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Riggers have unfinished business

The Red Deer Riggers put together a solid performance during the 2010 senior baseball season, but they’re looking for an even better finish this season.

The Red Deer Riggers put together a solid performance during the 2010 senior baseball season, but they’re looking for an even better finish this season.

The Riggers won their second straight provincial senior championship last year and competed in the nationals in Dartmouth, N.S.

But after a 3-1 record in pool play the Riggers lost to Fredericton, N.B., in the quarter-finals. That’s something they’d like to improve upon when they return to his year’s nationals in Chatham, N.B.

“For the most part it was a successful season, but there are a few things we can do better,” said Riggers manager Curtis Bailey. “We want to put together a team that’s a close-knit unit and concentrates on our short-term goals and not get caught looking to far down the road. But we do have a solid core of guys returning, who have been through it for a couple of years.”

The Riggers, who open their Sunburst Baseball League schedule tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Great Chief Park against the Red Deer Stags, have at least 14 players back from last season.

They lost left-hander Matt Davis, who is playing in the Western Major Baseball League with Medicine Hat, and outfielder Aaron Graves and infielder Delton Kruk, both of whom retired. As well there’s no word from pitcher Mac Girodat if he’ll return or not.

The Riggers did add Red Deer Carstar Midget AAA Braves grad Mark Fay, who’ll work in the outfield. Fay joins his brothers Matt and Alex on the roster.

As well right-hander Jeff Hall of Calgary, who played with the Riggers in the provincials and nationals, is expected to play in the tournaments and on the weekends.

“He’ll give us more depth on the mound,” said Bailey. “This year we need it as we’ll be playing more games on the weekends and a lot of times three or four in two days.”

While the Riggers lost Davis, who’ll still be on their roster for the provincials and nationals, they have Brett Lazzarotto, James Dykstra, Colin Hodgson and Joel Peterman to handle a lot of the mound duties.

“We expect Colin and Joel to throw more innings this year,” said Bailey, who also won’t have Denver Wik available to pitch.

“He injured his shoulder late last season and won’t be pitching this year.”

Wik moved to second base after the injury and didn’t look out of place.

Wik spent the winter at Minot State University along with Peterman, catcher Jaret Chatwood and outfielder Shayne Court.

Of the four only Chatwood, who batted .314 with 26 RBIs, three home runs and 10 stolen bases at Minot, is still the one away and is expected back in a couple of weeks.

Mark and Alex Fay, Bailey, Court and Jordan Weinkauf will be in the outfield this season with Mike Ronnie, Jason Chatwood and Kerry Boon also in the infield.

While the Sunburst league will have more weekend games, something that doesn’t sit that well with Bailey, he’s happy to see the league add a financial award for the league champion.

“It’s to make the league more competitive,” said Bailey. “You have something to play for every game and especially in the playoffs.”

drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com