RIVERS
BANNER July 15, 2016
ersary v i n Celebrating our 108th An
Gazette-Reporter Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 107 years
Volume 109, Issue 3
89¢ + tax
corner By Justin Froese It was a truly monumental week for Rivers Comets Baseball Club as the goal of playing on home soil was finally realized! An estimated 350-450 people packed the beer gardens and perimeter of our Comets field on the night of Rivers fair (July 6) to take in the first senior baseball action our community has seen in nearly 30 years. Unfortunately, a masterful pitching effort from Ryan Shaw and true home field advantage was not enough to get a Comets win, as Brandon Marlins spoiled the party with a 1-0 score. Shaw pitched seven innings of one hit ball, while striking out 11 and walking three. The run he allowed was unearned. At the plate Shaw also added a pair of singles for the home squad who out-hit the Marlins, but just couldn’t capitalize with runners in scoring position. Looking to build off Wednesday’s close game, Comets engaged in a wild affair on Friday night (July 8) against Canadian Tire Cardinals. With Comets trailing by a score of 3-2 in the sixth inning, a Cardinals’ baserunner charged the Rivers catcher on an unforced play, resulting in a bench clearing altercation. Due to a rule implemented that indicates players must slide into home plate, the Cardinals’ baserunner was ejected from the game. Comets were given the win by default, due to Cardinals not having enough players on their bench to substitute for the ejected player, disabling them from continuing the game. Buddy Mayert pitched for Rivers, striking out one and allowing three runs, one earned, in five innings of work. Jody Anderson and Mike McFadden each had RBI singles for Rivers in the first inning of the game. Comets capped a three-game home stand on Sunday, July 10 with a tough match up against
Photos by Sheila Runions
Ryan Shaw slides into home; after a tangle with Brandon Marlins catcher, the umpire called him out, which is plainly evidenced in the first picture.
Joe Beeverz Young Guns. Dana McNish gave the Comets four solid innings in his first start of the year, helping lift the team to a 6-2 victory. McNish allowed only two hits and two runs while striking out one. Mike McFadden picked up the save with three innings of scoreless relief. McFadden also went two for three at the plate with a single, a double and a run scored. His elder brother Alastair also added a two RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to provide insurance. The end of the week leaves Comets with a record of 6-3-2
as they chase down top spot in the Brandon Senior AA Baseball League with a few games in hand with Cardinals and Marlins. Comets had a game scheduled for July 12 but Mother Nature once again left the field too wet to be playable. This was to be our last game before teams take a week break for the senior AA all-star provincials in Stonewall July 15-17. Comets resume their schedule Tuesday, July 19 against Brandon Cubs at Comets field in Rivers before heading back to Brandon on Thursday, July 21 to
take on the Marlins at Andrews Field. 7 p.m. is opening pitch for all games listed and admission in Rivers is free; we’d love to see you supporting us again. Special congratulations to 50/50 winners Stephanie Hinrichs ($409) who won the consolidated jackpot from Wednesday’s and Friday’s games, as well as Don McFadden ($155) who went home a rich man at Sunday’s contest. A shout out to our Comets players who were selected to take part in the provincials at Stonewall: Mike McFadden, Buddy Mayert, Kyle
Kostesky, Darren Whelpton and Ryan Shaw will be playing for the Brandon Senior AA all-star team, which will also be coached by Rivers manager Aaron Tycoles. For more up-to-date Comets information please follow us on Facebook, Rivers Comets Baseball Club or on Twitter @ riverscomets. A huge bouquet to everyone for making this past week a truly special one for the players, families and the community of Rivers. See you all out at the ball park!