Swift Current repeats as WMBL champions

The Swift Current 57's defeated the Edmonton Prospects 4-0 on Thursday to repeat as WMBL champions. Photo Credit: Swift Current 57's

By Tony Playter

WMBL Communications

Game 5 - Edmonton 0 at Swift Current 4

(Swift Current wins the series 3-2)

For the sixth time since 2001, Swift Current has won the WMBL Championship. The 57’s impressed the 1,189 home town fans that packed into Mitchell Field with a 4-0 shutout victory in the deciding game of the Championship series.

Matt Bondarchuk opened the scoring for Swift Current in the bottom of the first when he singled home Riley Campbell. A Blake Adams single sent Riley Campbell home again in the fifth inning to make the score 2-0 for the 57’s.

Cole Thibideau added an insurance run when he laced a double to left field that scored John Baiada. In the bottom of the eighth Swift Current scored again as Mason Brown banged a single out to left field to score Nick Canas to up the score to 4-0.

Scott Gillespie, the Edmonton native, started for the Prospects and threw six innings. Gillespie gave up three runs, on eight hits and three walks. Andrew Mirasty and Matt Brisson came out of the Prospects bullpen for the final two innings.

Swift Current sent Matt Michalski out to start the most important game of the season. The Mansfield, Texas product did not disappoint. The senior from University of Texas pitched a five-hit shutout. He also struck out six of the 32 batters he faced. The win was Michalski’s second of the playoffs.  

Wadsworth, Ohio native Riley Campbell had a hit, a walk and scored two runs. Nick Canas had a double and a triple in the win.  

Edmonton got five singles from five different hitters.