Game 3 vs. Mount Forest
The Capitals would play its first road game of
the season when they travelled to Mount Forest on Wednesday, June 13,
2018. The game would be played on a
windy cool evening but the Walkerton bats would be on fire by the end of the
game.
As visiting team Walkerton would be the first to bat but the boys would be retired 1,2, 3 after a pop fly, a strike out and a ground out to first base. Walkerton’s Xander Thornton would be the starting pitcher for the Capitals and would be very effective in limiting the Mount Forest bats. A single run would be scored by the home team to take an early 1-0 lead.
The top of the second inning would see the first two batters for Walkerton each strike out before Ethan Garland got hold of a pitch and hit a triple to put a runner in scoring condition. The next batter, Lukas Watke would walk to put runners on the corners. Both runners would be left stranded, however, as the Mount Forest pitcher would record his third strike out of the inning. The bottom of the inning would see Mount Forest lead off with a double, Xander would however strike out the next two batters that he faced keeping a careful eye on the runner at second Xander would throw to the second baseman after the runner took a big lead, the runner would then be caught in a run down between second and third before being tagged to end the threat and the inning.
Walkerton would start the third inning with a ball hit hard to second but the throw to first would just be in time to beat the runner. Ethan Smith would single before stealing second and then third but again he would be stranded as the next two Walkerton batters would each strike out as the Mount Forest pitcher continued throwing down the middle. Mount Forest would send 8 batters to the plate in the home half of the inning. Back-catcher, Lukas Watke would make a near perfect throw to second base as the base runner attempted to steal from first. Xander would make a strike out for the second out before yet another strike out with the bases loaded to record the third out. Mount Forest would, however, score two outs in the inning and Walkerton Capitals would trail 3-0 after three innings of play.
The top of the fourth would see the Walkerton bats come alive with 1 out Parker Elphick would single and then promptly steal second. The next two batters, Connor McIntosh and Matthew McNaughton would each single to load the bases. Ethan Garland would walk to bring around Parker for Walkerton’s first run of the game. Lukas Watke would then be hit by a pitch to bring the runner in from third. Riley Harris would hit a ball back to the pitcher whose throw to home plate would be a forced play but Riley would beat the throw back to first to keep the bases loaded. Xander Thornton would then hit a single to score the runner from third and tie the game. Ethan Smith would hit a triple to clear the bases. The six run max would see the Capitals then take a 6-3 lead. Parker Elphick would come into pitch the bottom of the inning and would strike out three batters to end the inning with runners in scoring positions at second and third. Walkerton would keep its bats swinging when Connor Farrell, Ryan Hinsperger, Parker Elphick and Connor McIntosh would all walk thus brining home the lead off runner from third base. Matthew McNaughton would double and clear the bases. Ethan Garland would walk to put runners at first and second. The ball park would then go dark as the lights went out and after discussions between the umpires and both coaching sides the game would be called.
Walkerton would battle back after falling behind early. The team would use fine defensive play throughout the game, precise throws, run downs and some fine outstanding catches by the fielders. Once again the pitching was fantastic with both starters Xander and relief pitcher, Parker throwing hard and accurate pitches. The boys were supportive of each other cheering each other on from both the benches and the field.
Walkerton Capitals Mount Forest Rep
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