86’ers advance; Hawks take command

Grouard 86’ers outfielder Brydon Giroux is congratulated at home plate after slugging a home run in the first game of their series against the Peavine Boyz July 15.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

They will have a chance to make it four straight championships. The Grouard 86’ers advanced to the finals in the High Prairie Men’s Fastball League July 22 after a 9-3 win over the Peavine Boyz. The three-time defending champions won the first two games of the series 17-11 and 11-5 to sweep the series. Meanwhile, the Whitefish Lake Hawks upset the first place Peavine Rangers 6-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the other semi-final. The Hawks won the first game 6-5 but were blasted 15-6 in the second game as neither team has tasted victory at home. At press time it’s not know when the series will resume pending the untimely death in the family of one of the players, the High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo July 29-30 and a subsequent tournament in British Columbia. The Boyz faced an uphill battle in the game against the 86’ers after starting pitcher Lindsay Cunningham could not attend because of work. If the Boyz had any chance of winning they had to score first but Lindsey Laderoute was thrown out at home plate on a perfect relay in the first inning to end their rally. The 86’ers responded in their half of the first inning with five runs. Rollie Gladue blasted a three-run homer with Peter Keay and Bruce Cunningham on base and the 86’ers were rolling. Ralphie Courtoreille singled and scored on Huckle Giroux’s double, which bounced off the outfield fence and back into play. He later scored on Ian Giroux’s RBI single as the 86’ers sent 10 men to the plate in the first inning. Bruce Cunningham hit a solo home run in the second inning. Ralphie Courtoreille singled and eventually scored on a throwing error in the third and the 86’ers were ahead 7-0. The Boyz scored twice in the fourth inning. Stewart Cunningham doubled with one out and scored on Nathan Gladue’s RBI single. He later advanced to second and scored on Derrick Shaw’s RBI single. The 86’ers scored twice in the fourth inning without the benefit of a hit. Boyz starting pitcher Mitchell Cunningham was running out of gas. After an error opened the inning, he walked Bruce Cunningham and hit Rollie Gladue with a pitch to load the bases. Ralphie Courtoreille was then plunked by a pitch for an easy RBI. Huckle Giroux then walked scoring another run. Mitchell Cunningham’s RBI single scored Derrick Shaw in the seventh inning. The 86’ers scored their nine runs on only six hits. However, they drew eight walks and reached base four other times after being hit by pitches. The Boyz scored three runs on only five hits.

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