It was a tough weekend out east for Red Deer’s midget AAA Carstar Braves.

In Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for the annual May Long tournament, the Braves picked up just one win in four tries and failed to qualify for the playoff round.

Red Deer opened the tournament Friday with a hard fought 2-1 loss to the host Cardinals.

Jonah Penner tallied Red Deer’s only hit of the game, a double, and scored the only run.

Starter Corbyn Shields, who pitched a complete game, took the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out five over seven innings of work.

Saturday wasn’t much better for the Braves, as they lost 9-2 to the Saskatchewan Midget Baseball League leading Regina Mets.

Wyle Cunningham got the start on the hill for Red Deer, giving up nine runs on seven hits over three innings of work, while Brandon Bodemer pitched one hit ball over the final two innings of the rain shortened affair.

Offensively, Taze Steeves and Reign Letkeman were both one for two at the plate, while Mac Guckert was one for one.

Scott Trapp led the Brave’s to their first win Sunday morning, throwing a five inning, five strike out no-hitter as Red Deer blanked Lloydminster 3-0 in another game that was shortened because of rain.

Reid Stoyberg was one for two at the plate, as was Bodemer, with both Penner and Letkeman going one for three in the batter’s box.

Sunday afternoon saw the Braves lose 5-4 to the Saskatoon Diamondbacks in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Penner got the start again for Red Deer, giving up three runs on two hits over two innings before handing the ball to Drew Hamilton, who pitched the final two innings, giving up two runs on three hits with one strikeout.

The Braves are back on the diamond tonight in Okotoks for a league game against Foothills Red.

sports@reddeerexpress.com