The Weyburn Beavers wrapped up the 2010 regular season, and prepared for their first playoff series since 2003, by sweeping a two-game series with the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets.
Weyburn rallied from a 6-1 deficit to beat Saskatoon 7-6 on July 27, and they defeated Saskatoon 2-1 in a pitcher's duel on July 28.
Weyburn finished the season with a 17-25 record, good enough for the third and final playoff birth in the East Division. They finished three games ahead of the Yorkton Cardinals for the final playoff birth.
"It's huge for the organization and it's very important for the players to give that (the playoffs) to the organization and to the community in general," said Beavers head coach Terry Smith. "There are a lot of people here who worked really hard to keep this team going through all those rough years.
"But these guys knew the situation when they came in, and I knew the situation when I came in. The goal that we set from the beginning was to get the team back into the playoffs, and to give the organization something to build on and be proud of."
Weyburn will face the Regina Red Sox in a best-of-five, first round series. Regina had the second-best record in the league during the regular season at 29-13.
"We'll need solid pitching," said Smith. "We hit the ball fairly well. We play solid defence. If our pitchers can come out and compete, and not give up walks, and not give big innings, with a lot of runs in one inning, then we'll be fine."
Regina won seven of eight meetings with the Beavers. Weyburn's lone victory over the Red Sox was an 8-6 decision on June 24.
Smith said the team is healthy entering the playoffs, and they have enjoyed good health in the second half.
The series will be played in a five-day span. The schedule is:
*Game 1 in Regina on July 30;
*Game 2 in Weyburn on July 31;
*Game 3 in Regina on August 1;
*Game 4 in Weyburn on August 2;
*Game 5 in Regina on August 3.
Games 4 and 5 will only be played if they are necessary. All games will start at 7:05 p.m.
