9-9 tie highlights new rivalry

During an early-season game, an exciting new rivalry was established in the Junior Major League Mustang Division between the Braves, sponsored by West River Health Care and Orioles, sponsored by M&D Oral Surgeons. The Braves were the visiting team and took an early lead in the first inning with consecutive singles by Aidan Deschaine, followed by Nick Manganiello’s RBI hit. The No. 3 hitter Tim Samson walked and was followed by an RBI single by Rune McCallum. The Braves took a 4-0 lead on a two-run double by Jacob Colin, which knocked in Samson and McCallum. The Orioles scored a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Josh Baker, who knocked in Jeremy Goulden after his lead-off single. Orioles’ pitcher Goulden then held the Braves scoreless in the second inning, despite a leadoff double by Jay Hilton, on solid infield defensive plays. David Fabian hit a solid RBI double in the second to score Josh Bacon, who reached on a lead-off walk, as the Orioles scored one more run in the second inning for a 4-2 lead before Braves’ pitcher Samson retired the side. The Braves top of the order produced in the third inning, with a leadoff double by Manganiello, followed by RBI singles by Samson, McCallum and Colin. The Orioles’ Joe Mester turned a huge double play on a line drive catch and force out at first base to end the inning and hold the Braves to only three more runs and a 7-2 lead in the top of the third. In the bottom of the third inning, The Orioles sent the top of their lineup to the plate, where Goulden led off with a single, followed by a Baker walk bringing Devin Sorraco to the plate with no outs. Sorraco drove the ball to the deep right-center gap sending the Braves outfielders running and clearing the bases with a momentum swinging home run. The Braves changed pitchers and Manganiello, after a single by Brian Massey, retired the next six batters he faced in third and fourth innings with five strikeouts to hold the Orioles at bay, down 7-5. Baker retired the Braves in order in the fourth and fifth innings, allowing the Orioles to bring the top of their line up to the plate in the fifth trailing by two runs. Goulden came to the plate with one out and ripped a triple, followed by a RBI single by Baker. Sorraco and Massey each had key RBI hits to drive in a run each and tie the game. Trevor Goodwin then drilled a two-run single to center field to score Sorraco and Massey giving the Orioles their first lead of the game at 9-7. Manganiello recovered to strike out the next two batters and bring the Braves to the plate in their final inning, trailing by two runs against Baker. Baker, who had retired six in a row via strike out, faced Samson to lead off the inning. With a two strike count, Samson ripped a hard hit ball down the left field line that carried to the fence. He rounded the bases and scored for a solo home run and brought the Braves within one run. Rune McCallum followed with a triple on a hard hit ball to right center. Colin then hit an RBI single to tie the game. Colin advanced to third, but Baker was able to hold off the Braves by striking out the next three batters. The Braves’ Aiden Deschaine made his pitching debut in the sixth inning, attempting to hold the Orioles from scoring. After a lead off strike out, Deschaine walked the next two batters before a second strike out. With the winning runner on third base, Deschaine faced the dangerous Goulden and struck him out on four pitches to send the game to extra innings. The game reached its time limit, so it will be continued in extra innings, at a date to be determined. As it stands now, the winner would take possession of first place in the competitive Mustang (9-10) Division.

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