The North Battleford Beavers and Battlefords Trappers will play for the second time this season Thursday night in an all-local showdown. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Battlefords baseball

Beavers, Trappers set for round two of all-Battlefords matchup Thursday

Jul 15, 2020 | 3:12 PM

While it feels as though the North Sask. River Baseball League (NSRBL) season has just begun – in the blink of an eye the schedule is already nearing its mid-way mark.

Featuring a shortened campaign this year due to COVID-19, teams will play just eight games total this summer, with Thursday night serving as the official mid-season mark for both of the local teams. It will also mark the second time the two will lock horns in the last week-and-a-half in an all-Battlefords matchup.

The Battlefords Trappers won the opening showdown between the two sides, a 4-1 victory over the North Battleford Beavers, to open the season July 7 at Beaver Lions Stadium.

Now three games into the schedule apiece, the Trappers sit 2-1; while the Beavers are 1-2, but no doubt eager for some retribution against their cross-town rivals.

The Beavers will be hungry to build on a big 4-1 victory over the Mervin Flyers Tuesday, that looks to have awakened a North Battleford offence that was held to just two runs combined over their opening two games.

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However, while the Beavers can pull back to .500 with a win, it is a task perhaps easier said than done against a Trappers team that has outscored their opposition 12-5 through their first three contests.

Andrew Hudec is in his fourth-year with the Trappers and said the play of 2019 league MVP, Gavin Nolin and veteran pitcher, Jared Schmidt, has really set the team up for success through the early going.

“Gavin Nolin has been hitting the ball well for us and Jared Schmidt has been pitching very well,” he said. “[Schmidt] pitched great in that first game for us against the Beavers and he always gives us quality starts. Any time he’s on the mound you know you’re going to have a chance to win; and with a guy like Nolin, you know you’re going to get runs.”

Hudec was also instrumental with two runs of his own last Thursday versus Mervin. He said if anything, the hitting all around on the team could get even better with a few guys who perhaps, ‘still haven’t come alive yet.’ A scary proposition for any opposition team.

Especially when, as Hudec points out, there’s an added incentive for players to bring their best in the local rivalry games.

“Any time both the Battlefords’ teams play each other it’s exciting and especially when it’s a game that has an impact in the standings,” he said. “Each team wants to be the better one for bragging rights and I’m sure both teams are excited and it’s going to be a good matchup.”

Thursday night’s game will be played at Beaver Lions Stadium, with first pitch at 7 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1