The 2011 Western Major Baseball League season got going last week. In 2010, the Red Sox posted a 29-13 record and finished first in the East Division. Rain played hovoc with the playoffs, if memory serves, but the Sox were able to advance to the WMBL final where they fell to the Swift Current Indians by scores of 7-1 and 7-2.
Last season, the Sox were led offensively by infielder Mitch McDonald and outfielder David Fox who batted .476 and .414 respectively. The team also received strong pitching performances from Jesus Del Rosario (1.46 ERA), Shawn Wilyman (2.66 ERA), Jake Mitcheltree (2.91 ERA) and Daniel McKinney (3.26 ERA).
MacDonald (who also hit eight home runs and had 48 RBI to win the WMBL’s triple crown) and Wilyman are two of eleven returnees from last year’s squad. Fox, though, wasn’t expected to rejoin the team. To fill his spot in right field, along with other vacancies in the line-up, manager Rob Cherepuschak will rely on some promising U.S. College players like centre fielder Josh Young (who had 30 stolen bases for Georgia State College this spring) and shortstop Randy Ramirez (who hit .383 for Rogers State University with eight homers, 50 RBI and 26 stolen bases).
Heading into a two-game set against the Edmonton Prospects last night and tonight at Currie Field (7:05 p.m. start), the Red Sox sported a 4-1 record and had outscored the opposition something like 60 to 11. That’s not an exaggeration, either, as in one game they pounded the Weyburn Beavers 18-1. And in their home opener against the Yorkton Cardinals on June 3 they won 22-2.
Tougher tests undoubtedly await the squad. But for now it looks like the Red Sox will be contenders this season. If you get a chance, check them out. Tickets are Adult $10, Student & Senior $7, with kids under 13 admitted for $2.