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Stags edge Redbirds

The weatherman hasn’t helped the Red Deer Stags get into any kind of a groove this season, but that hasn’t affected their bats.
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Red Deer Stag Josh Edwards pitches during the Stags 11-10 win over the Calgary Redbirds Thursday night at Great Chief Park.

Stags 11 Redbirds 10

The weatherman hasn’t helped the Red Deer Stags get into any kind of a groove this season, but that hasn’t affected their bats.

The Stags collected 11 hits while squeezing out an 11-10 victory over the Calgary Redbirds in Sunburst Baseball League play at Great Chief Park Thursday.

“The one thing we haven’t had a problem with this season is scoring runs,” said Stags co-manager Shaun Connor. “The thing we need is to cut down on the walks and get the shut down pitching.”

The Stags and Redbirds took turns on the offence as they both scored once in the first and three times in the second. The Calgary squad added three runs in the top of the fourth, gave up two in the bottom of the frame, then grabbed a 10-6 lead in the top of the sixth against the third Red Deer pitcher — Ryan Carr. However, the Stags stormed back with five runs in the bottom of the frame to earn Carr the victory and Davin Gulbransen shut the door over the final three innings for the save.

“We haven’t played for a while, but it was a matter of trying extra hard and focusing,” added Connor. “It was good to see us continually come back when they got ahead.”

Connor played a major role in the offence, finishing with three singles while Dan Zinger had a single, a double, which drove in the winning run, and a walk.

Byron Whitford had a single and two walks, Jason Fraser a single and a double and Kevin Curran three walks.

Josh Edwards started on the mound and allowed an first inning unearned run with Travis Guynup working the second, allowing three runs. Carr went four innings.

The game was the final regular scheduled affair of the season for the Stags, who have a number of games postponed by the weather.

“But you knows if we’ll have time to get them in before the playoffs,” said Connor. “The main thing is we have the Calgary tournament this weekend and the Riggers tournament the following week, so that’s what we’ll concentrate on and use to prepare for the provincials.”