Hurricanes 2 Spartans 1
Final after twelve innings
The Dublin Hurricanes reached the Irish baseball league finals on Saturday at the O'Malley baseball fields with a exhilarating, dramatic 2-1 extra innings victory. The Spartans scored in the first inning, the Hurricanes in the third, and that was it until late into extra innings. Both teams held their nerves in tough situations.
The Hurricanes defence was under extra pressure as if the Spartans, with home field advantage on the day, scored from the 7th to the 12th inning the game was over. The 'Canes fielders played with nerves of steel. Andy Martin, Steve Divito, Chris Foy, Carlos Melasecca and Eric Valkys turned in some sharp plays as the 'Canes played errorless defence dealing with an assortment of ground balls, pop ups and fly outs. Andy Martin in particular fielded third base beautifully on the day.
Twice the Hurricanes escaped bases loaded situations, however they also had several 1-2-3 innings and played the best defence they have played so far this year.
In the 10th inning the 'Canes elected to walk a Spartans hitter to load the bases with two outs however Captain Steve Divito's strategy worked as the next hitter lifted a lazy fly out to Chris Foy in left, inning over.
The big hit came in the top of the twelfth as Andy Martin smashed a line drive single up the middle scoring Eric Valkys with what would turn out to be the game winning run.
And so the Hurricanes march on. They will face the winner of the Spartans v Greystones in the best of three finals which start in two weeks time.
.
Final after twelve innings
The Dublin Hurricanes reached the Irish baseball league finals on Saturday at the O'Malley baseball fields with a exhilarating, dramatic 2-1 extra innings victory. The Spartans scored in the first inning, the Hurricanes in the third, and that was it until late into extra innings. Both teams held their nerves in tough situations.
The Hurricanes defence was under extra pressure as if the Spartans, with home field advantage on the day, scored from the 7th to the 12th inning the game was over. The 'Canes fielders played with nerves of steel. Andy Martin, Steve Divito, Chris Foy, Carlos Melasecca and Eric Valkys turned in some sharp plays as the 'Canes played errorless defence dealing with an assortment of ground balls, pop ups and fly outs. Andy Martin in particular fielded third base beautifully on the day.
Twice the Hurricanes escaped bases loaded situations, however they also had several 1-2-3 innings and played the best defence they have played so far this year.
In the 10th inning the 'Canes elected to walk a Spartans hitter to load the bases with two outs however Captain Steve Divito's strategy worked as the next hitter lifted a lazy fly out to Chris Foy in left, inning over.
The big hit came in the top of the twelfth as Andy Martin smashed a line drive single up the middle scoring Eric Valkys with what would turn out to be the game winning run.
And so the Hurricanes march on. They will face the winner of the Spartans v Greystones in the best of three finals which start in two weeks time.
.
Comments
Red Sox @ 7/2 for the World Series - good value?? Second favs after the Angels, I think Sox have a stronger top of the rotation (Wake can be on/off depending on what side of the bed he got up on) - I think a punt is essential!