The Red Deer Riggers didn’t need more than catcher Kerry Boon’s three run double in the first inning, but they drove in six more runs on their way to a 9-0 shutout win over the Confederation Park Cubs.
In the middle of the busiest baseball week shortstop/manager Jason Chatwood can recall, the Riggers improved their season record to 14-1 with the win. The game on Tuesday at Great Chief Park was the second of three games in three nights for the team.
Then on Friday, the Riggers will host their 36th annual tournament.
But on Tuesday, they struck early and often in the 7-inning makeup game, played due to weather delays earlier in the season.
For Boon, it was a rare opportunity to play catcher as he typically enters the lineup as the designated hitter.
“It’s been a couple of years,” said Boon. “We’ll be missing a few guys on Friday so I had to step up and patrol the role of catcher. We’re busy all week and everyone needs to step into their roles.”
He went two-for-three with a double and four RBIs on the night. He came up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the first inning with a plan for his first plate appearance of the night.
“He was a young pitcher and he threw a curve ball first pitch at Jaret (Chatwood, third baseman) and I went up there looking for the curve ball,” said Boon, who got his curve ball and hit it the other way.
The double opened the game up for the Riggers and they kept on rolling, scoring four runs in the second and two more in the fourth.
And as the offence drove in their runs, starting pitcher Josh Edwards did what he could to close the door. Edwards pitched five innings of shutout ball and struck out six, walking one and surrendering five hits.
Davin Gulbransen and Tyler Vavra came in to pitch the last two innings and held the Cubs off the scoreboard.
“We have a busy week ahead of us and it’s nice to get everyone in the game and give guys breaks when we need to,” said Jason Chatwood, much of the regular lineup was pulled after the fifth inning to give them a break.
“Especially Kerry stepping up and giving Jaret a break, it’s a long week for a catcher. He stepped up and played really well.”
Tonight, the Riggers are on the road against the Sherwood Park Athletics. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Then on Friday, the Riggers kick off their annual tournament with a game at 7 p.m. against the Calgary Cardinals. They play again on Saturday against the Cubs before the tournament moves into the playoff portion. All of the tournament games will be held at Great Chief Park. The tournament runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday.