Elkhorn’s Bowles brothers are not just impact players on the ice.
Older brother Jason and twins Shawn and Bradley are also keys on the diamond for the Elkhorn Expos. The team is off to a 1-1 start this South West Baseball League season as of May 27.
“Playing with the Expos alongside my brothers has been great,” Bradley said. “We only joined the league about four years ago and we’ve all had a lot of fun playing together since then. It’s always nice to take a break from hockey and come home to play baseball with your brothers and friends.”
The Expos fell 15-1 at home to the Virden Oilers in the season opener for both clubs. Elkhorn rebounded on May 27 to win 6-5 on the road in Wawanesa.
Trailing 4-1 in the top of sixth inning, the Expos scored five runs to take the lead and hang on for the victory. In the crucial sixth frame, Mike Stevenson doubled in three runs and Jordan Mitchell’s two-bagger brought in two more.
The Expos host Reston on Friday and the Hartney Hoppers on Sunday.
Oilers
The Oilers won their first two games of the season.
Jordan Cullum drove in three runs and Jeff Peel and Brady Potter each had two RBIs, according to the league’s stats, in the May 23 win over the Expos. Peel also picked up the victory on the mound. He allowed three hits and struck out eight in five innings of work.
On May 25, Virden led 2-0 in the second inning and 3-0 in the third in Reston. The Oilers held on for a 3-2 victory. Tanner Lewis batted in two runs. Curtis Plett allowed two runs on 10 hits for the Oilers.
The Virden squad was scheduled to play in Hamiota on May 30, after press deadline.
Double header
The Oilers host Souris at 1 p.m. on Sunday and Wawanesa at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, the Reston Rockets will visit.
After starring for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Jason Bowles played for New York state-based Manhattanville College at the NCAA Division III level before returning to his hometown. He is the Expos’ catcher.
“Jason’s strengths would be he can control the game from behind the plate,” said Stevenson, Elkhorn’s player/organizer. “He can make plays happen and has a calm manner in doing so.”
His younger brothers, Shawn and Bradley, won two MJHL titles and a Royal Bank Cup national championship with Portage. Both have played for the University of Manitoba.
The duo, whose sisters Sherri and Candace also played higher-level hockey, are pitchers and infielders for the Expos.
“Shawn and Bradley’s strengths would be they are both very competitive and driven,” Stevenson said. “They are quick and can see the ball real well.”
