Milleteers Comeback To Take Game One

The Milleteers are hoping history repeats itself as they started their third straight semi final playoff series with a come from behind win in their last at bat, with the first two being the launching point for championship runs. After a dominating run through the regular season the Milleteers faced off against a determined Ryley Rebels squad who fought and clawed their way into the playoffs with a walkoff homer with their season on the line against the Milleteers in their last regular season game, and then staging a come from behind win in a sudden death playoff versus their arch rivals from Bardo.

 

 

Tonight the largest home crowd of the season was treated to an old fashioned pitching duel as Rebels starter Craig Koughan and Milleteers starter Steven Pahl were basically untouchable for the first six innings, albeit in different ways. Koughan was efficient as after six he had given up only an infield single and a bloop single, to go along with only one strikeout and no walks. Pahl on the other hand had the strikeouts going as he only had given up one bloop single of his own, but also had been a little wild with a couple of walks. The wildness would hurt him as he hit shortstop Dylan Solberg with a slow curve to leadoff the seventh. After a weak grounder got him to second and an error got him to third the Rebels were in business. After pitching a great game Koughan then helped his own cause as he battled to a 3-2 count, then got a fastball he could handle to cash in the go ahead run. After another walk, Pahl then showed some moxy as he struck out the next two batters with the bases loaded to keep the game close.

 

 

In the bottom of the seventh the heart of the order finally came through as All Star Trevor Pahl led off with a bloop single, then clean up hitter Kevin Doyle followed with a single of his own to put runners on first and second with none out. Then the turning point of the game came up as the Milleteers all time home run leader Steven Pahl came up to the plate and laid down a picture perfect bunt to sacrifice the runners over. With the defense caught off guard and the 240 pounder hustling down to first Koughan had to rush his throw and he threw it away to not only let Pahl reach safely, but also let his brother Trevor score the tying run. After the Rebels walked the bases loaded to set up the force at home, the Milleteers hottest hitter Murray Doyle stepped up to the plate and drove a 2-2 pitch to the fence for a long single and a walk off, hard fought win for the Milleteers.

 

Game two will go in Ryley on Tuesday, with a big crowd expected to be on hand.

 

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Steve Pahl