I just try to express to the boys, use that confidence and play with some swagger. That’s what we need …right now.”

There were detailed aspects of confidence that must be worked on for the Lakers after the loss.

“I know there’s intimidation when you’re a 16-year-old playing against an 18, 19 -year-old,” said Puszkar.

“We belong here, we need to be here and we gotta play like that.”

Key hits just were not there for the Lakers in the game.

“That’s something we try and work on big time in practice,” said Puszkar.

“That’s a big one so far is just finding those crucial at bats and doing a job.”

The Lakers pitching duo of Jarren Beck and Railey de Mateo gave up eight runs on nine hits while striking out six and walking four batters.

Grady Knoblich and Austin Borthwick scored Lethbridge’s runs.

Lakers quickly put that loss in the rearview mirror as they clipped the Redbirds 15-0 in the second game of the doubleheader.

Lethbridge was led by Cooper Norsworthy on the bump as he only allowed one hit in five innings and combining that with a 10-run fourth inning is what helped the Lakers get the win.

“Our team just came out with energy on the field and on the bench,” said Puszkar in a text to the Herald after the second game.

“That’s exactly how we have to approach games to continue to be successful.”

Payton Brownlee had a good game as he had five RBIs (runs batted in), while having two hits on four plate appearances and a run scored, while de Mateo had two hits, four runs and an RBI.

The Lakers are 5-13 in conference play.

Miners

The Lethbridge Miners ‘A’ American Legion team swept the Redbirds the night before at Spitz Stadium by scores of 11-1 and 10-0, respectively.

The Miners are 17-3 in conference play.

Elks

The Lethbridge Elks ‘AA’ American Legion team lost their first game 4-3  in the Helena tournament to the Williston Keybirds on Thursday.