Orleans shut down the Blitz offense to notch a 3-1 victory

Orleans shut down the Blitz offense to notch a 3-1 victory
from Derick Bulley

On a warm night in Manotick that saw both pitchers mow down several batters, Chad Hargrove and the Gators nearly shutout the Blitz to take the first half of the home and home series.

The Gators opened the scoring in the first when Joel Langford scored on a Chad Hargrove single after an error kept the inning alive.

The score remained 1-0 untill the forth when Langford stroked a triple to the gap in left centre that cashed in Brian Friesen, who had puched a single through to lead off the inning.

Orleans added an insurance run in the seventh when Matt Alkerton was able to score after another costly error.

Hargrove kept the Blitz off balance all night and would have earned the shutout, were it not for an odd play in the bottom of the seventh. Andrew Bruce got on due to a fielders choice and decided to swipe second. Bruce overshot the bag and continued running to third. The Orleans infield seemed confused by the play and failed to get the out at third, allowing Bruce to steal two bases on one pitch. Bruce later scored on a wildpitch to break the goose egg.

For Orleans, Langford was 3 for 3 with a triple and a run scored and Brian Friesen was 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Chad Hargove had the complete game victory.

For the Blitz, Will Mood was 1 for 3 with a double and Andrew Bruce was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Derick Bulley took the complete game loss.

Pitching lines:

Hargrove (W)– 7IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 1 HB, 13Ks
Bulley (L) - 7IP, 8H, 3R, 1ER, 6BB, 18Ks