On a gorgeous Summer day at New Scotland, the Giants and Golden Marlins battled into extra innings to decide a very important game for the 45+ standings.
The Marlins would get off to a flying start, in the top of the first, with 3 runs off of Giants starter Jimmy Konstantakis. A Randy Craft walk and stolen base, and a Ron Lochner RBI single plated the first run. Mike Ferraro walked and John Latorre delivered a two-run double, to make it 3-0.
The Fish would make it 4-0, in the top of the second, when Mike Clary led off with a single, Bob Coffey bunted him to second, and Tom Maney singled him home.
The Giants would cut that lead in half, in the bottom of the third, on a lead-off single by Jimmy K, a misplayed fly ball to right, and consecutive RBI singles by Steve Lounello and Doug Reisenger.
The Golden Marlins would restore the lead to 4, in the top of the 5th, on a walk and steal by Maney, a single and a steal by Mike Girard, and a two RBI single by Ron Lochner.
The Giants would show a lot of heart pushing 4 runs accross in the bottom of the sixth, with a single by Mike Kane, Jimmy K reaching on an error, and 4 consecutive singles by Tony Nardacci, Paul Scuteri, Steve Lounello, and Doug Reisenger. The Giants would have gotten a 1 run lead in the frame if not for a perfect relay throw from Tom Maney to Randy Craft, who wheeled and nailed Mike Kane at the plate.
Both teams were unable to score in the seventh inning, and on to extras the game went, with the score tied at 6.
Randy Craft led off the eighth, for the Marlins, with a single and a stolen base. Girard moved Craft to third with one out by grounding out to second. Ron Lochner singled Craft home, with his fourth RBI of the day. Courtesy runner, Girard then stole second.
Mike Ferraro singled Girard to third, and John Latorre drove him in with a single (his third RBI of the game).
It was good for the Marlins that they got 2, in the top of the 8th, because the Giants were not done. They got a one out walk by Steve Lounello and Reisinger reached first on a fielders choice. He would come around to score on an error. With two outs and the tying run at second, Phil Gadomski got Billy Smith on a soft liner to short to end the game.
These two teams square off again in two weeks, in a double-header, that will go a long way toward deciding the all important top seed in the 45+ division. Can't wait for that!