Mavericks Sal Rodriguez finds it hard to leave the field - Scott Roblin

By Scott Roblin

Lethbridge Bulls defeat Medicine Hat Mavericks – move on play Okotoks

Aug 11, 2019 | 8:51 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As a light rain began pouring down at Spitz Stadium, Sal Rodriguez inched closer to the outfield gate.

But, he couldn’t bring himself to walk off the field for the final time.

A new champion will be crowned in the Western Canadian Baseball League, as the Medicine Hat Mavericks were blanked 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Saturday by the Lethbridge Bulls.

Medicine Hat was limited to just three hits over the first eight innings on the night, shut down by Bulls starter Dylan Emmons who threw 106 pitches over six scoreless innings with a trio of punch outs.

“You have to tip your cap to Lethbridge,” said Mavericks head coach Vessella. “They’ve been a thorn in our side all year and they’re tough. If you can shut our offence down like they did in this series, they deserve to move on.”

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One of a number of seniors on the 2019 Mavericks roster, Rodriguez had a hit in his final at-bat with the team after two seasons in red and white.

He added it was an emotional atmosphere in the visiting dressing room, with the players knowing their quest for a repeat was over.

“We wanted to do more,” said Rodriguez. “We wanted to do more for each other, for the fans, just the organization in general. But, we gave it our best effort tonight and the chips didn’t fall in our favour. But, it happens and that’s sports.”

Lethbridge got out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning with outfielder Robert Bostedt grounding out to second base, but getting just enough to score a runner from third.

That lead doubled to 2-0 two innings later, with Mavericks pitcher Garrett Nicholson losing the handle on a pitch that flew behind home plate to allow Bostedt to tack on another run.

Medicine Hat was able to turn in one of their best defensive plays of the season in their final tilt, with short stop P.J. Garcia pulling off an unassisted triple-play to get out of a jam in the fifth inning.

Nicholson’s night came to an end in the sixth inning after being charged with a throwing error to first base, giving Ashton Roy a trot home from third base to make it a 3-0 contest.

Replaced by Bryce Libke and later Flynn Ridley, Nicholson threw five and one-third innings of seven-hit ball with three earned runs and five strikeouts.

It was a game of what could have been for Medicine Hat as three times they left a pair of runners stranded, including runners on second and third base in the ninth inning before a Taylor Wright strikeout ended the game and the series.

Emotion ran high in the Mavericks dugout following the final out, with many of the players embracing one another and sharing in their final game of the season.

For some players like veteran catcher Colton Wright, the scene was especially hard to take in knowing his days as a Maverick were now in the rear-view mirror.

A three-year staple at Athletic Park, Wright was the bonafide leader both on and off the diamond for the Mavericks and was a key piece in gelling the locker room during the team’s early season struggles.

“This group was relentless, they just wanted it, they just tried to fight,” said Wright. “I can’t say anything more than my time in Medicine Hat [was] amazing.”

Wright also connected on one of the team’s five hits on the evening, adding one last piece to his career stat line.

Medicine Hat’s core of Wright, Rodriguez, and hometown product Nolan Rattai will all be leaving the Mavericks organization as seniors after winning the WCBL championship last year at home.

Although he will cherish that night in August of 2018, Wright said he was hungry for another championship in his senior year.

“Whether it’s an at-bat, it’s a game, it’s a week, it’s a month, it’s a season, you let that one go and you move onto the next one,” said Wright. “It’s just the golden rule in this sport, you have to do it and it’s so tough on you mentally. But, that’s what we did. Yeah, we won a championship last year, but that’s what we wanted to do this year.”

Rodriguez also will leave the ‘Gas City’ with a 2018 championship ring, but joined in with Wright saying getting to wear the Medicine Hat crest meant even more.

“It means a lot to be a champion,” said Rodriguez. “But, I think more importantly it means a lot to be a Maverick. So, that’s just something that I’ll take pride in for the rest of my life.”

The Mavericks head back to Medicine Hat on Saturday night before parting ways over the weekend, with many heading back to their college and university teams.

Graduating from Northeastern State University, Wright said he’s devastated to see his career come to a close, but is proud to walk away from the game as a Maverick.

“I’ll remember these times for the rest of my life,” said Wright.

Lethbridge now advances to face the top-ranked Okotoks Dawgs in the second round of WCBL playoffs, while the Regina Red Sox and Swift Current 57’s will meet in the Eastern Division finals.