Royals still alive with crucial 5-3 nailbiter

In a game that featured two storied hurlers – one that’s a sure-fire PBL hall of famer (if there was one), and another who is well on his way – it was the younger veteran who prevailed, but by no means outgunned his opposition.

Donny Oslund got the start for the Ryley Rebels who had their ninth batter arrive around the 7:20 mark. Once the game finally got going, the Armena Royals, badly in need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, had three quick hits and two runs to surprise the hometown Rebels yet again. It was just a couple weeks ago a first inning outburst was all the Royals needed in their 11-6 win on June 28.

But the Royals would muster just one more hit the rest of the way. While the Rebels squared off against long-time Armena hurler Joel Boettger. Boettger’s defence looked good at times, but shabby at others. Five errors led to a high pitch count, and the hot night looked to wear Boettger down.

Things looks to really be coming off the Armena Royals wagon when up 4-1 in the fourth, a bunted ball was popped up which looked to be catchable by the pitcher Boettger. The ball dropped, and Boettger played it on the hop but the throw deflected off firstbaseman Ian Sherbaniuk’s glove and a one-out rally was on its way. But up 4-3 with just one out, Boettger got Brian Tavaroli to pop up to the catcher and Kevin Reinholt to strikeout to end the threat. The Rebels never notched another hit the rest of the night.

In the top of sixth, rookie sensation Zenan Sherbaniuk finally broke up Oslund’s magnificent game with a single down the third baseline. A crucial bunt by the other rookie, Brendan Kudrowich, wound up in an error before Sherbaniuk stole third and scored a sac fly by the pinch hitter Chad Samoiseti.

The extra run lightened the mood, and Boettger just hucked. A couple errors didn’t phase the group and a 1-2-3 final inning sealed the 7-8 season record for the team. It was the first 7 win season for a Royals team that had won just 10 games combined in the last four years.

Unfortunately, the playoff race is so bizarre the team half celebrated the unknown. It is likely they at worst would get a one-game playoff but they won’t know until at least Thursday or later being the first team waiting in the “clubhouse” so to speak.

The win was extra special for some of the original Armena Royals who re-established the team in 2008 and took some brutal lumps after the Armena Axemen left the league. In 2009 the team scrapped and came close to a playoff berth, but then took steps back in 2010 and 2011 with two-win seasons.

Now they wait and watch.