Last season, the Weyburn Beavers had the season end at Mitchell Field in Swift Current, in game five of the Eastern Division final. This year, they started the season in the same place as last year’s closed and came away with a 4-3 win over the 57’s Thursday night.

Cam Williams, who is in his fourth year for the team, got the start on the mound, a departure from his usual spot at third base. He went eight innings in the victory, striking out four while giving up three runs.

Freshman Shandon Herrera pitched in the ninth inning for the save, striking out one.

The Beavers started things off in the first inning when a Corey Harrell double to right field brought home Tyler Scott. The 57’s would respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the first with a fielder’s choice.

Swift Current then took the lead with another fielder’s choice in the second, giving them a 2-1 edge. Weyburn would tie it up in the third, taking advantage of an error by the third baseman. Keaton Greenwalt reached base when the third baseman fumbled the ball. This allowed him to reach second base, and Corey Wheaton, who was on first, rounded all the way home, making it a 2-2 game.

In the sixth inning, Weyburn took the lead. Cory Ewald smacked a double to left field which brought home Greenwalt.

Swift Current tied it up in the bottom of the seventh, as Alex Orenczuk scored thanks to an error by Greenwalt in centrefield, an uncharacteristic mistake for the sophomore from Lubbock Christian.

In the eighth inning, the Beavers would regain their lead. Eric Morales hit a single to third base, and it was enough for Greenwalt to come in from third to give Weyburn the edge.

In the ninth inning, Herrera came on to replace Williams, and retired the side in short order, giving the Beavers their first win of the season.

Weyburn will now prepare for their home opener. They are scheduled to host the Regina Red Sox Friday night, weather permitting. Their next home game is Saturday when the Melville Millionaires are in town.

You can read more from each game throughout the season on the Weyburn Beavers page here on Discover Weyburn.