The Yorkton Cardinals are in a downward spiral in the Western Major Baseball League having lost 10-in-a-row, a streak they finally ended with a critical win Monday.
The Cardinals have a record of 12-23, and sit last in the WMBL East Division, 12.5-games back of Division-leading Regina, and deadlocked with Weyburn for the final playoff spot in the division.
Yorkton pulled into the tie with the Beavers Monday with a 9-5 win over Weyburn at Jubilee Park in the city.
Yorkton took the lead with four runs in the fourth inning, and then added three in the eighth for the win.
The offence was led by Thomas McAlpine with a three-for-four night, and five runs-batted-in, while Tanner Waite went four-for-four and scored three runs, while adding a stolen base.
McAlpine said the game was a must-win for the Cardinals.
"We've got a few games we've got to win to get that playoff spot," he said.
The difference Monday was some timely hitting by the Cardinals who strung some hits together. McAlpine said the team has been getting hits, although not always when they are needed to score runs.
As for his strong night, McAlpine said he felt ready.
"I was just seeing the ball a lot better. I felt good coming in I just focused on what I had to do," he said.
Jeff Chase had the win on the mound for Yorkton, starting and going seven innings, allowing five hits, and four runs, three of those earned, while striking out nine.
Assistant coach Jordan Herbison, who finished the game on the mound for Yorkton said the win was huge.
"It's nice to break that losing streak, especially against them," he said.
Herbison said the team is taking the final games of the season almost like a playoff series.
"We're in the playoffs right now and we just won game one," he said.
The Cardinals and Beavers are scheduled to meet twice more this week, with games in Weyburn Wednesday and Thursday.
McAlpine said the Cardinals should feel good going into Weyburn.
"We know we can beat Weyburn," he said, adding while the Beavers are a good team, he feels they can handle their pitching. " We can hit anything if we want to."
Weekend pair in SwiftThe Cardinals were in Swift Current for action on the weekend.On Saturday, Yorkton's pitching held the Indians to only three runs on six hits.
Starter Stuart Pudenz went five before giving way to the bullpen, but the solid performance from the hurlers would be wasted as the Cardinal bats were silenced.For the fourth time this season, and the second time this week against Swift Current, Yorkton was shut out, losing 3-0.
Yorkton managed five hits in the game.
The Sunday game was not as close as the Indians won 8-2.
Stephen Johnson started for Yorkton tossing 5.1 innings, giving up 10 hits and five runs, three of those earned, before being relieved by Ben Sollows.
Duncan McAlpine had three hits for Yorkton, with brother Thomas McAlpine having a pair, as did Jake Bailey.
Friday night doubleheaderIt was a night of baseball under the lights at Jubilee Park as the Cardinals hosted Melville for a pair of games.
In the opener, Melville scored one in the first, one in the second and added an insurance run in the final inning of the shortened seven-inning contest to take a 3-1 victory.Yorkton's lone run came in the third frame.
Max McDonald went the distance on the mound for Yorkton allowing only five hits and three runs, two of those earned.
The second game of the night offered fans a little more offence, but the win still went Melville's way by a 10-6 margin.
Yorkton actually led 5-1 after two innings, only to see the margin evaporate in the Millionaires' half of the third when they plated four runs to tie the game.
Kenny Kissel started the game for Yorkton, going five, and allowing five runs on five hits. Only three of the runs were earned.
Joie Dunyon came into the game in relief for Yorkton, allow three runs to score in the fifth, and two more in the seventh. Only two of the runs Dunyon allowed were earned, as he was tagged with the loss.
Richard Seaton had a pair of RBIs for Yorkton.
Cardinal assistant coach Chase said the Cardinal bats haven't been on lately, and it showed up again Friday.
"We didn't hit the ball well the first game," he said.
In the second, when they did get some runs, the defence lapsed, including an overthrow on a put-out attempt at first which cost the Cardinals two runs.
"You're not going to win many games when you give up 10 runs, especially in a seven-inning game," said Chase.
As for the general lack of hitting, especially timely hitting, Chase said it's not easy to put a finger on why the team is struggling, but it has hurt the Cardinal record.
"We just don't pile on big innings and put teams away," he said. " We've just got to get hits at the right time."
Chase said he still believes the Cardinals can get into the playoff picture.
"I like the guys we have. We just haven't put it together yet," he said.
Shut outLast Wednesday, the Cardinals held Swift Current to only five hits at Jubilee Park, but still dropped the game 1-0 as the Indians allowed Yorkton only three hits.
Chase started for the Cardinals and pitched into the ninth inning where he was tagged with the run and the loss, while striking out eight.
Dan Rogers pitched a complete game win for the Indians.
