Beavers pitcher, Kelly Baillargeon and catcher, Andrew Hudec. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Thursday night Showdown

Beavers & Sox to reignite rivalry in North Battleford

Jun 15, 2023 | 4:08 PM

For the first time in two years, the lights of Beaver Lions Stadium will be shining bright for a Highway 4 rivalry game between the North Battleford Beavers and Meadow Lake Sox.

Two perennial heavyweights in the North Sask. River Baseball League, the start of the 2023 ball season has proven more of the same, as both teams enter play Thursday red-hot.

The Sox sit atop the league standings with a perfect 6-0 record, facing off against a Beavers’ club who have really hit their stride of late. North Battleford (3-2-1) are coming off back-to-back wins, having topped their opponents by a combined 26-3 margin over their last two games.

“We’ve had a couple of good games back-to-back here and I think the momentum has really started to build,” player/manager with the Beavers, Kyle Gregoire said. “We had a bit of a sloppy start in a few of our games, but our pitching and bats are really starting to go strong now.”

“There’s nothing better than Meadow Lake coming to town on a Thursday evening. We’re excited for tonight and hoping to put on a good show.” – Kyle Gregoire

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The Beavers will also be looking to avenge a 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Sox back in their season opener in Meadow Lake, May 25.

Through their first six games, the Sox have not only beaten each team they’ve faced, but much like the Beavers, have been especially hot on the bats of late. Meadow Lake has outscored their last two opponents by a combined 34-15 count.

Veteran pitcher and infielder with the Sox, Craig Weran said heading into Thursday’s matchup, Meadow Lake will need more of what they’ve seen all season, with different players stepping up on each given night.

“We’re getting contributions from guys we might not have expected that level of contribution from, and we’ve got a couple of young guys, 15 and 17-year-olds who are playing and contributing as well,” Weran said. “Between getting offense throughout the lineup and our starting pitching which has been really good, that’s been a pretty good combination.”

“We expect a good matchup tonight. North Battleford is a good team and have always been a good team, so it should be a good game.” – Craig Weran

Team leaders heading into play:

Hits: Gavin Nolin (NB Beavers) 13; Brett Esau (ML Sox) 5

Runs: Gavin Nolin (NB Beavers) 8; Hunter Schwartz (ML Sox) 4

Batting average: Kyle Palmer (NB Beavers) .714; Heather Healy (ML Sox) 1.00

Pitching Strikeouts: Jared Schmidt (NB Beavers) 9; Quincy Winkler (ML Sox) 9

Thursday’s game will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Beaver Lions Stadium (located next to the Access Communications Centre rink) in North Battleford.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1