Pitching has been a strong point for both the Trappers and Beavers this spring, with both teams counting on that strength to continue down the stretch and into the postseason to find success. Pictured here L-R: Gavin Nolin of the Battlefords Trappers, Aaron Cadrin of the North Battleford Beavers. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Down the stretchdrive

Trappers/Beavers look to finish season strong with playoffs on horizon

Jul 7, 2021 | 6:09 PM

It seems like just yesterday the Battlefords Trappers and North Battleford Beavers were opening the North Sask. River Baseball League (NSRBL) season in the community.

However, now already a full week into the month of July, the teams are gearing up for a strong finish to the season, with just two and three games respectively, left on their schedules.

Battlefords Trappers

It’s been a bit of an up-and-down season for the Trappers this year, as the team currently sits 4-4 through eight games played, ahead of their contest Wednesday evening against the defending-champion Lloyd Twins (6-2).

Pictured clockwise: Trappers’ pitcher Adam Hellofs, Trappers team picture, Bob Hudec up to bat, Beaver Lions Stadium. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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The Trapper’s .500 record has them ninth in the NSRBL standings, though with two wins in their last three, player-coach, Gavin Nolin said there’s still good reason to feel optimistic about their game heading into the postseason.

“Our pitching and defence has been good all year, just our bats had a very slow start through the first four or five games,” Nolin said. “They seem to be heating up a little bit here as of late which is what you want to see, and hopefully they can stay hot down the stretch.”

The Trappers will play the Twins tonight (July 7) at 6:30 p.m. in Lloydminster. The team will then get a few days off to rest up and regroup before playing their final two games against the Mervin Flyers Monday in Mervin, and Boarder City Blue Jays next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Beaver Lions Stadium.

North Battleford Beavers

At 3-6 on the season, the North Battleford Beavers sit just a single spot back of the Trappers in the tenth and final wildcard position heading into their final two games of the regular season.

Pictured clockwise: Beavers’ pitcher Aaron Cadrin with bat, Beavers team photo, Cadrin pitching, and Skyler Dimmick in the outfield. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Just a year removed from their first finals appearance since ’97 last spring, player-coach Kyle Gregoire said the club is confident heading down the stretch regardless of where they fit in the playoff scheme, so long as they can lock up a spot as they continue to get healthy.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t really had our whole roster available outside of a couple of games to this point, so I think everything should come together as we get into the postseason here,” Gregoire said. “We’re looking to hopefully be on the upswing now, and if we can lock up a playoff spot, we can look at last year as that goal to hopefully get on a roll with another good run.”

With just two games left on the schedule, the Beavers will play the Kindersley Stallions (6-3 record) in Kindersley on Thursday, before wrapping their schedule Monday at home versus the Lloyd Twins (6-2) in a rematch of last year’s league final.

Monday’s game versus Lloyd will be played at Beaver Lions Stadium in North Battleford. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Should the Trappers and Beavers remain in their current positions in the league standings, each of the two would take part in the league’s two single elimination wildcard ‘play-in’ series on July 15. For more on the playoff breakdown, click here.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1