Milleteers And Rebels Play To A Tie After Eight
Posted May 15, 2013
Even extra innings tonight could not produce a winner tonight as an early season game between the two teams that have usually battled it out for first place took place tonight. With the Milleteers playing this one for their fallen superstar Kevin Doyle, who was lying in a hospital bed after season ending shoulder surgery today, you would’ve thought they would play with more fire.
The Rebels quickly jumped on starter Steven Pahl as he had trouble locating the fastball early and plated three in the first after a few hits and hits and an error. Pahl had the strikeouts going tonight and it was a good thing as it kept his team in the game after some shaky defense and timely Rebel hitting got them out to an early lead.
On the flip side the Milleteers struggled as usual against the finesse pitching of Ryley as they kept getting guys on, but failed to break it open as the Ryley played good defense and got some timely strikeouts. After four innings the score was 5-3.
The Milleteers then turned to Wetaskiwin product Chad Soucy who finally made his Milleteers debut after flirting with playing with the squad since 2008. The big right hander shut the Rebels down the rest of the way to give the Milleteers a chance for a comeback.
In the fifth the Milleteers threatened as the got the leadoff man on and scored him on a single, but the Kirk Smith got thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double. Tough break as Soucy would quickly rip a single in his first at bat since 1996 that would’ve scored a run.
The Milleteers would get a chance to end it in the seventh as catcher Shane Gerein lead off with a triple and scored on an Engel double. After an intentional walk Soucy helped his own cause with a sac bunt. Another intentional walk loaded the bases, but with the tieing run on third the Milleteers failed to capitalize.
It was more of the same in the eighth as Shawn Brinkworth lead off with a beaning, then stole second, and got to third with no out. Two strikeouts and a ground out to the pitcher would strand him however and the game was called due to darkness.
Despite the result, neither team will be happy with this one. The Rebels made pitches when they had too and had some clutch hits and good defense, but they also blew a five run lead. The Milleteers on the other hand left a boat load of runners on again as they have in every single game they have played this year, and they also played some shotty defense. They will need to turn it around quickly as they get back at it in Camrose as they face the 1-0 Roadrunners.
Posted on May 15, 2013 by Steven Pahl
