CUBS EDGE GIANTS 8-7; CARDINALS WING PIRATES 12-9
MAKING THEIR PITCH Clockwise from top left: Evan (9) and Campbell (1) of the Dodgers; Lucas (1) and Adam (12) of the Lizzies.
One didn’t have to wait for Canada Day for any firework displays as the six teams in the Mosquito Division provided their own offensive pyrotechnics in pounding out a total of 56 runs this evening.
In a nailbiter at Bickford South, the Dodgers and Lizzies played to an exciting 10-10 draw in four innings of play.
The two long time Mosquito Division rivals had a seesaw battle all game long as they battled tooth and nail to an 8-8 tie after three innings.
The Lizzies made the most of their opportunities and punched across two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. With one out, Jeremy (9) and Zach (6) of the Lizzies got on the basepaths with a pair of walks. After they advanced to third and second, Lucas (1) hit a sacrifice to bring Jeremy home to make the score 9-8. A few pitches later, Zach stole home to put the Lizzies up 10-8.
However, the Dodgers started a rally in the bottom of the fourth when Ben (2) walked and Nicholas (3) singled to lead off the inning. Eventually, Ben (2) stole home to make it a one run game and Nicholas slid home with the tying run on a wild pitch.
With two Dodger runners on base and nobody out, Pitcher Adam (12) of the Lizzies regained his composure and struck out the next two batters.
After a catcher interference call that loaded the bases, the Dodgers baserunner on third made a daring attempt to score on a wild pitch that bounced to the backstop. Although the Dodger runner beat the throw to the plate, he was called out by the home plate umpire for not sliding into home on the play and the game ended in a 10-10 tie.
It was a fitting result for a well played game by both teams.
On Diamond # 3, the Cardinals winged the Pirates 12-9. The highlight of the game, according to TP Cub Reporter Andrew Duncan, was a spectacular line drive catch made by Connor (15) of the Cardinals in the third inning.
And the Cubs edged the Giants 8-7 on Diamond # 2.