Pirates Sweep Split Double Dip in Extras
One thing is true about all teams in the ECABL: They love playing baseball. The Pirates showed this by not only playing a double header on Sunday, but taking both games into extra innings to get the job done. This time, they beat the Mariners 6-5 in nine innings.
On the heels of an inspiring come-from-behind win against the Phillies earlier in the day, the Pirates jumped out to a quick 4-o lead on the strength of the hot bats of Eastwood Adare, Jeff Francis and Cliff Goodband.
Unfortunately, the adrenaline rush wore off as they waltzed through the next seven innings without much of fight. Meanwhile, the Mariners were able to scrape a few runs here and there off starter Paul Benson with the help of some sloppy defense.
“We came out strong,” said Walter Jacobson. “I think fatigued crept in a little in the middle of the game. We just weren’t crisp. We lost our focus a little.”
Fortunately, Benson was strong enough to keep the Mariners at bay until the eighth inning when the Mariners were able to manufacture a run with the help of a walk, an error and a sacrifice fly. However, the PPoP made some Kelley Field magic of their own in the bottom half of the inning by finding all the divots in the infield.
“This field can be tough,” said Max Bogaert, who finished the day with two hits and few RBIs. “If you put the ball on the ground, well, there isn’t a true hop on this field.”
In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and a man on first, the Pirates had the meat of their order coming up. Bogaert found one of those famous infield lips for a single. Francis followed with a rip. The bases were loaded for Goodband.
Like in the second game of the season, Goodband laced the first pitch he saw into left field bringing home Adare, ending a long day of baseball with another classic walk-off win.
“Today was exhausting,” said Goodband. “It has been an up-and-down season for me. I am just glad I could come through today.”
“Our three-four-five guys may clog the bases,” said Jacobson, “but they are going to put at-bats on you all day. We always feel good with those guys at the plate. I am just glad I didn’t have to step to the plate in that situation. I mean, the Mariners should be glad.”
