The Brooks Bombers suffered a 17-3 loss in Sylvan Lake on Saturday night. The Bombers were visitors in back-to-back home openers this weekend. Grayden Stauffer got the nod for Brooks and the Gulls sent out James Brock.
Brock cruised through the first three Bombers, but Stauffer had a tougher time in the bottom half. A first pitch double off the wall from Matty Fung. Things would unravel quickly for the veteran as the cleanup hitter Cooper Ciesielski drew a bases loaded walk to open the scoring. Gavin Galenza singled to bring two more runs in. Ryley Doig was next up for the Gulls and dribbled one to Stauffers right where he threw it out of the reach of Ned Ceklic at first base, two more runs would score. After Matty Fung got his second at bat of the inning and walked Stauffers night was over.
“He just didn’t have his stuff tonight, every pitcher even at the pro levels goes through it”, said Pitching coach Jake Zettel.
Killian McLaughlin would replace him throwing three scorless innings to including striking out back-to-back hitters in the 2nd to escape a two on one out jam. It was exactly what the Bombers needed to settle down.
“I was really happy with him, he’s usually a two-inning guy and the fact he went three tonight is awesome”, said Zettel.
“I was feeling a little fatigued in the third and wish I could’ve done a better job but overall it was good”, Said McLaughlin.
Brock meanwhile was having his way with the Bombers no hitting them until Antony Gilbert lead off the fifth inning with a single. Although the Bombers didn’t score that inning they started to attack the Gulls starter stringing together good at bats and forcing Brock to walk in the first run for the Bombers. The Gulls would eventually end Brocks night after six strong innings.
The Bombers would go down with nothing until the eighth where Jacob Gillis would single and Zander Bretza would reach on an error which would set up Antony Gilbert who chopped one towards the mound that Gulls pitcher Joshua Perez would airmail to first base allowing two to come home. Unfortunately thats all the offense could drum up.
“We need to keep pushing, our energy needs to stay high, 9 innings is a long time and you never know when something good is going to happen”, said Gilbert.
The Bombers are back in action this Wednesday when they will play their home opener against the Moose Jaw Miller Express at Elks Field.
“Were excited for baseball to be back in Brooks and are looking forward to our fans meeting our new players and enjoying some high level baseball”, said President and GM Jason Wandler. The players cant wait to finally be able to play in front of this tight knit community.