Irish baseball league update: Hurricanes 7 Blacksox 5

Dublin Hurricanes 7 Blacksox 5

Hurricanes veteran Tom Kelley

The Dublin Hurricanes battled the Blacksox to a extra innings 7-5 win today in Shanganah Park, Shankill, improving their record further to 7-3 in a game that was a superb advertisement for Irish baseball. Both teams played in impressive fashion with the veteran Hurricanes ball-club finding a way to win in the clutch.

Andrew Davies shows of the grip for his knuckle curve

The Hurricanes struck first scoring three runs in the first inning but the Blacksox came back in the bottom of the inning to score two of their own. That would set the tone for the day, with the Blacksox taking a lead, the Hurricanes striking back to take their own lead before the Blacksox forced an extra inning by tying the game 5-5 late.

Hurricanes first baseman Chris Foy takes a well earned rest after the game

The Hurricanes held their nerve and scored two huge runs in the extra inning to take the lead 7-5. The Blacksox managed to get runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the inning however the 'Canes knuckled down and shut the door to finish the game and come out 7-5 winners. This pushes the 'Canes record to 7-3 as we turn into the home stretch of the 2008 Irish baseball season.

For the 'Canes on the day there were several stand out performances. The Hurricanes infield played excellent defence, Andy Davies at third make several big outs look easy while Steve Divito and Andy Martin played flawless, veteran infield baseball. First baseman Chris Foy kept the ship running steadily scooping everything up effortlessly. Chris also scored a couple of runs.

Offensively the two big hits came off the bats of Dioni Guerra and Andrew Davies. Dioni drove in two big runs in the first while Andrew knocked in the two winning runs in the eight. Kevin Richards got that inning off to a flying start with a big walk.

Tommy Hernandez played a solid game, particularly when you consider he played the first half of the game in sneakers, on wet turf!

.Tommy shows off his sneakers

Big win in a tight, exciting game. The Hurricanes have set themselves up nicely for the home stretch by winning on the Blacksox home turf.

TK reads out the 'B' team lineup after the 'A' league game. Sideways.

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