2015 baseball season heats up in Pincher Creek

• Three games in a row decided by one point for Hawks
• Little League season begins

C. Davis/T. Lucas/ J. Jackson

The Hawks lost twice this week, each time by 1 point, and earned a 1 point win over Picture Butte's Kings last week.  A very competitive season so far.

Little Leaguers hit the fields this week, in large numbers.  Pincher Creek Minor Baseball GM Carrah Walter: "In Little League it has been a GREAT start. Parents have slowly been stepping up to help coach. Practices have been going well. The weather has been holding up for us. We are just waiting to finalize teams so we can get a schedule made for the Minors and Majors. We are not taking any more registrations as teams are full. Which is always nice to see. The Crowsnest Pass is looking to merge with Pincher Creek to gain a few more Junior players."

Little League

Minors (9-10 year old) practice at Lions

Little League practice schedule

T-ball Mondays - Juan Teran Park Diamond B 6:00-7:00
T-ball Wednesdays - Juan Teran Park Diamond B 6:00-7:00
Coach Pitch - Juan Teran Park Diamond C Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00-7:00
Minors - Lions Park Monday and Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 (May change to 5:30-6:30)
Majors - Lions Park Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00

Learning how to swing the bat during Coach Pitch

Call it!

6-8 year olds

Coaching staff Coach Jerrad Skeirke, Assistant Coach Brad Kropinak

Juan Teran Park

Dust Devils Manager Carrah Walter talks to 9-10 yr olds and new coaches

9-10 year olds

Coach Dale Ayers and assistant coach Russell Bruder

16 kids in the 9-10 age range showed up for Minors practice on Monday at Lions Park.  Three kids have not played before - welcome to baseball.

Dale Ayers stood up to coach at this practice.

"Have fun. That's what they need to learn at this age." - Assistant coach Russell Bruder

Hawks warming up with a game of catch

Hawks edged by Knights and Cougars

On Monday evening April 20 Pincher Creek's Hawks High School Baseball team hosted Coaldale's Knights at Sproule Field. The weather was favourable, a light breeze coming from the east for a change. The Knights won by one point 17-16. After a strong start, the Hawks were outpaced by the Knights in the final innings of the game. On April 16 the Hawks defeated Picture Butte's Kings at Sproule Field 15-14. The Hawks' season opener against Kainai was cut short by Kainai's forfeiture due to lack of players. The Hawks lost 9-7 vs the Cardston Cougars on the road April 23.

Hawk Matthew Duncan races to first (successfully)

The Hawks had a strong opening inning offensively and defensively in the game against the Knights, At the end of the first inning the score was 3-3.    A quick three at-bats at the top of the second put the Hawks behind, and they never quite caught up after that.  Hawk Mitchell Zoratti had a fairly successful first outing (this season) as a starting pitcher, not giving up any major hits and striking out three batters to start the fourth inning. The Hawks rode their pitcher's success from the top of the inning into the bottom half scoring 4 off of a few errors and a walk by the Knights.  The Knights had a very strong fifth inning, outscoring the Hawks 5-2.  Hawks pitcher Michael Svab had a good sixth inning, and was strong in general, and the Hawks outscored the Knights 3-1 in the sixth.  The Hawks were still behind by 1, and a tied 3-3 seventh and final inning gave the game to the Knights.

Mitchell Zoratti pitching for Hawks

Michael Svab pitching for the Hawks

Errors were a deciding factor in this game.  Communication on the field, and good fielding helped the Knights to their win.  It was a competitive game.  The energy level was up from first inning to last, for both teams.  A major improvement was evident in the Hawks' sliding and stealing efforts, and pitching has been notably good.  The Hawks need to up their chatter on the field some, particularly when it comes to calling the ball.

Hawks Head Coach Bryan Burns directs traffic at 3rd

The mood in the Hawks dugout after the game was far from glum.  "You win some, you lose some" was heard, and this was that kind of a game.  

The Hawks have two more away games before bringing it back home for the second to last home game of the scheduled season.  On Thursday May 7 they will host Magrath's Zeniths at Sproule Park in Pincher Creek, starting at 5:30.

HAWKS SCHEDULE

Monday, April 27 - Away at 5:30 vs High River Mustangs

Tuesday, May 5 - Away at 5:30 vs Crowsnest Pass Panthers

Thursday, May 7 - Home at 5:30 vs Magrath Zeniths

Thursday, May 14 - Home at 5:30 vs Hawks

Tuesday, May 19 - Home at 5:30 vs Claresholm Cobras

Thursday, May 21 - Away at 5:30 vs Fort Macleod Flyers

High School Provincials- May 29/30 TBD

Hawk Beau Walter at bat

Hawk Tyson Goodreau at bat

Photos and video: Joey Jackson, Chris Davis, T. Lucas