Hawks Mash In A Huge Comeback Inning To Win Series

2023-07-13

A 7 run 6th with Ossanna and Poturnak homers secured the Riverhawks 9-5 W

By Cody F. Schmidt

The Edmonton Riverhawks looked to be in dire straights early in tonight’s series deciding game against the Kamloops NorthPaws. Credited with five errors in the first half of the game, the Hawks couldn’t get out of their own way and it seemed like the series was in Kamloops’ paws. A big comeback 6th inning turned the tides and let the Riverhawks claim their second series win of the season.

It all came together for the Riverhawks in the 6th, as #42 Tom Poole got plunked with the first pitch of the inning before #28 Mark Ossanna demolished a two run shot over the left field fence that carried 373 feet. With the comeback started, the Hawks were then gifted loaded bases with twelve balls in fifteen pitches setting #10 Jonny McGill up for a go-ahead 2 RBI double. The Hawks didn’t stop there, as #14 Tommy Takayoshi would plate a pair with a single, but he would get called out trying to extend to second. #36 Jakob Poturnak capped off the comeback frame with a solo shot to make it seven runs within the frame, as the Hawks ended up batting around and turned a three run deficit into a four run lead!

The Hawks first got on the board in the 5th, with #6 Brett Ott using his speed to his advantage to earn a leadoff triple, then getting sent home by #9 Skyler Chang. After McGill walked, both runners were sent into scoring position with a sac bunt by Takayoshi, then a grounder by #30 Noah Boughton cashed in Chang.

The Riverhawks were their own worst enemy early in this game. McGill turned an 0-2 count into a walk in the 1st, but he was caught drifting between the bases later in the inning for a double play that halted the Hawks’ momentum. Things stayed shaky in the bottom half of the 1st as Edmonton was charged with three errors in the inning, with three NorthPaws runs coming off the trio of E6s. To keep the bad vibes coming, #12 Evan Overmars led off the top of the 2nd with a deep single to left, but after he bluffed a few steps towards second the NorthPaws were able to beat him back to first with the ball and retire Overmars. As if they hadn’t had enough trouble, another infield error was charged in the bottom of the 2nd, extending the inning on a bobbled routine play.

After swapping out pitchers in the 4th for #13 Lincoln Butt ran into trouble with loaded bases and only one out. Butt made a handful of appearances in 2022 for the Hawks, but tonight was his season debut. Lincoln was able to get a second out before walking in the fourth NorthPaws run. Lanferman made the call to swap pitchers for #37 Chas Wheatley who swiftly finished the 4th.

Despite the quick appearance in the 4th, Wheatley was roughed up in the 5th as a leadoff HBP was followed by and E1 and a single to load the bases. A single scored another run before Wheatley could settle back in and get three straight outs to limit damage to a single run. The Riverhawks relied on three strong innings from #27 Brendan Loeppky to hold onto their lead. Pitching from the 6th through the 8th, Loeppky only allowed a trio of walks in his first two innings, but a single, an E5, and a hit batter gave him a loaded bases jam in the 8th. Brendan was able to escape with a strikeout, holding the Hawks’ lead into the final inning.

That final inning belonged to #3 Dallin Harrison, making his first relief appearance since mid-June. He pitched an easy 1-2-3 inning to secure the win.

The Riverhawks now hop on the bus and move through BC for a weekend matchup with the Kelowna Falcons. The Falcons will be fresh in the Hawks’ minds as the two teams played in Edmonton just last weekend. You can follow along batter-by-batter at @RiverhawksGames or watch along on WCL Live. Follow the Riverhawks on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to see what’s coming in the next home stand, and come to RE/MAX Field after visiting tickets.gohawks.ca.