In a rematch of a recent game the Walkerton Capitals would
this time play host to the visiting Flesherton Rangers on July 9th,
2018. The boys again would be missing
three players so two players would be called up to play in their absence.
Flesherton would come out early and score 6 runs after sending 11 batters to face the Walkerton pitching. While the pitching was strong the visiting bats were just that much better. Walkerton would respond in the bottom half of the inning with a single run when Lukas Watke would come home to score. The Capitals would trail 1-6 after the first inning.
In the second the Rangers would score a single run after sending four batters to the plate. In the home half of the inning Connor McIntosh would lead things off with a single before stealing second base. Cayleb Peitz would hit a single with 1 out to put runners on the corners. Connor Farrell would hit into a fields choice play at first base but would cash in a runner from third for Walkerton's only run of the side.
The third inning would see the masterful pitching continue as Flesherton would not score any runs after sending four players to face the Walkerton pitching. In the bottom half of the inning the Walkerton bats would come alive. Lukas Watke would reach base after the catcher dropped the ball on the third strike and the speedy runner would beat the throw to first and then proceed to second as the ball was off target and would make its way to the fence. The next batter, Tyler Wallace (replacement player) would single to put runners on the corners, the bases would then become loaded after Xander Thornton would walk. Mathew McNaughton would then single bringing the first run of the inning. Connor McIntosh would walk and that would also bring home another run. The scoring would continue when the second replacement player, Cody McIntyre, would single. The next two batters Cayleb Peitz and Connor Farrell would each walk and bring in two additional base runners from third. With two outs Lukas Watke would single to bring the sixth run of the inning and Walkerton would take an 8-7 lead after three innings of play.
The Rangers would tally four runs in the bottom half of the inning to once again take the lead. In the bottom half of the inning Tyler Wallace would lead things off with a single and would then promptly steal second base. Ethan Garland would then single to put runners at first and third. Xander Thornton would hit into a fields choice play at first base but would bring in the runner from third. Matthew McNaughton would walk and Connor McIntosh would reach first base after a third strike drop ball which would bring Ethan Garland home from third base as the throw was made to first. Along fly ball would be the second out of the inning and after tagging up the runner would be caught at home after sliding into the tag.
The fifth inning would be the final inning of the game because of time restraint. Flesherton would tally four runs and lead the game by a total of five as Walkerton would come to its final bat. Cayleb Peitz, Connor Farrell, Riley Harris, Lukas Watke and Tyler Wallace would all walk to start the inning off for the Capitals. Ethan Garland would then double and bring another two runs. Xander Thornton, Matthew McNaughton and Connor McIntosh would all single and thus bring home the maximum six runs to the inning and allow the Capitals to squeak out a 1 run victory.
The Capitals would battle back several times throughout this game. The motto “never give up” was evident throughout as Walkerton fought back against a very strong Flesherton team. The boys battled hard and would make several strong plays throughout the game for their 8th consecutive win.
WALKERTON CAPITALS FLESHERTON RANGERS
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