Saskatchewan's Andrew Albers wins Pan Am baseball gold medal
North Battleford pitcher survived a scare to win gold, Nikole Todd adds second squash silver
It's been a rocky year at times for North Battleford's Andrew Albers, but the gold medal around his neck should provide some comfort.
On Sunday, Albers and Canada's men's baseball team won gold following a thrilling 7-6 game against the United States.
Albers entered the game in the top of eighth inning with the Canada and the U.S. tied 4-4. When the game moved into extra innings, the pressure was on Albers. International tiebreaker rules place runners on first and second base to start the 10th inning. The U.S. scored two runs in the extra inning before Albers was replaced.
Luckily, a botched pickoff attempt by the American pitcher in the bottom of the 10th led to two Canada runs and the gold medal.
Two for Todd
On Friday, Regina's Nikole Todd became the first Saskatchewan athlete to win multiple medals at the 2015 Pan Am Games. Todd, 25, picked up her second silver medal in women's team squash.
After cruising to the gold medal game with a 3-0 win over Mexico on July 16, Canada lost to the U.S. 2-1 in the final. Todd picked up the only match victory for Canada after beating American Natalie Grainger in the first game. Grainger was forced to retire in the second game, giving Canada the point.
Todd won a silver medal in women's doubles squash earlier last week.
#HolySchmitt!
Saskatoon's Gavin Schmitt is more than just a fun hashtag. On Friday, Schmitt led Canada's men's volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Mexico in their opening match.
Schmitt followed up with an even better individual performance on Sunday, scoring 24 points in a 3-1 win over Puerto Rico.
The pride of Dalmeny
Canada's women's softball team got its Pan Am Games off to a brilliant start beating Brazil 6-0 on Sunday.
Dalmeny's Megan Gurski went 1-2 at the plate and picked up an RBI.
Here is when Saskatchewan athletes will compete next:
Monday, July 20 (all times in CST)
Women's softball
- Canada vs Cuba at 5 p.m. (Megan Gurski, Dalmeny)
Women's Baseball
- Canada vs Cuba at 5:05 p.m. (Saskatoon's Melissa Armstrong, Swift Current's Bradi Wall)
Tuesday, July 21
Men's Wakeboard
- Semi-finals at 11 a.m. (Rusty Malinoski, Humboldt)
Women's softball
- Canada vs USA at 5 p.m. (Megan Gurski, Dalmeny)
Men's volleyball
- Canada vs USA at 5:05 p.m. (Gavin Schmitt, Saskatoon)
Women's baseball
- Canada vs Venezuela at 5:05 p.m. (Saskatoon's Melissa Armstrong, Swift Current's Bradi Wall)