West Carleton Electric comes back to defeat Carp

In GOFL action Tuesday night in Fitzroy Harbour, the home town West Carleton Electric came back to defeat I4C Victory in eight innings by a score of 5-4 to take a two games to none lead in the best-of-five playoff series.

Andy Barber had the win for Fitzroy in relief of starter Steve Cavanagh, while Neil Cooke went the distance for Carp.

Carp got off to an early start. Shawn Simzer hit the first pitch he saw to the gap for a double, reaching third when the ball was misplayed. Kevin McGuire hit the first pitch he saw out of the park to make it 2-0 for I4C. After back to back walks to Matt McNish and Tony MacDonald, with two out Al Read stroked a single to left, but McNish was thrown out at plate by a good toss from Derek Barber to end the rally.

I4C got another run in the second on Neil Cooke's solo home run to centre.

Carp threatened again in the fifth. Adam Fleming was hit by a pitch with one out. MacDonald and Cooke both singled to load the bases, with a pop up in between. With the bases loaded and two out, Fitzroy made the pitching change, taking out Cavanagh to bring in Andy Barber. Barber struck out the next batter to end the Carp chance.

Through six innings, WC Electric only had three hits. However, down 3-0, they rallied for three in the bottom of the seventh. After a strike out, Neil Murphy singled. Jeff Cavanagh's double scored Murphy and when Cavanagh took third on the throw to the plate, the ball was misplayed allowing Cavanagh to score to get the 'Trics within one. After another strikeout, Troy Wilson hit a solo homer to tie the game and force extra innings.

With the international rule in place, it looked like Carp wouldn't get a run. Barber got the first batter to fly out, and the next batter to ground out, moving the runner to third. When Simzer's comebacker went directly to the pitcher it seemed that I4C would go scoreless - however the ball was bobbled allowing the runner to score. McGuire then singled putting two men on. The Electric opted to give McNish the intentional walk and load the bases, a move that worked as the next batter struck out.

Fitzroy had their chance to respond in the bottom of the eighth. With Charlie Ross starting the inning on second, Dave Bahm sac bunted him to third. Ross then scored on Andy Barber's double. Barber took third on the throw in which was slightly off target. I4C decided to give Jon Daley the intentional walk, bringing Trevor Barton to the plate. Barton's walk off single ended the game 5-4 for Fitzroy Harbour.

For his relief pitching performance, hitting hte game tying RBI and scoring of the game winning run, Andy Barber again is the winner of the Caveman's Choice as player of the game.

Fitzroy
WP Andy Barber 3.1IP 1R 0ER 2H 6K 1IBB
Steve Cavanagh 4.2IP 3R 3ER 9H 3K 3BB 1HBP

Andy Barber 1-4, 2B, RBI, R
Jon Daley 2-3, 2B, BB
Trevor Barton 1-3, RBI
Neil Murphy 1-2, sac, R
Jeff Cavanagh 1-3, 2B, RBI
Troy Wilson 1-3, HR, RBI, R
Dave Bahm 1-2, 3B, sac

Carp
Neil Cooke 7.1IP 5R 5ER 8H 9K 1IBB

Shawn Simzer 1-5, 2B, R
Kevin  McGuire 3-4, BB, HR, SB, 2RBI, R
Matt McNish 1-3, 2BB, SB
Tony MacDonald 2-3, BB
Al Read 2-4, 2B
Neil Cooke 2-4, HR, RBI, R