Pride go 1-1 as high school baseball season continues

By Garrett Simmons

Sunny South News

The Kate Andrews Pride high school baseball went 1-1 in a pair of contests last week during a busy stretch of the season.

Last Tuesday, Coaldale made the trek to Medicine Hat to take on Eagle Butte and emerged with a big 13-5 victory. Conner Wittebolle picked up his second win, as he threw four innings of one-run baseball.

“At the end of this game, we were just happy with the final score and that we came out on top,” said Pride head coach Daniel Griffith.

After a practice day on Wednesday, Kate Andrews hit the field Friday for a game against a tough opponent in Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.

“Although we didn’t get the win, it was a tough back-and-forth battle that ended up in LCI’s favour,” said the coach, whose team fell 7-6, despite one huge offensive inning. “In the bottom of the sixth we were able to put up a five spot with a two-out rally to take the lead, but some nerves caught us, and we gave them four back in the top of the seventh.”

Kate Andrews did have a chance to tie to score in its half of the seventh but couldn’t cash in a runner from second base.

“Although we lost, we weren’t disappointed and see where we made the mistakes,” said Griffith, who praised the work of his pitchers. “Ethan Honess and Kade Hamilton were both brilliant on the mound and I would be hard pressed to ask much more from either of them.”

Kate Andrews was back to practice on Monday to prepare for a Wednesday game versus Chinook High School.

It has been a solid start to the 2023 season, due to the fact Kate Andrews has got production out of its key contributors.

“So far, I have been impressed by the players who I knew could do the job when we started out, but also by a few younger players with some talent,” said Griffith. “Gage Lyckman was injured in his Grade 9 year, so for his grade 10 rookie year, he is making some plays and putting the bat on ball. I knew Kade Hamilton could play, but he has really impressed me. He is my first choice at second and has led off the last two games and did well on the mound versus LCI in a relief effort.”

The coach added there are a few areas where his squad needs to pick up its game in order to have even more success.

“We need to clean it up a little and take care of the ball on defense. On offense, I want my hitters getting in the box with a ‘win the battle’ mindset and not all of the players are there yet. It’s early after only four games, but it’s a very short season.”

Wednesday’s game against Chinook is set for 6 p.m. at Lloyd Nolan Yard. Kate Andrews will then take on Medicine Hat High School on May 25.

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