Barwick undefeated, RR eliminated from playoffs

Ken Johnston

Great pitching by George Oltsher and strong offense by Vaughn Wilson were the key to his team’s 4-1 victory over Rainy River last Tuesday night in the second round of the playoffs.
It was scoreless after one. However, A lead off double by Vaughn Wilson in the top of the second fired up the boys from Barwick. Oltsher hit a single and advanced Wilson to third. Rainy’s pitcher, Murray Armstrong then retired Will Derksen and Jason Kellar, the latter on strikes.
With those two outs in the bag, it seemed as though Armstrong had saved the inning. Then he threw a pitch in the dirt to designated hitter Vince McGee. Wilson scored to put Barwick ahead 1-0. Armstrong quickly made work of the next batter to end the inning.
Rainy tried to rally back in the bottom of the inning but were shut down by Oltsher who struck out one and saw his infield catch Darren Davidson at second with a force play and Cam Hanson at first.
In the top of the third, Armstrong retired the first two batters on fly balls. Then Vaughn Wilson threatened again hitting a triple. But Armstrong was not about to let him score again and retired Oltsher to end the top half of the inning.
Rainy was again held scoreless in the third.
Both teams would then fall prey to great pitching. Armstrong faced eight batters in the the next two innings, not allowing anyone to score. Oltsher faced only seven, again shutting Rainy down.
On the first pitch of the sixth Vaughn Wilson did more than threaten, he hit a home run! Later in the inning Will Derksen would score to make it 3-0.
In the bottom of the inning, Don Gall followed Wilson’s lead and hit a homerun to put Rainy on the board. But then Oltsher made quick work of the rest of the batters, retiring three in a row.
Top of seven, Travis Derksen picked up his first homer of the year to cap Barwick’s victory at 4-1. Rainy went three up, three down in the bottom of the inning.
Rainy then faced Sight And Sound last Thursday and lost, 11-3, effectively ending their season.
Big Grassy defeated Pinewood 12-6 and Barwick defeated Stratton.
Big Grassy faces Stratton tonight and Barwick travels to Fort Frances to play the league champs, Sight and Sound.