SRFL Finals - Game 5
September 30, 2008
Vasey, ON
Vasey, ON
On a cool night for fastball, the Vasey Countrymenhosted Minesing in Game 5 of the best-of-seven SRFL Finals.
The floodlight fixture featured Minesing ace KurtGlover facing off against Vasey ace Brad Robinson. Both pitchers started off hot on the cool evening as they would hold theirrespective opposing teams off the scoreboard for the first three innings.
Minesing would strike first in the top of the 4thinning as Keith Rankin reached base via a single to left field, the first hitof the game for Minesing. Rankin would then swiftly steal second andadvance to third on a pass ball. Rankin was plated as a pass ball hit thedirt and allowed Rankin to dart home for the first run of the game on a closeplay at the plate.
Vasey would then answer with a lone run in the bottomof the 4th inning after Jamie Robinson singled, stole second andthen with two out, Jody King drove a Kurt Glover offering down the first baseline to plate Robinson and tie the game 1-1.
The top of the 5th inning started off witha blast as wiley veteran Paul Priest belted a Robinson rise ball deep to rightfield for a solo homerun. Greg McLean then drew a one out walk and withtwo away John McNabb drove a pitch over the leftfielders head to the fence,plating McLean from first and staking Minesingto a 3-1 lead heading to the bottom of the 5th.
Vasey responded in the bottom of the 5thinning as Doug Dutton led off the inning with a single and was moved to secondcourtesy a Steve Cadeau sacrifice bunt. Todd Weatherell then stepped tothe plate and singled up the middle to cash Dutton and bring Vasey within arun.
The 6th inning would prove to be a flashin the pan as both teams failed to score as Minesing left two runners aboardand Vasey only sent three batters to the plate.
The 7th inning would prove to be dramatic,Minesing put a man on first after Chuck Wilson hit a ball between short andthird that ended up being fielded by the third baseman and an off balance throwresulted in the ball sailing wide of first base. John McNabb then stepped tothe plate and drove a ball to left field for a single and push Wilson to thirdbase. Robinson then struck out Jamie Grant and could only watch as KeithRankin stung a ball at Vasey Shortstop Rob King who came up with a greatshoe-top grab to end the Minesing threat.
The Countrymen brought up the bottom of the order inthe bottom of the 7th. Jody King started off the inning withan infield hit and a close play at first base, that’s right, tie goes tothe runner (it was close) Doug Dutton then laid down a sac bunt to advance Kingto second base. Steve Cadeau would then strike out on some high heat fromGlover and bring Vasey back to the top of the order with two out. Glovermanaged to get up on Todd Weatherell 1-2 before Weatherell bounced a Gloveroffering to short, only to see the Minesing shortstop bounce one to first, aball that the first baseman could not secure. With runners on first andsecond Steve Eakley stepped to the plate and drove a pitch to right field,platting King and squaring up the game at 3-3. Brad Robinson then stepped to the plate and with a 0-1 count,belted a walk off 3-run homerun over the centerfield fence to secure thevictory for the Countrymen and force Game 6.
Game 6 is set for Wednesday October 1st at 8:00pm inElmvale with Minesing holding a 3-2 series lead.
LINE SCORE
R H E
Minesing 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 3 6 2
Vasey 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 6 9 1
WP: Brad Robinson 7.0 IP 6H 11K 3BB
LP: Kurt Glover 7.0 IP 9H 5K 0BB
Vasey Highlights
Todd Weatherell 2/3 2singles
Brad Robinson 1/4 3R HR
Jody King 2/3 Double,Single
Minesing Highlights
John McNabb 2/3 Double,Single
Keith Rankin 1/2 Single,run scored
Paul Priest 1/2 Solohomerun
