SASKATOON - Coming off a huge win in Neudorf last Wednesday to repeat as Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League champs, the Rhein Rockets headed to Saskatoon on the weekend for provincial play.
Bolstered by players from the Whitewood Falcons and Fleming Jets, the Rockets got off to a strong start in pool play Friday.
In their first game they faced the Saskatoon Merchants and were in a 6-6 tie headed to the seventh inning where Brett Peppler proved the hero hitting a two-run homer for an 8-6 win.
Fleming pick-up Brayden Stewart was the winning pitcher.
The Earl Grey Rockets were up next and with Terry Peppler in the pitching circle Rhein won 4-1.
Things would not go as smoothly Saturday as Rhein dropped a 7-2 decision to the Moose Jaw Canadians with Stewart taking the loss.
Then the Conquest Capitals bested the Rockets 13-10.
Rhein’s two-and-two record was still good enough to head to the playoff round Sunday.
Drawing the early 8:30 a.m. start the Rockets faced the Saskatoon Tint Centre Cubs.
The Rockets were up 2-1 in the bottom of seven, but the Cubs had men on first and third with only one out, when they hit a fly ball to the outfield. Dominic Orr made the catch and then threw out the runner on third to preserve the win.
The double play made Terry Peppler the winner and was an ideal birthday present as the veteran thrower turned 60 Saturday. He allowed only three hits and struck out eight in the game.
The Rockets headed to the semi-finals to face the Moose Jaw Giants, who had not lost a game heading into action.
The Rockets were down 5-2, but scored three in the sixth to knot the score 5-5, only to give up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame to trail 6-5.
But the Rockets were hot in the seventh plating five runs for a 10-6 win, with Stewart in the circle.
The provincial final had the Rockets facing the Earl Grey Rockets for a second time. This time Earl Grey had Jeremy Kenny pitching and he shut down the Rhein bats in a 5-0 contest.
Terry Peppler started the final with Stewart wrapping up in the silver medal effort for Rhein.
