Stingers Can’t Hold Lead in Second Meeting with McGill
Concordia Can’t Make Early Lead Stick, Fall In Walkoff Fashion
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Despite a quality four and two-thirds inning outing from starting pitcher Sam Brochu and a three-run double by catcher Dario Vincelli, the Stingers could not hold their early edge, falling to the McGill Redmen 4-3.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, McGill second baseman Sam Savoie came to the plate with his team down three to one. Savoie hit a ground ball down the third base line that took a bad hop right over the glove of third baseman Michael Makarios.
This was a rare base-runner for McGill. Brochu had been giving them trouble to that point.
“[Brochu] threw 80 pitches for us today,” said Concordia head coach Howard Schwartz. “He did a great job for us.”
In the next at bat, catcher Christopher Stanford hit a double that put Redmen on second and third base with still just one out.
That was where the troubles began for the Stingers.
First baseman Gabe Hamilton wasted no time coming through for the Redmen, lining a double to left field which easily scored the two runners and tied the game up at three.
“They deserved those runs in the fourth,” said Schwartz. “They hit the ball well—credit to them.”
With the game tied, both sides were looking to get runners on base and scratch out a run to take the lead. While the two teams managed to get opportunities with runners in scoring position, neither could get a hit in clutch situations late in the game.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Redmen came to bat with the walkoff in order. Quickly, they were able to get runners on second and third with one out.
Schwartz called on pitcher Sam Belisle-Springer to get his team out of the tight situation. That—however—was not to be. A passed ball brought in the runner from third base, clinching the four to three walk off win for McGill.
Despite the tough loss, Schwartz was encouraged by what he saw from his offence over their last three outings.
“What we saw Sunday [against Carleton] and today is what you’re going to see from now on,” said Schwartz. “We’re starting to hit the ball well and have really good at bats.”
The Stingers will turn around quickly and try to get their record back up to .500 when they face the Université de Montréal Carabins on Thursday night at Trudeau Park. Their first meeting since Concordia’s incredible come from behind win two weeks ago.
“Hopefully we can stay focused and approach tomorrow’s game as we did today,” said Stingers first baseman Stefan Brady. “If we play the same game as we did today, we should get out of there with a good, clean win.”
