Royals pitcher Bronson Paetsch shows emotion on the mound during a Saturday doubleheader against the Unity Cardinals. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Exciting doubleheader to start the season

Royals’ chances to split series with Cardinals lost in the rain

Jun 5, 2021 | 6:29 PM

The Prince Albert Royals sure had an eventful season-opening doubleheader against the Unity Cardinals to begin their 2021 Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League U18 AA campaign.

The Royals lost a close 4-2 contest in the first game, before a wild second leg. The Royals had a 10-5 lead heading into the sixth inning before the Cardinals scored five unanswered runs. While the Royals were responding in the bottom of the inning, the game was called off due to a nasty storm. The game ended in a 10-10 tie.

Here’s a breakdown of each game.

Cardinals 4 Royals 2

The Cardinals won the first game 4-2, scoring two runs in the third and two in the fifth inning. Both of the Royals’ runs came in the fourth inning.

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The Royals outhit the Cardinals 9-6, and were threatening in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runners in scoring position, but ran out of outs.

Ben Lefebvre and Brady Robin both went 3-4 from the plate in the first game for the Royals and scored a run each. Bronson Paetsch was 2-3 from the plate.

Robin was stellar on the mound for the Royals, striking out 11 batters in six innings of work, letting in four earned runs, and walking four. Nic Nye came in for an inning of scoreless relief.

Royals’ middle infielder Ben Lefebvre cracks a hit at the start of the second game between the Royals and Cardinals. Lefebvre proved to be a really difficult out as well at the plate. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

Royals 10 Cardinals 10

Heavy claps of thunder forced the exciting second game to a 10-10 tie. The game was called off as the Royals were up to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Royals had a 10-5 lead heading into the sixth inning, but the Cardinals managed to tie up the game with five runs in the top of the sixth, just before the Saturday storm came in. The Cardinals stole home, with two outs, to tie the game in the sixth inning.

Ben Lefebvre, Bronson Paetsch, and Nathan Gay all had a pair of hits in the game. Brady Robin, Jack Mortimer, Josh LaClaire and pinch hitter Evan Malenfant also got a hit in the game.

As long as the weather allows it, the Royals will be back at it on Sunday with another doubleheader at Andy Zwack Field against the Lloydminster Twins. Games are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW