The Walkerton Capitals Pee Wee #2 Team would
play its first game of the season on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 under the lights
against the visiting Goderich Seahawks Grey Team. The game would feature solid hitting and some fine defensive play
from both teams.
The Capitals would send Parker Elphick to the mound as the starting pitcher. He was very impressive in the top of the first inning allowing only a 4 batters to come to the plate. In the bottom of the inning Walkerton would send 9 batters to face the Goderich pitcher. Ryan Hinsperger would be awarded first base after being hit by an off speed pitch before promptly stealing second base. Connor Farrell would be the second to bat and would eventually walk after a strong battle between pitcher and batter. Both runners would advance on a passed ball while Ethan Smith was up to bat. Ryan would come home on a pitch that would get away from the back-catcher to score the first run of the game. Ethan would then walk and the two runners would advance after a pitch sailed over the head of the catcher. Matthew McNaughton would then single with 1 out to bring in two more runs. Ethan Garland would walk after another lengthy pitching dual. Lukas Watke would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases but Walkerton would not be able to bring any of its runners home as Goderich would record its first strike out to wrap up the bottom half of the inning. The Capitals would lead 3-0 after the first inning of play.
Goderich would have its first batter reach base after a walk but he would be tagged out after taking a lead and being thrown out at first base. The second batter would hit a hard in field ball to Connor McIntosh at second base whose throw would beat the speedy runner. While the next batter would strike out for a three up three down inning. Parker Elphick would lead things off in the bottom half of the second for Walkerton with a single before stealing second and then third. The top of the order would see the next two batters strike out and Parker would be tagged at home as he attempted to slide under the tag at home plate after a passed ball. A three up three down inning for both sides and the Capitals would hold onto its 3-0 lead.
The top of the third would again see three batters face Parker, the first two batters would each hit hard balls towards first base where Ethan Smith would make the outs unassisted. The third out would come by way of a strike out. In the bottom half of the inning Walkerton’s first two batters would strike out before Matthew McNaughton and then Ethan Garland would each outlast full counts before being awarded first base on walks. The inning would end on a fielders choice play that would just beat the Walkerton runner at first.
In the top of the fourth Goderich would see 7 players come to plate and would rewarded with two runs before the third out was recorded. In the bottom half of the inning Walkerton’s Lukas Watke would be hit by a pitch and awarded first base and would then be driven home a few moments later after a double by Parker Elphick. Parker would then steal third base, Ryan Hinsperger and Connor Farrell would each walk with one out. Walkerton’s next batter would then strike out with the bases loaded and in come confusion Parker would then be called for leaving the playing field believing that was the third out. Walkerton having scored the 1 run would take a 4-2 lead into the fifth inning.
The Seahawks would score two runs in the top half of the fifth to tie the score. In the bottom half of the inning Walkerton would threaten after Matthew McNaughton would walk and Ethan Garland would single with one out before a ground out and a strike out would end the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning Ethan Smith would continue his stint as relief pitcher with another strong performance and shut down the Goderich batters who would threaten but were unable to bring in any runners around to score at the plate. In the bottom half of the inning Walkerton would lead off with Riley Harris and Parker Elphick each walking after battling with the Goderich pitchers. Each runner would then advance after a pass ball before Connor Farrell would hit a hard single up the middle and bring both runners around to score. Ethan Smith would then single and the game would be called because of time restraints.
A great start to the season as the Capitals would come away with a hard fought victory. The boys played a solid game defensively and made the most of their time while in the batters box. Each and every player helped contribute to tonight’s win.
WALKERTON CAPITALS GODERICH SEAHAWKS
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