Weekend Irish 'A' league report - 14/07/07

'A' league fixture
Dublin Hurricanes v Blacksox
Saturday 14th July 2007

Hurricanes 3 Blacksox 2

The Blacksox and Hurricanes met for the second week running in another crucial Irish Baseball league 'A' league fixture. Both teams needed the win in the chase for second place behind the Spartans.

Shanganah Park provided the pretty, if slightly unusual, backdrop for the game. The 50 days straight rain that has afflicted Ireland the last while took a temporary break and it was a fine, sunny morning.

Niall Rowen and Cormac Eklof faced off again for the second week running for the Sox and the 'Canes respectively. The Hurricanes were missing Tom Kelley (ankle), Chris Foy (back) and Richard Meade (wallet). The 'Canes were first off the mark, taking a 1-0 lead they protected for several innings. Eklof managed to get the leadoff batter in all but one inning and the defence was excellent behind him. The Blacksox mounted a minor assault in the third but with Eoin O'Connor on base Brian Connolly hit into a inning ending double play turned niftily by Steve Divito and Andy Martin.

The Hurricanes added another run late and took a 2-0 lead into the seventh when the Blacksox bats finally woke up. They pushed across two runs and the Hurricanes escaped the inning with the winning run poised on third when Eklof struck out Johnny Bohan to send the teams into extra innings tied at 2-2.

In the 8th inning Steve Divito drove in Chris McIsaac to push the Canes ahead 3-2. It was the Blacksox turn to escape out of further danger with Alex Bettancourt caught attempting to steal home. The terrified Blacksox catcher managed to apply the tag with big Alex rumbling home just a step late.

This time the Hurricanes made no mistake sealing the deal as Eklof brought his strikeout total to 13 on the day, striking out the side in the bottom of the extra inning to end the exciting, well played game.

After a slow start the Hurricanes are now neck and neck with the Blacksox vying for second place in the run in to the 2007 Irish League playoffs.



The 2007 Irish Baseball League 'A' league Standings
Team
Played
Won
Lost
W/O
Points
A League
Spartans
10
10
0
0
40
Black Sox
10
6
4
0
28
Hurricanes
9
5
4
0
24
Mariners
8
3
5
0
17
Northstars
5
2
3
0
11
Twins
10
0
10
0
10

'B' League encounter
Hurricanes 13 Blacksox 6

Woody Woodburne led the 'B' squad to their fifth straight win 13-6 over the Blacksox 'B' on Saturday afternoon in Shanganah. After starting the season 0-2 the 'Baby Canes' are now top of the 'B' division.

B League
Hurricanes
7
5
2
0
22
Mariners
6
4
1
0
21
Spartans
5
1
4
0
8
Black Sox
6
1
5
0
9



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