On a cold June night at Don Beer Memorial Park, the Pickering Red Sox were able to walk-off East York, winning the ballgame 7-6 in 11 innings.

Shaun Slemko got the start for Pickering in this one - and he went 5 innings, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits, while not issuing a walk and striking out three.  He left the game after C Devin Connelly hit a solo HR for East York to lead off the top of the sixth inning, putting East York up 5-2 at the time.

The three-run Bulldogs lead was short-lived, as C Jack Lang hit his 2nd HR of the season, a big three-run shot to even the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The combination of Avi Arantharajah (2.1IP), and Dakota Denby (0.2 IP) were able to work three scoreless innings out of the pen for Pickering, allowing the Red Sox to take a 6-5 lead into the top of the ninth inning, turning the ball over to Sean Molony.  Unfortunately for Pickering, DH Quinn Cumming came through for East York, knocking an opposite field double down the LF line, scoring RF Lenny Wood from first base, tying the game at 6.  Molony would escape the inning without any further damage.

Both teams would go quietly in the 10th inning - but the Sox were hanging on by a thread in East York's top of the 10th inning.  The Bulldogs loaded the bases with none out against P Corey Jeffery - but he was able to induce a groundball from East York clean-up hitter Drew Roberts that started a 1-6-3 double play, placing runners at 2nd and 3rd with two outs.  From there, he was able to strike-out OF Bryan Pyper to end the threat.

In the bottom of the 10th, the Red Sox were unable to take advantage of a HBP of Jesse Dynes from Quinn Cumming.  P Brad Binns, who was set to make a rare relief appearance in the top of the 11th if required, was called on to pinch-hit for Jeffery - but he failed to advance Dynes on a sac-bunt attempt, resulting in a force-out at second.  C Jack Lang continued to swing the bat well, lacing a hard line drive single - but the Red Sox failed to push a run across.

Binns worked a quick 1-2-3 top of the 11th inning, setting up the final at bat for Pickering.  The first two hitters were retired quickly by Quinn Cumming, before MI Yusuke Oshima kept the dream alive, blooping a single into CF.  OF Steve Correia followed suit with a single of his own, setting the stage for Jesse Dynes, who lined a ball into RF, scoring Oshima from second base for the walk-off win - who barely made it to home on a face-plant of a slide.

Interesting Game Notes

  • C Jack Lang hit his second HR of the season
  • IF Sean Molony made his second appearance on the mound for Pickering
  • CF Eric Wilton went 2-5, 2B, RBI
  • Every player on the bench was used for Pickering in this game
  • Pickering relievers combined for 6 innings, allowing a single run
  • P Brad Binns had to run to his car to go get his bat and helmet in extra innings.  He proceeded to fail on a sac bunt attempt in said AB.
  • Next up: @ Martingrove, Thursday, June 7th, 7:30pm