Game #7: June 10, 2010
(Pickering, Ont) Looking to avenge their 10-2 loss to DD4U in their season opener, The Shamrocks got another crack at last years PFRA Playoff Champs. Riding a season high 3-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1), the Shammys were confident they were going to give them a run for their money.
The game got off to an ominous start for the Green Shirts. After quietly going down in order to start the game, the Shammy’s defence was also shaky. A leadoff liner to RF by Steve Johnson deflected off Paul Fleming’s glove and rolled into the RF corner. Johnson easily got to 3rd standing up on what was essentially a 3-base error. The next batter, Mike Spirling’s deep flyball to LF got DD4U on the board, 1-0.
As per usual the Shammy’s offense started slow but did manage to scrap out the tying run in the Top of 3. With a runner on, back to back hits by Adam Sarson then the resurgent Fred Fleming got the Shamrocks on the board, pulling it even at 1.
Attempting new strategy, the Shamrocks elected to start Tom Kelly for the rematch. With Cam Armstrong having pitched 20 of a possible 21 innings in the past 3 games, and the Shammys clawing back to the .500 mark, innings were going to be divided among the staff.
Kelly was working into his 3rd inning and only down 1-0 when signs of fatigued started to show. The defence was unable to bail him out as well before the Shamrocks made a pitching change. DD4U had put had put 4 spot up on the board before Craig Sarson, fresh off his 6-month stay in “Jolly Ol’England” was summoned in relief. After a first batter RBI single, Sarson managed to get the final out of the 3rd but the Shammys now trailed 6-1.
Knowing, and believing that they could comeback, as evident in their previous 3 games, the Shamrocks chipped away in the Top of 4. With one out, Armstrong reached on a throwing error. Chris Tercer followed with a walk putting two on for Kelly. The Shamrocks thumper stroked a 2-run single to left to cut the lead in half.
On defence, the Shamrocks frustrating night continued. Routine plays that should have been made weren’t. Clutch double plays and sliding catches in the outfield were, which just added to frustration.
On offense, still trailing by 3, the Shamrocks managed just 5 base runners the final 3 innings. Only one Shammy’s batter (Mike Sarjue) recorded a hit. Walks and errors by DD4U weren’t capitalized on and both teams were held scoreless the final three frames. Shamrocks undefeated streak was over, 6-3 the final.
*** Games Notes will be added to next edition