The Portage Padres provincial run came to an end Saturday. They finished the tournament an unfortunate 0-3 after losing both matches on Day 2 of the Baseball Manitoba Senior AA Provincials in Neepawa.

The Padres lost 16-1 to Morden in their opening match Friday afternoon. They then lost a tight 3-1 decision to Boissevain Saturday Morning. They lost their final match 12-10 to the Cardinals out of Brandon. The Padres were down 6 heading into their final at bat and managed to claw their way back to within two but couldn't complete the comeback.

Padres' player/manager Rod McLeod says they didn't have it going since the start of provincials.

"I think we might have got hurt playing Ebb and Flow in the first round, it was a sloppy series. Our bats haven't been great the whole playoffs and provincials. We're really happy to be here and hope we can make it back next season, but we didn't expect to go 0-3. We've got a good group of kids on the team this season and good luck to them next week at Westerns."

Brody Moffat salutes to the sky after hitting a solo shot against the Cardinals. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Pitcher Jason Kirkland says it was a little disappointing to finish the way they did.

"We started pretty strong, and going to provincials is a big plus, but we didn't expect to come here and perform the way we did. One or two different hits and we would probably be playing Sunday. That's how baseball is sometimes you hate it and sometimes you love it."

"We made the provincial tournament which was the big thing, that was our goal to start the year," adds Blake Swedlo. "We had some tough losses (at provincials) and it was our first time out here and we came out and tried our best. Hopefully, we're back here again next year after another good season."

Kirkland adds they're still the cream of the crop and you can take that to the bank. The Santa Clara Baseball League Championship Final resumes Wednesday between Neepawa and Carberry. The best of five is tied at one game a piece.