The Alvinston Indians
opened their best 3 out of 5 series with Springfield
last Thursday evening on home turf, and their rust
from not playing in two weeks was evident. The
upstart Springfield Brewers, who dispersed of
Morpeth in round 1, came to town. The game pitted
Indians starter Brad Young, against Springfield
starter Shaun Winship.
After a scoreless first
inning on both sides, Alvinston tallied first, when
Brad Young singled, advanced to second on a pass
ball, and then scored on a one out RBI single by
Jeff Lyons, which was booted by the outfielder,
allowing Jeff Lyons to round all the bases, and
spark Alvinston to a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the third
however, the pesky Brewers had two out, but just
wouldn't stop. Maris was hit by a pitch, and Mark
McCallum followed by promptly smacking a two run
home run over the center field fence to tie the
game. Shaun Winship then reached base via an error
by the Indians left fielder, and Schaffsma put the
Brewers in front when he singled, scoring Winship
for the go ahead run on a close play at the plate.
Winship and the Brewers
held the Indians off the scoreboard in the third,
but in the fourth, Jeff Ingram led off the inning
with a deep solo home run to knot the game at 3's.
In the top of the fifth however, three straight hits
by Springfield with two outs once again,
manufactured the go ahead fourth run in the game.
The Indians went quietly in the fifth and sixth
innings, and the Brewers added an insurance run in
the seventh, when Maris singled, and then eventually
came around to score on a two out double by Steve
Wright.
With the game now 5-3 in
favour of the Brewers, they needed three outs for
the win. With one out however, Andy Triest doubled
to spark the Indians offence. Joe Triest followed by
reaching first via a hit by pitch. With runners on
first and second, Jamie Shields hit a triple into
the gap, scoring both Triest's to tie the game.
Chris Drew then hit a ball up the middle, which was
enough to drive in Shields from third for the game
winning run.
The thrilling game 1
matchup finished off 6-5, with the Indians coming
back late to defeat Springfield. Brad Young was the
winning pitcher, tossing a complete game, allowing 5
runs, 3 earned runs, 10 hits, while striking out 10.
Shaun Winship was the hard luck loser, tossing 6 2/3
innings, allowing 6 runs, 5 earned runs, 7 hits, and
fanning 15 Alvinston swingers. Winship, Schaffsma,
Wright, and Jamie Harwood were all 2/4 for the
Brewers, while Chris Drew was 2/4 for Alvinston.
