The Brooks Bombers played their first sunday afternoon game of the season and beat the Edmonton Prospects 15-3. Edmonton would send Hudson Kozicki to the mound while Ollie Duthie would make his first start of 2024.
The Bombers offense wasted no time getting on the board with Payton Matthews walking and stealing a base setting up the first RBI of the game off the bat of Kelton Phillips. Matthews would continue to be active in the 2nd as he drove one to center field that Brady Kreutzer lost in the sun scoring Ned Ceklic. Maddox Shaver drove a run in during the bottom of the third as well as Zander Bretza who scored on a past ball. Sebastian Cazorla picked up where he left off last night in Okotoks with a leadoff solo homeurn in the bottom of the fourth.
“I think guys including him we just not trying to do too much out there and thats why your seeing results”, said head coach Dan Morgan.
If your wondering why Ollie Duthie hasnt been mentioned its because he was crusing at around a 10 pitch per inning pace through six innings. He would give up only one run on three hits while striking out six and only walking two batters. He had the Prospect hitters guessing with a great mix of fastballs and slow curveballs that froze guys at the plate.
“He was hitting his spots today and was really efficiant keeping the ball down”, said pitching coach Jake Zettel.
In the bottom of the sixth the game really turned sideways for Edmonton. After the bases were loaded Antony Gilbert singled to score Matthews. A wild Pitch scored Jacob Gillis. Zander Bretza hit a sacrifice fly to score Kelton Phillips. Maddox Shaver drove in his 2nd runner of the afternoon and then Sebastian Cazorla drove a runner in off an Edmonton error. The order got turned over for Payton Matthews who made no mistake on an outside fastball and drove it to left field for a three run homerun.
Edmonton would add three runs late but the damage was done. The Bombers sent the crowd home happy. The Brooks Bandits were also in attendance and brought the energy all game long. They were also celebrated as the won the Rocky Mountain Challenge trophy Saturday night.
“They’re a fun group, it was great to play in front of them again”, said Matthews.
The motor is starting to turn in Brooks and the coaches and players can feel it starting to happen. “The more guys we continue get gain the better were going to be”, said Zettel.
The Bombers will look to keep building when they host Lethbridge Tuesday night at 6:30.