News

Heisler - 3

Rosalind - 2

Story and stats to come...

For the third year in a row, the Rosalind Athletics would be meeting the Heisler Cardinals in the championship final of the Battle River Baseball League.   These two teams have been in the finals of the Alberta AA Provincial final 3 of the last 4 years, displaying the quality of talent in small town Alberta. Especially in the last 3 or 4 years, a healthy rivalry and mutual respect has developed between the A’s and Cardinals, much like the Yankees and Red Sox.

A sold out crowd, approximately 150 people, from Rosalind and Heisler area saw A’s pitcher Dan Enright get the start versus Nolan Miller for the Cards. Both pitchers have a solid arsenal, and have proven over the season to be more than capable of a game one finals start. However, both pitchers ended up getting knocked out early, after a multiple hits and a few walks. Rosalind led 5-4 after the bottom of the 3^rd, with both teams going to their bullpens. Brayden Benson followed Enright, and went 2 1/3 allowing 3 runs in the relief appearance. Ryan Yuha closed out the game for the A’s, only allowing 2 runs the rest of the way. Overall, there were only a few pitches that the pitching staff would want back, compared to the homerun Cody Wolbeck hit out of the park, you have to tip your cap too.

Offensively, the Athletics were hot and cold for periods of the game. The third inning, in which Rosalind scored all their runs, the A’s batted around taking a 5-4 lead after a hot start by the Cardinals. However, from there on out, missed opportunities and multiple runners left in scoring position haunted the Athletics offence. Mark Gjesdal had the hot bat for the A’s, going 3 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. Tyrel Herder, Sheldon Pederson and Nic Ronsko contributed 2 hits each, while Kevin McDonald supplied a clutch 2 RBI double in the 3^rd.

TSN could have had cameras rolling, as both teams many “Web Gem” highlight reel defensive plays that had the fans clapping and honking their horns. Mark Gjesdal and Tyrel Herder made diving catches in full flight. Devan Herder threw out a Rosalind runner at home in an attempted sacrifice fly. Obviously, fans can continue to be guaranteed high quality and exciting baseball from these Battle River teams for many years to come.

Injuries definitely played a roll in the outcome of the game for the Athletics, as Steve Enright pulled his hamstring running down to first on a ground ball in the first inning. Clayton Harbak continues to nurse a quadricep injury. The A’s were lucky to get Ryan Yuha back, after injuring his ankle on the final game of the regular season. As well, both Adam Enright and Josh Burnstad were also absent for the first game of the finals as well.

Ryan Yuha shared his thoughts on the game and the rest of the series, “There’s a lot of respect and competitive rivalry between these two teams. Wins rarely come easy, and tonight was no different. Heisler was able to capitalize more often than us, and when it comes right down to it, that’s why they won. Both teams know they need to play solid baseball every time we play each other and the rest of the series will be no different. Our games are always fun and intense because of that.”

Make sure you come out to Heisler on Thursday at 6:30, as the Athletics battle to bring the series back to Rosalind for a game 3! Tyrel Herder gets the start for the A’s in the elimination game.  "No excuses, we will be ready!"

The semifinals of the Athletics and Lakers series shifted to Spring Lake on Thursday night. It was a beautiful night in east central Alberta, as all of Spring Lake and Rosalind royalty were out to take in a good ol’ fashioned baseball game. The A’s were looking to close out the Lakers, and send themselves to the Battle River League finals for the fifth year in a row.

Steve Enright took to the mound for the Athletics, trying to eliminate the Lakers in the second round. The veteran pitcher was in fine form, looking like a young Greg Maddux, painting master pieces on the black with his fastball and curveball; even lighting up the radar gun with a high hard one to Eric Zimmer, just to keep the Spring Lake batters honest. Steve was able to induce many roll over ground balls and lazy pop flies through 6 innings, even while being squeezed on a few tight pitches. The seventh inning seemed to get away, as Spring Lake scattered multiple seeing eye singles, but Enright was able to close the door to secure the victory.

The A’s had the bats swinging all the way up and down the order, especially in the late stages of the game. Sheldon Pederson singled home the only run for the first four innings, as the game a tight battle 1-0 until the top of the fifth. Doubles by Nic Ronsko, Mark Gjesdal, Nathan Pederson, and Brayden Benson in the final two innings broke open the flood gates. Benson’s two out hit, and subsequent error by the Spring Lake left fielder, gave Rosalind a bit of a cushion in the 7^th inning. Matt Enright tried to roll back the clock to his ‘pre-hamstring injury’ days, taking off like a bullet from first base in his first attempted stolen base of the season. Matt was narrowly out by ten feet, but like manager Harbak pointed out recently, it’s always good to change it up and keep the defence guessing.

Shortstop Adam Enright commented on the game, “It’s nice to finish off a series, and not have to play at game 3 where anything can happen. Overall, it was a well-played game and we pounced on a couple of uncharacteristic errors by Spring Lake. We have one more series to go, and we know it will be a tough test. Hopefully we can keep the bats rolling into the final.”

The Heisler Cardinals also went on to sweep the Killam Braves in the other semifinal, so the championship teams have been set. Much like the Yankees and Red Sox, the rivalry between the Athletics and the Cardinals has reached legendary heights, resulting in exciting and intense games. Many fans this year will recall the 1-0 game that Rosalind beat Heisler in the finals of the Spring Lake tournament, which had many saying it was one of the best live baseball games they had seen in a long time.

The second round of the Battle River Baseball League play-offs kicked off with Rosalind taking on their neighbouring rivals, the Spring Lake Lakers. This match up dates back to the 1940's, so to say the two contestants are battle tested is an understatement. Spring Lake defeated Coronation in 3 games, while Rosalind swept Amisk in the first round.

The Athletics would send their pitching staff ace, Tyrel Herder to the mound, while Spring Lake could counter with their own number one starter, Lance Zimmer. Tyrel battled through 5 innings, as Spring Lake sprinkled 8 hits and drew 3 walks on their way to 5 runs off Herder. There weren't many hard hit balls off of Herder, but they found holes in the vaunted A's defence; requiring Herder to work out of jams in the 3rd and 5th innings. Dan Enright was summoned with one out in the 5th inning, and although he walked in a run, he shut the door stranding 3 Spring Lake base runners. Ultimately, Spring Lake's plate coverage and discipline kept the pressure on the A's the whole game.

Offensively, the A's got a huge shot in the arm and the scorebook from a 2 run blast from Nic Ronsko. Ronsko barely missed another home run on his next at bat, just getting it off the handle. Recently multiple teammates and fans have raved and commented on the impressive ball player that Ronsko has developed into. Adam Enright continued his hot streak, going 3 for 4 at the plate with an RBI. Steve Enright contributed a single and double in a 2 for 4 performance, with the important go-ahead RBI. Sheldon Pederson went 2 for 2, unfortunately more memorable was his base running mistake, much to the chagrin of teammates and fans. With regards to the over aggressive base running, Pederson added, "My bad. That ones on me. Someone make sure Reg Enright knows it won't happen again, haha. Good thing we won, that's for sure."

Homerun hitter, Nic Ronsko, shared his thoughts on the game, "For anyone who says home field advantage doesn't matter in the BRBL, doesn't know what their talking about.  The fans in Rosalind are great, their support  is what propelled us to victory tonight.  That and my bomb."

In the end, Rosalind held on to win a scrappy affair, 7-5. It was an eventful and exciting game to be put in the history books in the Spring Lake vs. Rosalind chapter. It's a quick turnaround, as game two goes Thursday in Spring Lake at 6:30pm. The A's are still nursing a few key injuries to Clayton Harbak and Ryan Yuha, so the Athletics will be eager to take advantage of the elimination game. Be sure to follow the A's twitter account (@RosalindSports) and RosalindAthletics.com for updates.

Rosalind entered the A final of the Castor tournament as the 4 time champions, looking to make it 5 in a row from 2009 to 2013. The A’s were also looking for redemption against Coronation, after falling to the Cardinals in league play during the season, in a game that can only be described as ‘forgettable’. Needless to say, Rosalind brought a bit might more focus and intensity, resulting in an enjoyable ‘A’ final to play with plenty of excitement for the spectators and fans.

For the 2^nd time this week, rookie Brayden Benson took the hill for the A’s and threw another absolute gem for the Rosalind squad. The young right hander had 5 strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter, only giving up 4 hits to a solid swinging Coronation squad. Brayden did a great job of pounding the bottom part of the strike zone, inducing 85% ground balls that the A’s infield gobbled up. Benson also made the highlight of the night, with a Robinson Cano style play, flipping the ball straight from his glove on a ball hit weakly up the first base line.

Offensively, Tyrel Herder put a couple of runs on the board, with a bloop over the Castor Widow in right field. Oddly enough, at the plate Sheldon Pederson didn’t look complete over matched, almost boarding on adequate, while going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s and a sac fly. Shortstop Adam Enright continued to swing a hot bat, going 2 for 4. Nic Ronsko, feeling under the weather despite not taking in the AC/DC tribute band at the Beaver Dome, crushed the ball by way of a double and a single.

Defensively, Mark Gjesdal looked incredibly comfortable at third base, throwing a bullet to catcher Sheldon Pederson to gun out a runner at home. Mike Hilhorst, making a return to the lineup after a few weeks away, made two solid scoops at first base. First, after Gjesdal was able to double up a runner after snaring a line drive, and another on a bunt up the first base line that Pederson rushed to throw at the feet of Hilhorst. Recent call up, Brad Engel, showed a lot of hustle and speed laying out for a couple foul balls.

Both teams played really well, limiting walks and errors, and playing tremendous defence. Rosalind held a 3-2 lead going into the 5^th inning, after Benson was able to pitch out of the rare jams he found himself in, shutting down the rally the Cardinals had going in the first and fifth innings. The A’s went on the win 6-2, and improve to 20-3 on the year.

Manager for the weekend, Clayton Harbak, had this to say about his squad and his managerial debut, “It's hard to bench players when you only have a roster of 9 for the weekend.  Card shark, Nic Ronsko, and his wild six beer night and late night antics should ahve kept him out of the line up.” Harbak was resting a recent quad injury, hoping to be able to make a return sometime during the second round of BRBL playoffs.

The A’s are back in action on Tuesday in Rosalind to kick off game one of the semifinals versus Spring Lake. Note the early start time of 6:30pm!

Rosalind - 4

Heisler - 0

Story and stats to follow

Rosalind - 11

Killam - 0

5 innings

Story to follow

Game two of the Battle River Baseball League playoffs took the Athletics of Rosalind out to the picturesque ball park of Shornecliff Lake to take on the Amisk Astros. After scoring 15 runs in the first two innings of game one, the Astros were able to shut down the A’s offence, so game 2 had the makings of being a tight ball game.

Young rookie, Brayden Benson, took the mound in an effort to sweep the Astros. Benson has pitched very well for the A’s this season, sporting a 3.05 ERA over his 23 innings pitched this year. Utilizing his change-up and slider, Benson kept the eager-to-swing Astros at Bay, only giving up 3 hits and walking 3 in his complete game shutout. His composure, tenacity and truculence, not only would have made Don Cherry proud, but also allowed Brayden to pitch his way out of a few rare jams that had Amisk threating to score in a tight ball game.

The game remained up for grabs, at 2-0 for Rosalind, up until the top of the 7^th, when the A’s offence took control and put the game out of reach. However, in the 5^th inning, the Astros had the bases loaded and the heart of their order at the plate. A running catch by Tyrel Herder, and a tough pick up for Nic Ronsko at first, allowed Rosalind to escape the inning with the lead. Ronsko has proven to be quite adept at the move to first base; most importantly keeping Adam Enright’s errorless streak at shortstop in tack, with an impressive jumping swipe tag.

Offensively, Clayton Harbak continues to prove why he’s Mr. July. Not because of he’s the cover photo for the upcoming “Rosalind A’s: Boys of Summer” calendar for July 2014. That honor (and the other 11 months) belongs to Nic Ronsko. Clayton is considered Mr. July, more importantly, because he is a legit clutch play-off performer; in the same realm as Derek Jeter in October. Not only is Harb a threat at the plate, but also a force to be reckoned with on the base paths. Turning singles into doubles, taking third when the ball is hit in front of him, and even scoring on a swinging bunt. This 110%, Brett Lawire-like effort, can come at a cost though. As Harbak, might have to be put on the 7 day DL, suffering from some hamstring tightness after sprinting home on the first run of the 7^th inning.

When asked about the game and how long he might be out, Harbak had this to say ”Aggression on the base paths has always been a big part of my game, and the gamble paid off.  Applying pressure on the defence is always a good thing.  These long road trips are always good at building team chemistry.  Its good to see the team rolling as we go on our playoff push.”  As for this weekend, "the hamstring is still pretty sore this moring.  I've been making sure to ice it, but it doesn't look good for Castor."  Which is too bad, always look forward to Harb going oppo, over the spider web in right field.

Rosalind moves on to the second round, where they will play the winner of the Spring Lake-Coronation series. The Lakers were able to tie the series at 1-1 with a 8-4 win on Tuesday. The first game of the series will be on Tuesday, July 16^th in Rosalind at 6:30PM. Note the time change, as the semi-finals and finals start at 6:30PM.