While rain threatened two of the three 100 Mile Men’s Fastball League games last week, the players persisted in completing the games, and the effort resulted in some significant changes in the standings.
After a 20-minute rain delay on May 28, the Jakes Pub Old Buds and the Sanford Dillman Hornets completed five innings but had to settle for a 5-5 tie.
The tie was significant for the Hornets because it got the monkey off their backs, as they chalked up their first point of the season.
Braydon Sanford doubled and brought two runners across the plate in the bottom of the first inning for the Hornets.
Not to be outdone, his dad, Rob Sanford, also smacked a double and recorded a run batted in (RBI).
Bill Estabrooks pounded a triple and then scored the tying run.
Mitch Payette started on the mound for the Hornets and chucked three innings before being relieved by Reg Hooper who recorded two strikeouts (KOs) in the two innings he pitched.
Jakes got a solid outing from Greg Parent who notched seven KOs in five innings. He also helped his own cause with a double and an RBI.
Steve Almond smacked a triple for the Old Buds and recorded an RBI.
Eventful evening
The following night, the last-place team (Hornets) knocked off the league’s first-place squad, and previously undefeated, Red Rock Grill Avengers by a 10-7 score.
Sanford’s Bob Collens pitched three innings and registered a strikeout, and Hooper chucked the last three innings and the fireballer notched four KOs.
Estabrooks hit another triple and brought two runners across plate.
Chris Edlund hit a double and registered an RBI for the winners.
Brad Mills and Pat Findlay (one KO) shared the pitching duties for Red Rock.
Cale Tessaro hit two singles and scored for the Avengers' offensive highlights, but shortstop Matt Giroday made the defensive play of the night, showing his great range with a spectacular stab at a line drive.
Toughing it out
The Shuswap Defenders and Exeter Sporting Goods completed six innings of exciting ball despite the steady rainfall.
Stumpy Boyce was strong on the mound all game for the Defenders, as he recorded eight KOs.
Shuswap was trailing 6-4 after five-and-a-half innings, but Jason Elliot changed all that when he smacked a two-run double to knot the score at six and then scored himself for the 7-6 victory.
Chad Paterson also pitched a complete game for Exeter and also recorded eight KOs. He topped off that performance by pounding the ball out of the park for a solo home run.
Dylan Pinto played a great game behind the plate while catching Paterson.
Coleman Schoeler had a double and Brian Morman also smacked a double and registered an RBI.
Brian Larson made a stellar catch at third base, while centre-fielder Jay James made a superb catch after a long run.