The Ebb and Flow Lakers senior men's baseball team weren't sure if they would play this summer because of the novel coronavirus. In the end with Manitoba easing its restrictions, the Santa Clara Baseball League is holding a 2020 season which means the Lakers are back.
The team started with a 9-1 loss against the Neepawa Cubs. A strong sixth inning propelled Neepawa to the victory. Ebb and Flow would get back on the field a short few days later to play a doubleheader against the Austin A's and the double-dip provided the team with its first win of the season.
Ebb and Flow are now 1-2 after three games.
"We're doing alright right now. We had a close game against Neepawa, it just sort of got away from us near the end,' said Eric Archambault. "It was nice to get that first win against Austin; we're looking forward to the rest of the season. We have a pretty young group mixed with some veterans."
That win against Austin was fuelled by an incredible pitching performance from a veteran. Archie McIvor had a complete game shut out which featured 12 strikeouts. McIvor has been playing for the Lakers for more than 30 years and he's long been known as the team's ace.
"He's always been one of our top guys and he showed that again," continued Archambault. "He's been having these types of performances for the past 30 years, it's just what we come used to expect."
Archambault is playing his fifth season with Ebb and Flow. He says having the senior team is a great thing for not only just the community but players from outside the community who are looking to continue their competitive baseball careers.
"It's a very respectable ball club with a long history of excellence, it's an honour for myself to play on this team," ended Archambault. "It gives young kids an outlet after their high school days."
Eric adds that there are a ton of new faces on this year's team and that's the most exciting part of what is a very bright future for the Ebb and Flow Lakers. The team heads to Plumas to play the Pirates tomorrow.
