With the 2000 Midget AA Baseball Provincials set to kick-off July 21 in Weyburn, the hometown Beavers would have liked nothing better than to go into the tournament on a high.

But a double-header sweep at the hands of the Swift Current Indians put a damper on the week leading up to the tourney as the Beavers will be forced to iron out the kinks if they have any hopes of returning to the tournament finals. Last season Weyburn's Midgets were edged in the championship game by the Nipawin Liners.

After dropping the opener of Sunday's twin-bill 9-7 to the Indians, Weyburn jumped out to an early lead in game two.

With a run already plated and runners on first and second, Weyburn starting pitcher Matt Rosiak helped out his own cause as he sent a long double down the left field line, clearing the bases to cap of the three run first.

But that was all the offence the Beavers would be able to muster on the afternoon as they were held in check by the Indians' pitching. Unfortunately for Weyburn their pitching was unable keep pace as the Indians pounded Beavers' throwers, scoring 16 runs in the final four innings, en route to a 16-3 win.

The Beavers wrap-up their 2000 season tonight as they play host to the Moose Jaw Cardinals in a 6:30 p.m. start.

Joining the Beavers in the 2000 Provincial Tournament will be the Regina Buffalos, the Regina Blue Jays, the Saskatoon Rays, the Kindersley Pirates, the Melville Millionaires, the Saskatoon Toros and the afore mentioned Swift Current Indians.

Action begins Friday as the Melville Millionaires and the Saskatoon Toros do battle at 3 p.m. at Tom Laing Park while the Regina Blue Jays and the Swift Current Indians butt heads at Coulter Park.

Weyburn's first action will come Friday night as they take on the Regina Buffalos at 6 p.m.

Opening ceremonies for the tournament will take place at Tom Laing Park at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the gold medal game slated for 4 p.m. Sunday.

Adult passes for the three-day tournament are $10 while day passes are $5. Fans under 17 are admitted free of charge.