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SWBL: Wright, Comets shut out Rockets

By Robin Wark

Neither rain nor the Reston Rockets could stop Nolan Wright and the Rivers Comets last week. In a wet June 23 game, the Comets beat their South West Baseball League foe 6-0. On the mound, Wright struck out eight and allowed only four hits in a complete-game shutout. He also led the team with two runs batted in.

“Nolan came out and threw lots of strikes,” Rivers player-organizer Scott Beever said. “He battled some weather, but didn't let it bother him. The guys played well, manufactured runs and played solid defence. Really impressed by the way we came out and played on a bit of a drizzly night and managed to pull out a win.”

The victory improved the Comets’ record to 8-4-0. Entering this week, the team sat second in the SWBL North Division. The top four teams make the playoffs.

The Comets wrap up their regular season this week. They played at the Oak River Dodgers on June 30 after the Banner deadline. Rivers hosts the Hamiota Red Sox on July 3 and the Virden Oilers on July 5.

Oak River Dodgers - with two victories last week, the Dodgers topped the SWBL North Division with a 10-3-0 record.

After the Comets contest on June 30, Oak River hosts the Brandon Young Guns on July 3 to finish the regular season.

On June 25 in Reston, the Dodgers scored three runs in the third inning and two in the fourth on the way to a 5-2 victory over the Rockets. Mitch Battersby batted in two runs for the Dodgers, while Ty Paddock went three-for-four. Pitcher Dylan Schroeder struck out nine and allowed six hits over seven innings.

Veteran hurler Anthony Friesen and the Dodgers’ defence shut out the Brandon Young Guns on June 26. Friesen struck out four and allowed only two hits. Battersby drove in two runs.

Hamiota Red Sox

The Hamiota Red Sox are battling for an SWBL postseason berth. As of June 28, the team sat fifth in the North Division with a 5-8-0 record. Reston was one spot ahead at 6-8-0.

The Red Sox play in Rivers on July 3 and host the Young Guns on July 5.

On June 24, Hamiota fell 6-2 on the road to the Young Guns. Chael Rozdeba had two hits for Hamiota. Red Sox pitcher Carter Loewen struck out seven.

On June 25, Hamiota lost 6-4 to the visiting Brandon Cardinals.