DEADLOCKED 12-12, THE BUCCANEERS PREVAIL OVER THE EXPOS IN A MAN-OF-WAR BATTLE ROYALE AT BICKFORD PARK
Beneath a blanket of warm and serene summer skies, the Pirates edged the Expos 11-10 in four nautical innings of Peewee Division action on the high seas of Bickford Park Bay.With the game deadlocked 12-12, the Pirates took control of the mizzenmast in the bottom of the fourth. Following a lead off walk, Dajuan (10) stole second to move himself into scoring position. Piper (3) followed with a one out RBI double to centre field to bring Dajuan home with the Bucs winning run.
The proceeding was an entertaining back and forth seesaw affair that was contested by two well coached and talented teams. In the end, the Pirates prevailed for the victory in their final at bats.
In the top of the first, the Expos jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. After Juan (13) drew a lead off walk, Charlie (7) singled to put two ducks on the pond. Theo (5) [a call up from the Mosquito Division Twins] followed with a RBI single to bring Juan home with the opening run of the game.
Following a single by Cameron (5) that loaded the bases, William (9) hit into a fielder’s choice where Charlie was erased at home on a 1-2 putout by Pirates starter Daniel (12) and catcher Piper.
With one out and the bases juiced to the gills, Taras (11), Elias (10) and Andy (1) drew consecutive RBI walks that plated Theo, Cameron and William.
In a spirited effort, Pirates starter Daniel had a workmanlike effort on the hill in the first frame.
The Buccaneers would answer with two in the bottom of the first to trim the deficit to two. Following back to back walks to Dajuan and Loyan (6) to lead off the frame, Piper powered a 2 RBI triple to bring them home to roost.
After Piper’s attempt to steal home was denied by Expos catcher Charlie, Expos starter Andy (1) struck out two to quash the Pirates mutiny.
The Expos would feast upon a Mandarin buffet serving of six scrumptious walks in the top of the fourth to score four and stretch their lead to 8-2. With one out, Vince (10) [a call up from the Mosquito Division Astros], Juan and Charlie drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Theo followed with a RBI single to plate Vince.
With the bases still loaded, Cameron, William and Taras would garner a series of RBI walks that allowed Juan, Charlie, Theo to come homeward.
In the bottom of the second, the Pirates would reply with four to slice the shortfall to two. After stroking a lead off single, Nigel (14) would steal his way around the bases and come home to crow.
Following a walk to Francis (2), Dean (9) would single to put two aboard. With Bucs at third and second, Francis would bolt homeward and steal home while Dean swiped third.
As Dajuan hustled down the first baseline to reach base on a dropped third strike, Dean would rumble home to plate another run.
After Dajuan advanced to third on a pair of stolen bases, Loyan delivered a RBI single to bring him home.
Expos reliever Daniel (8) had a spirited foray on the mound in the second inning.
Pirates reliever Piper (3) would strike out two in the top of the third to keep the Expos off the scoring ledger and in the exposition.
With one out, Piper was also aided by nice 4-3 putout turned by Expos second baseman Lucas (15) and first baseman Nigel to chalk up the second out of the frame.
The Bucs offense would explode for four in the bottom of the third to 10-8 lead. Following a lead off single by Piper, Lucas and Daniel would garner back to back walks to load the bases. Nigel would draw a RBI walk to plate Piper and pull the Pirates to within one.
With the bases juiced to overflowing, Francis delivered a RBI single to bring Lucas home with the tying run.
Dean followed suit with 2 RBI single that allowed Daniel and Nigel to come homeward and give the Bucs the lead.
Expos reliever Charlie (7) had a spirited foray on the mountain in the third inning.
Refusing to surrender, the gritty Expos rallied for two in the top of the fourth to tie the proceedings 10-10. With one out and the bases loaded [on walks to Theo, Cameron and William], Theo would steal home to pull the Expos within one.
After a two out walk to Elias that reloaded the bases, Andy delivered a clutch RBI single that brought Cameron hom with the tying run.
Rattled, but not stirred, Pirates reliever Nigel (14) would ring up a strike out and induce a pop out to first baseman Daniel to subdue the Expos insurgency in the fourth.
And it was at this juncture where the Pirates came face to face with their moment with destiny in the bottom of the fourth.