The Brooks Bombers won in convincing fassion over the Moose Jaw Miller Express 13-4 in their home opener. Jack Leary got the call for the Bombers and the Miller Express sent out Matt Vasquez who came into Wednesday 1-0 after 3 innings pitched on opening day against Weyburn.
Moose Jaw would start off with Darren Hagan advancing to second off an airant throw followed by Nate Mensik driving him home with a single to take the lead. Leary however would limit the damage and get out of the inning only giving up the lone run. The Bombers found themselves in familiar territory but this time Antony Gilbert sent a fly ball to right center field that kept carrying and left the park for their first homerun of the season to take their first lead of the season.
Leary would strike out three in the top of the 2nd and not long after Antony Gilbert would send another one over the wall in right center for his 2nd homer of the evening.
“Usually you take the first pitch but I thought I would try and jump on a fastball especially after it was a one pitch one out before me”, said Gilbert.
This was a key moment for the Bombers as they felt in control for the first time this season and Leary reflected that putting up more scoreless innings after giving up his only run in the first. Leary had seven strikeouts through six and one third innings before Nate Mensik and Elijah Bear hit back to back solo home runs to cut the deficit to one.
“When I talked to him in the dugout after he was never flustered he just told me he missed his spots plain and simple”, said pitching coach Jake Zettel.
Matt Vasquez was taken out of the game going five innings giving up five hits and four earned runs off a pair of Antony Gilbert two run blasts. Vasquez struggled with command at time but gave the Millers a quality start.
Julian Gonzalez came in releif and Zander Bretza jumped all over the first pitch he saw and took him deep to give the Bombers some breathing room. Leary continued to cruise and set up the Brooks bats in the bottom half of the seventh. The Bombers had runners on the corners for Will Bomersbach when he decided to join the homerun party with a three run shot to make it an 8-4 ball game.
Jack Leary trotted out there for the eigth inning and struck out the first hitter he faced for number ten on the night before giving up another solo homerun to Nate Mensik. After Elijah Bear reached base that would be all for Leary as he went seven and a third giving up four runs and striking out ten. New signing Tyson Killbreath came in for Leary and escaped the inning untouched.
The Exclamation point on the night came in the bottom of the eigth where the bases were loaded for Will Bombersbach and he sent one yard for an emphatic grand slam.
“I felt like I was seeing it well all night, I just got a couple good pitches to hit”, said Bomersbach.
The Bombers would close out the game and send the Brooks faithful home happy. Tonights game was a reminder of what this team can achieve moving forward.
“The dugout was energized and involved all night long, it was awesome to see”, said Zettel.
“It was great seeing familiar faces around the ballpark again this year, especially the fans who have supported us since 2016”, said President and GM Jason Wandler.
The home opener was a resounding success for the Brooks Bombers but it wont get any easier as they will take on the Miller Express once again thursday night before playing a home & home with the Okotoks Dawgs friday and saturday.