BARRHEAD - The Westlock Red Lions held off a surging Barrhead Orioles squad to narrowly defeat their North Central Alberta Baseball League (NCABL) rivals 10-8 on the road on July 2.
The Red Lions got off to a strong start, scoring the majority of their offence in the first three innings, crossing home plate nine times, largely due to a poor start by Barrhead's starting pitcher, Dylan Moes, who suffered control issues early on, walking 10 batters while only giving up two hits.
On the Barrhead side, everything remained quiet until the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Orioles' bats started to come alive, scoring two runs following a single and two back-to-back doubles. Unfortunately for the home team, they were unable to capitalize on their momentum in the next two innings, leaving runners stranded in both frames.
However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Barrhead's fortunes started to change, loading the bases on three consecutive hits, before two doubles scored four runs.
Regrettably for the home squad, they could not complete the comeback, with Westlock stopping the comeback, recording a strikeout before the Orioles hit two pop-ups to the outfield, leaving the tying runners on base and the potential go-ahead run at bat.
The win puts the Red Lions' record at 10 wins and 2 losses, as they battle the Parkland Twins for the top seed in the NCABL. The loss puts the Orioles' record at 2 wins, 10 losses and 1 tie, in fifth position, one spot out of playoff contention.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
