The Virden Oilers battled weather and the South West Baseball League-leading Boissevain Centennials last week.
The Oilers had contests against Hamiota and Reston rained out on Tuesday and Friday, respectively. On Sunday, the senior squad fell 10-9 to the Centennials. While weather kept the Oilers away from the field for some of last week, they are very pleased when they get to go there.
“We have a great group of guys,” veteran player Keifer Johnston said. “This always makes it enjoyable to head to the diamond.”
The Virden team (5-3, as of Monday) was slated to take on the Rivers Comets on the road on Tuesday after the Empire-Advance deadline. (UPDATE: Rivers Comets 8, Virden Oilers 1)
Last Sunday the host Centennials had built up a 6-1 lead by the fifth inning. However, the Oilers would not go away quietly. They got two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Boissevain got one back in the bottom of the fame to make it 7-3. With six runs in the top of the seventh inning, Virden led 9-7. The Centennials were able to slip by the visitors with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. With the win, Boissevain improved to a SWBL-best 9-2, as of Monday.
Tanner Lewis, Brady Potter and Riley Hole each drove in two runs for Virden. Curtis Plett, Johnston and Leif Wilson all threw for the Oilers. Virden product Zane Sawyer got the start for Boissevain while Elkhorn’s Tyler Wood earned the win in relief.
Reston Rockets
The Rockets went 0-3 last week with two one-run contests. They were 1-8 on the season entering this week. The squad was to host the Oak River Dodgers on Tuesday after the paper’s deadline.
Last Sunday, the host Rockets scored twice in the fourth inning to knot their contest with Wawanesa at 2-2. Neither team would score again until the Brewers pushed two runs across in the eighth to win the extra-inning affair 4-2. Billy Patmore drove in both of Reston’s runs. Rockets pitcher John Patmore struck out 10 while allowing seven hits in eight innings of work.
On June 23, neither the Rockets nor the visiting Deloraine Royals scored until the seventh inning. Deloraine posted six runs in the top of the frame. Reston tried to come back. The Rockets fell one short of tying the contest with a 6-5 loss. Reston starter Cody Bertholet fanned 12. John Patmore took the loss in relief while Billy Patmore drove in two runs.
The Rivers Comets scored five runs in the fourth frame on June 21. The host Rockets answered with four in the fifth but could not tie things up. Rivers prevailed 5-4. Brady Frattinger had two RBIs.
