Walkerton’s Team Hope played Walkerton’s Team Heaney on
Sunday, June 5th in its first home game of the season. The game would be close and have some great
hitting and even better defensive play throughout.
Team Heaney would score on the top of the first but strong pitching by AJ Wells would limit the run production to 1. In the bottom of the inning Team Hope would tie the game when Ethan Rogers would single then steal second and third and then run home on a passed ball. After being walked on four pitches Connor McIntosh would then steal second and again third but would be left stranded there as the inning came to an end.
In the top of the second Team Heaney would tally four more runs. In the bottom of the inning Jake Wells would reach first base after a passed ball. He would then steal second. Logan Bradley would also reach first base on a passed ball. Jake would the slide into home plate when the ball eluded the catcher and went into the far corner of the backstop. Matthew McNaughton would then single to drive in Logan but would be left at third base as the inning concluded.
The third inning would be three up three down inning for both sides as pitchers showed their power and the infielders came up with big plays and strong throwing arms. The top of the fourth four batters would come to bat but Connor McIntosh would not allow any runs to score as he threw only 11 pitches to get his three outs. Team Hope would score several runs in the bottom half of the inning when AJ Wells would walk, Jake Wells would single and Matthew McNaughton would double driving in the two base runners. Carson Baglole would then single, Connor McIntosh would reach first base after catcher interference. Matthew McNaughton would then steal home and Carson would come home on a passed ball. Team Hope would lead 7-5.
Another excellent outing by Connor who threw only 15 pitches to retire the side and its four batters. In the bottom half of the inning four batters would also come to plate for Team Hope. AJ Wells would single, then steal second and third but would be stranded there as a third out was recorded.
The sixth inning and Team Heaney would again send four batters to plate only to have three of them strike out. In the bottom half of the inning Team Hope would add one more run when Ethan Rogers would single then promptly steal second. Connor McIntosh would then double to drive in Ethan.
The top of the seventh and Team Heaney would not go down without a fight. Nine batters would come to the plate and four of those would cross home plate to take a 1 run lead. With 2 outs in the bottom of the inning Jake Wells would strike out but the ball would elude the catcher so Jake took off running towards first and would arrive at the base just as the ball would sail into the outfield. Jake would turn towards second and then slide into third. As he slide into third the ball was overthrown Jake scrambled to his feet and took off towards home plate and would slide into home just under the tag evening up the game.
The game would end in a 9-9 tie. A great game played by two strong teams neither team would give up and made for a great evening out for the fans in the bleachers.
TEAM HOPE TEAM HEANEY
9 9