Derek Chapman swings at a pitch during the Red Deer Riggers 39th annual tournament this past weekend. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

sluggin' it

Riggers close out season with losses, but hopeful for playoff run

Jul 29, 2019 | 9:41 PM

The Red Deer Riggers put a 14-0 loss this weekend in the final of their own 39th annual tournament behind them before heading out Monday night to try and claim first place in the Senior Men’s AAA Sunburst League.

Jaret Chatwood, who started on the mound in Sunday’s disappointing tournament final against Sherwood Park, was pulled early after allowing several runs.

Acknowledging that any player can have a game like that every once in a while, he says the tournament went really well overall.

“Any time you can make it to the finals of any tournament, it’s a pretty big deal. The weather held out, the fans were great, our sponsors were awesome, and it was pretty successful,” he says.

“We were running a little bit short on pitching. We fell a little flat at the end, and that’s kind of just the way it works. I just couldn’t really find the strike zone and they capitalized on the pitches I did throw strikes on. They’re a good team so I think there was a little bit of extra pressure.”

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Meantime, the tournament’s home run derby and Saturday night game raised funds for the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation. Chatwood notes that a number of Riggers players went to school with Lindsey.

Then on Monday, the Riggers were in Edmonton looking to take care of business and clinch first place headed to the playoffs and a run at a provincial championship.

The final score was 3-2 for Edmonton, leaving the Riggers as regular season runners-up.

“Everyone was a little bit amped up for it. Any time you can finish first place in the league is awesome. We like playing at home because our fans are probably the best in the league,” he says.

The Riggers will play at home to start the playoffs despite the regular season-ending defeat. The Riggers will take the field Tuesday, August 6 against the same Sherwood Park Athletics that blasted them on Sunday.

Not counting the tournament, Red Deer went 5-2 versus the Athletics this season.