Selects vs. Jays
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The script was unchanged for game two of the Selects-Jays quarterfinal series, with the Selects taking a two-run lead into the final inning only to be disappointed by a three-run rally from the favoured Jays.
The game's starting pitchers again held the offenses in check through the first two innings before the Jays opened the scoring in the top of the third. Chad Annis hit a leadoff single and Jeff Laythorpe laid down a bunt. Selects hurler Chad Fink jumped on the ball and tried to get Annis at second, but he was ruled safe. Justin Krulicki then hit a towering fly ball to left, but Brad Dowling made the catch and fired a strike to third to nail Annis trying to advance. With two outs, Justin Clayfield replicated his game one game-winner, bouncing one up the middle to score Laythorpe and give the Jays a 1-0 lead. The Selects answered in the bottom half of the inning, however, as Kevin Ryrie stroked a two-out double and Jamie Ridley delivered a clutch RBI single to knot the game at one apiece.
After a scoreless fourth, the Selects went back to work in the bottom of the fifth. Mike Brown poked a leadoff single and Ryrie followed with one of his own. Ridley then notched another RBI single, cashing Brown, and Mike Welton singled up the middle to score Ryrie, giving the Selects a 3-1 lead and putting them three outs away from evening the series. Alas, in the 2012 Selects season, nothing has seemed quite that simple.
Clayfield bounced a ground-rule double over the fence in right-centre to lead off the top of the sixth and Jeff Kolb drew a walk. After an Al Taylor pop out, Kevin Matthews also worked a walk to load the bases with one out. Tim Bartram then delivered the decisive blow with a bases-clearing double to right. Shayne Reipert, on in relief, got the Selects in order to preserve the 4-3 win and end the Selects season.
Chad Fink threw a great game in the loss, allowing just four hits over six innings and getting some spectacular defense behind him. In addition to the aforementioned Dowling double play, Zack Anstett made a shoestring grab at a full sprint in left, Brown made a sliding stab in the left-centre gap, and Ridley pounced on a ball that ricocheted off of Fink for the unconventional 1-5-3 putout. All in all, it was a great series and we wish the Jays all the best in their quest for the KFL crown.
As always, the Selects would like to thank their friends, family, and fans for their support throughout the year. Though the early exit still stings right now, we'll be back and as hungry as ever in 2013. See you then.
MVP: Chad Fink, P