RR fastball team could win it all tonight

Ken Johnston
Editor

It could have gone either way. That was the consensus from the fans at the semi-final game between Rainy River and Sight and Sound of Fort Frances Thursday evening.
Rainy River Legion Royals were the only unbeaten team in the playoffs Thursday after defeating Barwick 7-2 Tuesday. Sight and Sound had to win to keep their hopes alive for the league crown.
The game was tight right up to the 4th inning with neither team putting a mark on the score board. Then in the top of the fourth Sight and Sound’s Duane Carlson hit a double with only one out. Stepping up to the call to bring him home was Leroy Wilson. Wilson cranked a homerun to score two.
In the bottom of the inning Rainy was shut down again by Sight’s starting pitcher, Harvey Flammand.
The Royal’s appeared to be tiring allowing Ed Vold, Garry Noga, Brian Smith and Derek McKinnon all the reach. However the latter two base runners hit grounders that saw Vold thrown out in a force at second and Noga in a force at third. Royals ace chucker then struck out Duane Carlson to save the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth Flammand fell apart walking the first two batters to set Don Gall up to be a hero. He batted one out of the park to score three and put Rainy on top 3-2. Sight and Sound then changed their pitcher to Leroy Wilson. He made quick work of the next three batters to end the inning.
Armstrong did the same at the top of the sixth allowing only Leroy Wilson to first before striking out two and forcing a fly out to keep the game at 3-2.
Rainy’s Al Pratt hit a grounder right down the first base line that was called fair by umpire Peanut Arnould. In the mire of the call which right fielder Garry Noga thought was foul, Pratt’s speed saw him reach second base.
With the play stopped an excitable Noga voiced his disdain with the call and shortly thereafter Arnould ejected him from the game.
Brent Anderson then hit a single. Rainy seemed set to increase their lead and did that they did when slugger Guy Arpin stepped up to the plate and hit a double to score Pratt.
In the top of the seventh Sight and Sound grounded out their first two at bats. Then Derek McKinnon reached first. However the next batter was struck out and that ended the game with RR on top 4-2.
Tonight Rainy River faces last year’s defending champions the Emo Bulldogs. Rainy has not faced the Bulldogs in the playoffs as of yet, but the Bulldogs do have one loss to their credit. Since the playoffs are double elimination Emo would have to win tonight and again Thursday to win it all. Rainy only has to beat them once.
The game is in Rainy River tonight and all fans are welcome to attend.