It all came down to the very last out, but the George Brown Huskies (2-3) could not solve the Durham Lords (5-2) in a record-breaking game for the OCAA. With a combined 37 runs between the two teams, the OCAA record for most combined runs in a game was increased by two from its previous 35. Unfortunately for the Huskies, they ended up being on the wrong side of the final 19-18 scoreline in Game 1 of its double header on Wednesday night (Sept. 14) at Christie Pits.
HOW IT HAPPENED - GM1: The Huskies home opener got fans at the Pits off their seats early, with Durham opening the scoring off a 3-run triple by Ryan Mattes. The home team responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring two of their own off a Brady Wagenhoffer (2nd Year) 2-run homerun, his second homerun of the season and eighth RBI in five games. The back and forth battle continued, with Durham taking its biggest lead coming out of their half of the 4th, but not before another outfield bomb by Wagenhoffer (3 RBI), stretching the Durham Lead to 12-5. But the Huskies would respond, again off a big bat, this time it was Carlos Acosta (2nd Year) who would clear the fence on a 3-run homerun of his own and the Huskies ended the inning closing the gap to 12-9.
The runs would continue to pour in from both sides through the 5th and 6th inning, with George Brown coming up big in the bottom of the sixth with a six-run stanza thanks to four hits, and two wild pitches and one error by the Lords. They headed into the 7th down only one run, 18-17.
With two outs and the bases loaded, an infielding error resulted in the Lords capitalizing with an unearned run to bump the lead to 19-17. On the same misplay, Wagenhoffer was quick on his feet to throw out a second Lords playing also going for home on the same play to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 7th, George Brown threatened again. After a Tyler Romandel (2yr Year) stolen base, Wagenhoffer collected his seventh RBI of the evening on a single into the outfield, scoring Romandel. After a Carlos Acosta single (reached on error) and stolen base, the Huskies found themselves with runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs. The Huskies comeback would end just one run short, falling to Durham 19-18, with Gregory Hall (5th Year) striking out looking on a tough pitch to end the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED - GM2: George Brown would not let the end of Game 1 of its doubleheader dictate the pace of Game 2, taking an early 2-1 lead coming out of the 1st inning. Another Brady Wagenhoffer RBI, a double, would hold the Huskies lead to one coming out of the 3rd with a score of 4-3 in favor of George Brown. Durham would the come alive at the top of the 4th, notching six hits in the inning and benefiting from two wild pitches to open up the score to 9-3 off the five run inning.
George Brown would respond in a big way, scoring seven runs over the next two innings, including five in the 5th thanks in large part to three doubles off the bats of Carlos Acosta, and 1st year Huskies Brendan Nolet and Finlay Butler. The home squad would head into the 6th up 11-8. In the top of the 6th inning Gregory Hall entered the game in relief of rookie pitcher Nathan Long, and left runners stranded on 2nd and 3rd after recording three straight outs to close down the side - an infield fly out and two strikeouts. The Lords Ryan Mattes would make quick work of the Huskies in the bottom of the inning, the home team going three-up three-down heading into the final frame.
Before the first pitch could be thrown in the 7th, the game was suspended by officials due to pending darkness with the Huskies in the lead 11-8. The conclusion of the game will be played on Saturday October 1st at 10am at Wishing Well Park*.
UP NEXT: George Brown returns to Christie Pits for its second home game in a row on Wednesday September 21st, where they will face league newcomers Sheridan College. Sheridan currently holds a record of 2-5-1, with a current three game losing streak. First pitch of the double header is scheduled for 5pm. The game will also be available on our Livestream channel!
*Please note, the conclusion of the game will not be Livestreamed, but Live Stats however will be available for real-time updates.
