Moose Jaw's Reece Helland received an at-bat for the Moose Jaw Miller Express during Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Swift Current 57s.

Helland stepped to the plate for a pinch hit opportunity and received a round of applause from the Ross Wells Park faithful. The recent Peacock Collegiate graduate proceeded to foul off a pair of pitches before working a walk. He would eventually come around to score during a three-run ninth inning for the Millers.

"I haven't seen that kind of throwing in a while," said Helland after the game. "That was harder than I expected when I went up there, but I made it work."

Helland has been spending time with the Millers over the past few seasons as he progresses towards starting his own collegiate baseball career.

He's still looking for his first Western Major Baseball League hit, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his previous three appearances this year.

"Last year, I didn't even swing the bat in all four at-bats, but now I know that I can compete with these guys for sure, so I know that if I get bat on ball, I can finally get a hit," said Helland.

Millers head coach Michael Hunt said he's seen a lot of growth in Helland's game over his few seasons working with him.

"He's grown into a fine young man and turned into a really good ball player," said Hunt. "He's heading out to school in the fall, so we want to get him some at-bats to prepare him for that."

Moose Jaw's Reece Helland looks in at the pitcher from first base after working a walk in his lone at-bat on Tuesday night at Ross Wells Park. (Photo: Marc Smith)

The local product is in his second season with the Regina Wolfpack in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League's Midget AAA Division. 

"We're doing really good, we're in first place right now, the team is really good, we've got a lot of guys that can swing and a lot of pitchers, so that helps us," Helland said.

Helland is putting together a very strong final season with the Wolfpack, he currently leads the team with a .338 average and seven doubles, while also sitting second on the team with 19 RBI.

He's also struck out 19 over nine innings of work on the mound.

"The biggest thing I need to work on is more efficient at-bats, I'm getting a lot of hits, but with runners in scoring position, I get into my head a lot, but hopefully when provincials come around, I can get over that," said Helland.

Getting a chance to see older pitchers at the WMBL level during the season is a big help for Helland, who credits his growth as a player to working with the Millers.

"Getting to work with these guys and Coach Hunt helping me with my swing and my defence, I know through these three years working with them, I've gotten so much better," said Helland.

The Wolfpack have three games remaining in the regular season, they host the South East Twins on Thursday at Currie Field and then play the Swift Current 57s in a doubleheader on Saturday.

For the Millers, they're back at Ross Wells Park on Wednesday night to host the Okotoks Dawgs.