The series is all tied up as the Okotoks Dawgs head to Edmonton today as the (1-1) Dawgs dropped a close, 2-1 tilt to the (1-1) Prospects on Wednesday night.

Despite the loss, Justin Vernia (Gonzaga University) kept the Dawgs in the contest all night long, tossing a complete game -- a season high for the club -- while allowing just two runs. Over the course of nine innings, Vernia fanned seven Prospects, en route to the best outing of the campaign for Okotoks.

Eddie Sanchez (Central Arkansas) led the way offensively with a three-hit night, highlighted by a towering double to right field in the ninth inning. In the end, with everyone at the edge of their seats, the red and white weren’t able to cash him in from third base.

Missed opportunities were the catalyst in the Dawgs’ loss tonight. After Okotoks was unable to capitalize with the bases loaded in back-to-back innings, Edmonton broke the scoreless deadlock in the top of the third. A leadoff single from British Columbia’s Anthony Cusati came around to score before the third base-knock of the frame made it a 2-0 contest, handing the Prospects their first lead of the series.

It took seven innings for the Dawgs to get on the board -- failing to be shutout in all of 2017 -- but they did so courtesy of the MVP, Kody Funderburk (Dallas Baptist). Ryan Humeniuk (Indian Hills) led the inning off with a solid single up the middle, swiping second on a wild pitch and moving to third on a deep fly to left field. The Dallas Baptist product saw something he liked first pitch, looking in a fastball and driving it past the outstretched glove of Anthony Olson at second base for an RBI single. The lone-run was the was the first time all year Okotoks was held to that number.

They head to Edmonton on Thursday looking to bounce back.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com