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Giants return home after 6 game road trip

Fort McMurray Giants Richard Ortiz/Dan Lines Photography

The Fort McMurray Giants return home for a two game set against the Edmonton Prospects after a lengthy six game road trip that saw the club go 3-3.

The Giants (6-9) have a chance to make up some ground on the Prospects (9-8) who sit two games ahead of them in the WCBL Western Division standings.

The two teams are finishing off a home and home after playing two games in Edmonton over the weekend.

The Prospects took the first game 6-2 on Saturday before the Giants responded with an 8-6 win on Sunday afternoon.

Nick Cardinal made his first start of the season for the Giants in Sunday’s victory. Cardinal is entering his fourth season with the Giants and joined the club this past week after finishing up his school year at Fresno State. The Bonnyville, AB native was solid on the mound pitching six innings allowing one run on eight hits while striking out three.

In Saturday’s loss, Ike Buxton was perfect on the mound through five innings and left the game with the Giants leading 2-0. Keith Manby struggled in relief, allowing four runs in the 6th inning and Tyler Hodder gave up two more in the 8th inning as the Giants fell 6-2.

The Giants who have a very road heavy schedule to start the year started the road trip off well by thumping Medicine Hat 12-0 on Tuesday. The Giants hammered out 18 hits led by Eric Meyer and Brady Wood who had four apiece.

From there they made their first trip to Saskatchewan this season as they took on Swift Current in a three game set. The 57s took the first game 7-4 before the Giants bounced back with a solid effort Thursday to win 3-1. The 57s took the rubber match with a 7-3 win on Friday.

Several Giants are red hot at the plate as of late. Eric Meyer is riding an eight game hit streak where he has racked up 16 hits and is hitting a team high .432 this season. Tanner Hess continues to swing the bat well as he leads all Giants hitters with 23 hits this season and is second to Meyer with a .426 batting average. And Mr. Consistent has been Richard Ortiz who is the only Giant to play every game this season. The second year Giant is riding a 15 game hit streak and leads the team with four homeruns and 18 RBI’s.

The Giants are also hoping to get a boost to their line-up this week with the return of 2017 standout Max Hewitt.

Hewitt’s season at Oklahoma State just wrapped up after a loss in the Super Regional to Texas Tech. The shortstop played 47 games for the Giants in 2017 and batted .294 with 55 hits, two homeruns and 38 RBI’s. His 55 hits and 38 RBI’s in a season are franchise records.

The Giants take on the Prospects Tuesday and Wednesday night at Shell Place. First pitch for both games is schedule for 7:05 p.m.