Giants take three of four from Bombers
This past weekend saw the Fort McMurray Giants begin to click on all cylinders take three of four from the Brooks Bombers at Legacy Dodge Field. The Giants put together a five game winning streak after sweeping the Weyburn Beavers then taking the first three games against the Bombers before dropping the finale in a wild one.
The first game of the four game series took place on Saturday for the Giants inaugural Hockey Night in Fort McMurray, the Giants dawned the Oil Baron's sweaters in pre-game as well as fan enjoying hockey themed evening including a spot on "5th Intermission" Interview. In this one, the Giants waited until the third period to do damage utilizing a strong start by Matt Sargeant to hold the Bombers at bay long enough to strike. The Giants scored nine runs in the final four frames of the game to secure a 10-5 victory. The offense saw many contributors, including five Giants with 2 hits. But, the standout was "5th Intermission Interviewee and eventual Atlas Workwear Player of the Game, Mack Mitchell who went 3-for-3, with three runs scored, a triple, two runs batted in and added two walks to his massive day.
On Sunday, Canada Day Eve, the Giants did not waste any time getting on the board. Taking a stranglehold of the game early leading to 10-4 victory. Fort Mac jumped on the Bombers in the first inning scoring four times in quick succession, a Peyton McDowall RBI double scored Junho Son, the next pitch Cruz Oxford hit a RBI double of his own scoring McDowall, one pitch later, Mack Mitchell then hit an opposite field two-run home run to put an exclamation mark on the first inning. In the fifth, the Giants tack on three more runs via an RBI single by Manny Alberto and a two RBI double by Bryce Nevils to extend the lead and seal the game for the Giants. Right-handed pitcher, Jakob Brandenberger picked up the win going five innings, allowing only one earned run while striking out four Bombers hitters. Finishing the game on the mound was Trevor Syer and Maxx Davidson who combined to not allow a hit while striking out three batters.
Just like that the Giants were on to Canada Day riding a four game winning streak. Just like a baseball game on a hot Canada Day night, the Giants put together a classic Fort McMurray game. Utilizing another strong start from Left-Handed Pitcher Matt Whitney who tossed seven innings in this one allowing only a single run while striking out six Bombers hitters. On the offensive side, Fort Mac put together thirteen hits lead in part by returnee Gage Ninness' three hit game while adding a run scored and a run batted in. Adding to Ninness was three fellow Giants collecting two hits a piece, in Junho Son, Jaden Wiley and Jayden Shafer who all contributed to the winning effort.
The finale of the series was a wild one that featured a lightning delay that lead to a light delay before the game finished well after midnight. This one saw the teams trade big innings back and forth throughout the night starting with Brook putting a four spot on the board in the second inning jump starting the game. Over the third and fourth innings, the Giants battled back to make it a one run game before the lightning and rain hit. After two hours, the game resumed to a Brooks rally which turned the lights off after an RBI triple to extend the Bombers lead. The light delay took over twenty minutes to solve as the Giants and Bombers awaited the final few outs of the game. In the end, the Giants lost their winning streak but finished the week with a very impressive record.
On the week, the Giants finished 5-1 and making strong strides towards their upcoming road trip to Sylvan Lake and Edmonton before returning home again the following week. Stay tuned to @FortMacGiants on all social media platforms to keep up-to-date on all current Giants updates!