Putting in a little extra work paid off for the Duncan Masters fastball team as they earned a pair of extra-innings wins over Baker Supply over the last two weeks.
Both the June 13 and June 20 games against Baker Supply at Glenora’s Waldon Park went to an eighth inning, and both times, the home team came through in the clutch.
After seven scoreless innings on June 13, Duncan got the lone run of the game across the plate in extras to win 1-0. Blair Bourgeault got his first hit of the night in his third at-bat, bringing home Trevor Gicas, who started the eighth on second base, as per international rules.
Tylor Branzsen went 2-for-2 on the night, while Joey Massingham was 2-for-3 in a surprise appearance for the Duncan team.
“He got on twice just putting the ball down and running it out,” Duncan manager Joe DiLalla said.
Craig Snyder pitched for the Masters, giving up just two hits while striking out 15. Snyder also went 1-for-3 at the plate.
A week later, Gicas came in as a pinch hitter in the eighth and came through with a base hit to score Dave Devana, who started the inning on second, giving Duncan a 3-2 win over Baker’s.
Duncan trailed most of the game, scoring the tying run in the sixth despite not recording a hit in that inning.
“It was a good game,” DiLalla said. “We kind of lucked out a bit.”
Devana also went 1-for-3 with an RBI at the plate, and Dave Wiley was 2-for-3 with a run. Sam Aldridge pitched for Duncan, allowing four hits and striking out 10.
At least four Duncan players will be in action this weekend as the Nanaimo Senior Men’s Fastball League all-stars host the New Zealand national team for three games at Cedar’s Wheatsheaf fields. The teams will play at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Snyder, Trevor and Jamie Gicas and Dan Whiteford will suit up for the NSMFL team.