DOWN 7-5, THE EXPOS RALLY FOR THREE RUNS IN THE FINAL INNING TO USURP THE METROPOLITANS IN A THRILLER AT BICKFORD PARK
Clockwise from top left: With the game tied 7-7 and the winning run standing at third base, Cooper (5) delivered a clutch two out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth that allowed Olivia (6) to slide home with the Expos winning run over the Mets. After overcoming a 7-5 deficit in the final inning, the jubilant Expos rushed out of their dugout to mob Cooper after his game winning hit. In three at bats, Cooper went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s.
Under a thick blanket of warm and humid skies, the Expos rallied in grand fashion to edge the Mets 8-7 in a four inning Peewee Division thriller this evening at the Bickford Park South Diamond.
Trailing 7-5, the Expos refused to surrender as they donned their rally caps in the bottom of the fourth. After Cameron (15) singled to lead off the inning, Juan (13) was hit by pitch to put two runners on base. Olivia (6) followed with a RBI single that allowed Cameron to come home and trim the deficit to one.
After a single by Alexia (3) loaded the bases, Taras (9) followed with a RBI walk that brought Juan home with the tying run.
With the bases still loaded and no outs, Mets closer Niall (3) induced the next Expos batter to hit into a double play. Avi (10) lined a hot shot directly into the glove of Mets first baseman Rory (4) for the first out. Then Rory stepped on first base to double up a wayfaring Expos baserunner for the second out.
It was at this juncture, with the game knotted at 6-6 and runners at third and second, when Cooper (5) stepped into the batter’s box and delivered a grace under pressure two out RBI single that allowed Olivia to motor homeward with the Expos winning run.
After staging a miracle comeback, the jubilant Expos rushed out of their dugout to mob Cooper after his game winning hit.
From start to finish, the game was a highly entertaining and well played seesaw affair between two talented and well coached teams.
The Mets threatened in the top of the first when Julia (11) stroked a double. However, Expos starter Adam (1) struck out three to keep the Metropolitans off the scoreboard.
In the bottom of the first, the Expos exercised patience at the plate to garner four walks and score a run to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Dean (14) would produce a two out RBI walk to bring Avi home.
Mets starter Niall would extricate himself from the mojo jojo jam by striking out three to quell the Expos insurgency.
The Mets answered the Expos opening salvo by scoring a run in the top of the second to tie the proceedings. With two outs, Flynn (7) blasted a monstrous triple to the nether regions of the outfield. Flynn would blaze homeward on a dropped third strike to Evan (13).
With a little help from his friends, Expos reliever Haydn (11) would strike out one during the inning to silence the Mets rally.
Mets reliever Rory (4) struck out a pair of Expos in the bottom of the second to keep them off the scoring ledger.
Feasting upon a buffet menu of five walks and two key hits, the Mets exploded for four runs in the top of the third to take a 5-1 lead. After Aiden (12) and Luisa (1) drew a pair of back to back walks to lead off the frame, Michael (5) stroked a RBI single to bring Aiden home with the go ahead run.
Julia followed with an atomic 2 RBI triple that allowed Luisa and Michael to come home to roost. After a pair of walks to Manny (15) and Niall loaded the bases, Rory would earn a RBI walk that delivered Julia home.
However, the Expos would tenaciously answer back with four runs in the bottom of the third to square the proceedings 5-5. After a lead off single by Avi, Cooper would deliver a RBI single to plate Avi and trim the deficit to three.
With one out, the Expos would proceed to load the bases on a double by Harris (12), a single by Haydn and a walk by Adam. Dean would garner a RBI walk that allowed Harris to shuffle homeward. Haydn would steal home and Adam would subsequently come home on a wild pitch to tie the game.
In the top of the fourth, the Mets would reply with two to retake the lead 7-5. With one out and two runners on base, Joseph (9) stroked a RBI single that brought Flynn home with the go ahead run. Subsequently, Aiden would hit a RBI single to bring Joseph home.
Shaken, but not stirred, Expos reliever Harris would strike out two to subdue the Metropolitans rebellion.
And it was at this juncture in the proceedings in the bottom of the fourth where the Expos came face to face with their moment wit destiny.