Rainy wins first playoff game while top team loses

Ken Johnston

It’s the world series of baseball, Rainy River District style!
The Rainy River District Fastball League began its playoffs last Thursday evening.
Rainy River Legion, who defeated Sight and Sound in their last regular season game (last Tuesday), but not by enough to clinch first place, did earn home field advantage except against Sight and Sound. They had to win by five last Tuesday but only won 3-2.
Rainy’s first game was against the Pinewood Bears Thursday.
It was close most of the game. Rainy’s league leading hurler, Murray Armstrong, was true to form, putting the first twelve batters he faced out; five of which were strike-outs.
Pinewood’s pitcher, Clint Armstrong, also pitched well the first five innings. He allowed only two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Matt Ashworth and Jim Chorney scored for RR with Murray Armstrong earning two RBIs.
In the fifth Tom Armstrong scored off a hit by Ken Vogan to bring the Bears within one. Clint Armstrong only had to face four batters in the bottom of the fifth and one of them was stranded at first. After five it was 2-1 for Rainy.
Top of the sixth Pinewood retired after four batters. However, in the bottom of the inning Rainy exploded and scored seven runs. That secured victory for Rainy as Pinewood could not rally in the seventh. Scoring for RR was Don Gall, Matt Ashworth, Murray Armstrong, Marty Armstrong, Darren Davidson, Walter Wagner and Matt Bartlett. Gall and Ashworth each earned 2 RBIs and Bartlett earned one.
Rainy won 9-1.
In other action, Stratton upset Sight and Sound 8-7, sending the league champs to the B side of the pool where they have to win to stay alive.
Big Grassy beat Red Gut Bay 13-11.
Barwick beat Big Island 18-4
Playoffs continue tonight at 6:30 p.m. with Barwick at Rainy River, Stratton at Big Grassy, Pinewood at Big Island and Red Gut Bay at Sight and Sound.The last four teams have to win to stay alive. Losers of those games are out.