|
Sarnia, ON - The Sarnia Braves and Chatham Brewers
each brought their undefeated WCBL records into
Blackwell Park knowing something would have to give
a top the leaderboard.
The Braves decided to snatch victory from the jaws
of defeat twice on their way to sole possession of
first place a fifth of the way through the season as
they battled to win an extra inning thriller over
their Kent rivals 3-2.
Both Sarnia and Chatham each put up a quality
starting pitcher for the highly anticipated affair.
Jeff Jones went seven strong innings for the Braves
allowing just three hits while striking out nine.
The Brewers took the lead in the fourth inning as
Ryan Cattrysse walked, stole second and advanced to
third on an overthrow to start the inning. Jones
would force a pop out to first baseman Rory Fell and
then a fly out to centerfielder James Grant which
failed to score Cattrysse. But, with two out Mike
Verfaillie drove a single into left which plated the
games first run.
Sarnia was stymied by Chatham ace Dave Carey for
much of the game and went into the seventh inning
without a hit and down 1-0. After Carey retired both
Chris Bright and Greg Kemble to start the inning,
the Braves saw themselves down to their final out of
the game.
An uncharacteristically wild Carey pitch would drill
Mason McCarthy in the arm to put a runner on first.
Jamie Barron came to the plate and worked a full
count before crushing a triple to the wall in
centerfield which plated pinch runner Lance Hart. It
was Sarnia’s first hit of the game and left the
match up tied 1-1 after regulation.
Lefthander Anthony Shepherd would take the mound for
Sarnia in the eighth inning. The WCBL adopted the
international tie-break system in 2011 which sees a
runner placed on second base to start all extra
innings. Shepherd worked hard, retiring all three
batters he faced but a Chatham run would score to
make the count 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
Carey took the mound for Chatham in the bottom half
of the inning with Wade Babula starting on second
base. Nick Baljeu and Randy Thingstad would each
work a walk off hit to start the inning, loading the
bases with nobody out. But, a diving snag by
Verfaillie would double off Thingstad at first base
to put the Sarnia rally in doubt.
Russ Muhlig stepped to the plate for Sarnia, and
with two on, two out and two strikes on him and
ripped a single to left field. Babula and Baljeu
came around to count and give the Braves a dramatic
3-2 win which saw celebrations both on the field and
in the stands at Blackwell Park. Shepherd picked up
the win for Sarnia, his first of the season.
Sarnia’s next game is Thursday night in Courtright
against the Corunna Giants. Game time is 7:00pm. The
Braves are home to Dresden on Monday June 13th and
Port Lambton on Wednesday June 15th at Errol Russell
Park. Both games start at 7:30pm.
Follow Sarniasports on twitter
@sarniasports.
Get up to the minute news, and live scores
as they happen from local events. |
