Stags 10 Riggers 4
For the first three innings it looked like a matter of time for the Red Deer Riggers to dispose of the Red Deer Stags in the Sunburst Baseball League South Division final.
But then Stags started Josh Edwards found his groove and the Stags slowly picked away until they exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and went on to a 10-4 victory to tie the best-of-three series 1-1.
The third game goes Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Great Chief Park.
“Josh was able to keep us in it until our bats came alive,” said Stags co-manager Shawn Connor.
The Riggers scored once in the first and second innings and twice in the third against Edwards, who allowed six of his nine hits over the first three innings. He threw a complete game, tossing 114 pitches.
“He did a good job . . . he was around the zone and kept them in the game early on,” said Riggers manager Curtis Bailey.
Both teams were also kicking themselves for some poor base running decisions.
“We ran ourselves out of a couple of innings, but when we got the chance we were finally able to capitalize,” said Connor.
Bailey looked at a pair of base runnings mistakes, when they ran into outs, plus a couple of errors and wild pitches.
“We gave them their first three runs thanks to an error and two wild pitches,” he said. “But we also were using pitchers who haven’t thrown much this season.”
Colin Hodgson started for the Riggers and went five innings, allowing two runs — one earned.
“He battled and you could see he was tiring in the fifth,” added Bailey, who then went to Joel Peterman, who struggled from the outset.
He allowed two hits and a walk in both the sixth and seventh innings and was fortunate to allow only one run.
However, he started the eight and faced three batters and left with the bases loaded as Aaron Tweet walked, Chayse Marion was hit by a pitch and Ryan Carr was safe when he bunted and Peterman’s throw to third was wide.
Jason Chatwood came on and gave up three hits, two walks and hit a batter before getting out of the inning.
“It was tough for Jason to come in as he hasn’t thrown, but Jaret (Chatwood) was the one we should have used, but I didn’t want to move him from catcher to pitcher, that’s hard on a guy,” explained Bailey.
The fact the Stags won was a positive for both teams in a way.
“We get a lot more reps before the provincials,” said Connor. “Plus we were able to shift our defence around a bit, so we have our best lineup and the guys get a little comfortable.”
“It doesn’t hurt to play the extra game as everyone gets a few more swings in,” said Bailey.
Kevin Curran, who drove in the tying and winning runs, had three hits for the Stags while Dan Zinger and Marion had two each.
Delton Kruk and Mike Ronnie had two hits each for the Riggers.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com