A perfect bunt has the Fort Saskatchewan A's in an enviable position at the Canadian senior baseball championship.
Andy Herman did his job for the Alberta team in the bottom of the third inning Friday at Citizen Field in a 3-2 win over the Prince George Westcana Electric Axemen, collecting their second win of the RE/MAX Centre City Baseball Canada Senior championship. Herman's bunt was perfectly placed inside the third base line with two teammates on base with the A's trailing 2-0.
The A's infielder was safe at first when the Axemen overthrew first base and Jason Sutherland scored on the error and Mark Kuzyk advanced to third. Kuzyk eventually scored on a ground ball to tie the game.
An RBI single from Mitch Grossel in the sixth inning brought Dan Chappel home, giving the A's their first lead of the game. The Axemen were unable to generate the needed offence in the top of the seventh to mount a comeback.
The loss leaves the Axemen (1-1) tied with the Windsor Stars (1-1) for second place while the A's sit atop the pool. Nova Scotia (0-2) brings up the rear. The A's and Stars face off today while the Axemen play Nova Scotia. A loss eliminates Nova Scotia.
Prince George started well when designated hitter Graig Merritt walked in the top of the first inning and then scored on Scott Webster's double for the early 1-0 lead. The Axemen made it 2-0 when Brandon Hunter scored from third on a ground ball up the middle in the second inning.
But A's southpaw Jordy Alexander took command from there allowing only three hits over the next five innings to collect the complete game win. Alexander had six strikeouts.
Mitch Hodge took the loss for the Axemen, pitching six innings, allowing six hits with 10 strikeouts.
The Reston Rockets of Manitoba evened their record at 1-1 after a 7-2 win over the Victoria Mavericks (1-1) with a five-run third inning.
The Axemen wrap up pool play at noon today when they face the Halifax Pelham Canadians of Nova Scotia, while the Mavericks play New Brunswick at 9 a.m., while the Rockets face for Ontario 2 on Rotary Field at 9.
