CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Logan Gallant hit a walk-off single through the left side of the infield Tuesday to score Taylor Larkin in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Morell Chevies struck first in their Kings County Baseball League semifinal with the Peakes Tee Bombers.
Game 2 of the best-of-five series goes Sunday at 2 p.m. in Peakes.
Game 1 saw the Chevies jump out early, the Bombers storm back to take the lead before Morell claimed the 8-7 victory at Memorial Field in Charlottetown.
The Chevies opened the scoring in the second inning after Nathan Jones walked and advanced to second when a pickoff throw got away at first. Matt Barlow scored him with a single to centre. Larkin walked and stole second and Barlow scored as the throw ended up in centre field. Scott Harper drove in Larkin with a single to make it 3-0.
The Bombers responded with one in the third as Colin Myers hit a leadoff single and scored on Tyson McInnis’ groundout. They cut the deficit to one in the next inning as Connor Myers hit a leadoff single and Jack MacKenzie scored after pinch running for him.
The Chevies looked to take command of the game in the fifth inning as Darcy Affleck had a three-run double with two outs to make it 6-2.
The Bombers responded with five runs on seven hits in the sixth inning.
Colin Myers scored two with a double and Mitch Power had an RBI single to chase starter Troy Coffin. Dillon Doucette singled off Gallant to tie the game and Tyson McInnis gave the Bombers the 7-6 lead with a single.
The Chevies threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one out, but were unable to cash in the tying run.
Doucette struck out the first two batters in the seventh inning before Barlow walked. Larkin tied the game with a double down the left-field line and the Bombers intentionally walked Harper, setting the stage for Gallant’s game-winning hit.
Gallant earned the win, giving up six hits and striking out three in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Coffin allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked four.
Doucette was tagged with the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in two innings of relief. He struck out five and walked three. MacKenzie gave up six runs in five innings. He walked seven and struck out two.
Gallant and Harper were each 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI for the Chevies while Logan MacDougall added a double.
Colin Myers went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI for Peakes while Rob Phelan went 3-for-4 and Power was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and an RBI.
Both teams observed a moment of silence before the game for Francis (Junior) O’Brien and Catherine (Cattie) King.
Game 1 of the other series goes Wednesday night in Stratford between the top-seeded The Alley Stratford Athletics and the fourth-place Cardigan Clippers. Game time is 8 p.m.
