After a dramatic, come-from-behind walk-off victory over the Lethbridge Bulls Friday, the Sylvan Lake Gulls stumbled over the weekend.
Saturday, the Gulls were shutout 1-0 by the Bulls and Sunday, Lethbridge earned a 12-7 win at Gulls Stadium.
The losses drop the Gulls to 8-6 as they head out on a five-game road swing through Saskatchewan.
In the pitcher’s duel Saturday, both teams combined for just seven hits.
Gulls pitcher Steven Hospital threw seven innings of one-hit ball, with seven strikeouts and just one walk. The only blemish on his record was an RBI fielder’s choice by Roger Riley in the third. Ryun Cross pitched the final two innings for the Gulls and had four strikeouts.
Max Benton also went seven for the Bulls and allowed just three hits while striking out six.
In the series finale of the three-game set Sunday, the Bulls put up five runs in the fourth and four more in the seventh on the way to the victory.
The Gulls cut the deficit to 8-7 in the sixth before Lethbridge put the game away with the outburst in the top of the seventh.
Despite the loss, designated hitter Tyler McWillie had a massive day at the play for the Gulls. McWillie smashed a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth. He also had a double and a single in the contest.
Kaden Zarowny, Kyle Froelich and Ethan He also cashed in RBI in the win.
Cooper Johnson allowed two runs over three innings of work and the Gulls relief core struggled, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs.
Brad Goodwin earned the win in relief for Lethbridge and Hunter Porter registered a three-inning save.
Riley did some of the damage for the visitors, with four hits and two RBI. Noah Rodriguez had two hits and four RBI to lead the way offensively. Kyle Turner and Nick Gravel each pitched in two hits and an RBI for Lethbridge.
The Gulls will return home on June 22 for a date with the Edmonton Prospects.