Riggers 11 Cubs 10
It was a long time coming for Red Deer Riggers second baseman Denver Wik.
He hadn’t hit a home run in two seasons, but in the fifth he was given a golden opportunity. Derek Chapman and Shayne Courte drew walks in front of Wik and with two on, the Innisfail native stepped to the plate.
“It felt good,” said Wik. “He left it up and in and I just drove it.”
The three run shot was part of the Riggers 11-10 win over the Confederation Cubs Tuesday at Great Chief Park.
“It was cold, it was windy, we had some rain,” said Chatwood. “We had to grind that one out. Everybody played a part and we had some big hits when we needed them and big plays and some big pitching when we needed it.”
The win follows a 13-0 over the Parkland White Sox at a tournament in Spruce Grove. That was the only game they would get in, as the rest were rained out. The Riggers have yet to lose this season and now sport a 6-0 record.
Wik was one of three Riggers batters to send the ball out of the park as player-manager shortstop Jason Chatwood and third baseman J.P. Wilner also hit home runs. Wilner’s came in the first inning with one runner on base while Chatwood hit his two-run blast in the fourth.
Wik went two-for-three on the night with a single to go with the home run, a walk and four RBIs.
The Riggers combined for 11 runs on 12 hits. But nipping at their heels throughout the game were the Cubs, who kept it close with 10 runs on 15 hits. But the fifth inning is when it all fell apart for the Cubs. Four walks in the inning put the two runs Wik drove in on and left more on base to threaten.
The winning Riggers run came an inning later as Kerry Boon scored on a Derek Chapman single. Boon finished the game going three-for-four at the plate with a double and driving in 2 runs.
Down 11-7 in the eighth inning, the Cubs rallied to pull to within a run as two runners scored on wild pitches and a third on a fielders choice.
The Riggers got out of the inning with a one-run lead and turned the ball over to Joel Peterman to pick up the save. He settled in right away and retired the side, picking up the save.
“He got ahead and pounded the zone,” said Chatwood. “He was efficient with his pitches and when you’re standing out there in the rain, that’s what you want.
“It was a big team win.”
A doubleheader is on tap for the Riggers as they attempt to make up games that were rained out. They will face the Cubs on Sunday starting at 3:30 p.m. at Great Chief Park.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com