Giants have Sultans number early in MJBL season
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If there is to be a re-match of last year’s Manitoba Junior Baseball League finals, the Elmwood Giants look to have a decisive edge over the Carillon Sultans this season.
In the teams’ two meetings so far this season, including June 14 at the league’s showcase event, Elmwood has a pair of blowout victories. Those losses (9-1, 12-1) represent two of Carillon’s three defeats this season.
Manager Rick Penner said the Sultans have just fell behind early and tried too hard to chase in both games.
“I think that we haven’t been able to scrap in some runs when we need to,” Penner said.
“We’ve got to play a little smarter and cash guys in. We’ve had chances, we just haven’t been able to knock them in early in the game… We’re trying to be too perfect and it’s not working. We’ve just got to get in front on the mound and also the plate.”
The Sultans are two games back of the Giants in the MJBL standings.
The showcase had been scheduled to take place in Blue Cross Park, but needed to be moved. Carillon stepped up to host, as all seven teams were in action across four games at A.D. Penner Park in Steinbach. The Sultans even held a 50/50 draw to help fundraise for their upcoming nationals trip.
“Overall, I thought it was a good day,” Penner said.
“The weather was good… We ran some music and called the game. It made for a nice atmosphere that we don’t always get. It was fun to host.”
The Sultans were able to bounce back with a 8-6 win over the Pembina Valley Orioles June 16 at A.D. Penner, with a complete game on the mound from Tyler Plett.
“It’s a little tough to play on a Monday right off the hop,” Penner said.
“They were just steady. We got good pitching, we were not chasing from behind like we were the last couple games. That just helps the defense settle in… We just stayed patient, got our chances and then manufactured some runs.”
The key to victory came on the base paths, with Carillon runners showing great instincts to take an extra base, whether it be advancing from first to third on a single, or stretching a single into a double.
That extra 90 feet oftentimes paid off in players crossing home plate later in the inning.
“That’s just our veteran ball players, paying attention to what’s out there, seeing where the throw is coming and knowing they’ll get that chance,” Penner said.
“That experience made a difference right there.”
The off the field fundraising efforts for the Sultans will continue this weekend, as the team hosts a social in Ile des Chenes June 20. Tickets, both for the event and of the support variety, are available online at carillon-junior-sultans.square.site.