Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders designated hitter Nick MacPhail, 42, awaits a pitch during Game 1 of the best-of-seven New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL) semifinal series against the Fredericton Royals on Sept. 6. MacPhail delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. The Islanders won the game, played before a big crowd at Memorial Field in Charlottetown, by a 5-2 score. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentIt wasn’t easy, but the regular-season-champion Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders opened the best-of-seven New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL) semifinal series with a win.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Islanders, who are in search of their third straight and fourth NBSBL title in five years, defeated the Fredericton Royals 5-2 before a big crowd at Memorial Field in Charlottetown on Sept. 6. The game was a lot closer than the final score may indicate as fans were kept on the edge of their seats right up until the final out.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentBig inningArticle contentThe Islanders broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in bottom of the fifth inning, keyed by two-run singles off the bats of Nick MacPhail and Jack Kraft.Article contentBut the Islanders would not cruise to victory as the Royals provided some nervous moments for the home team and their fans.Article contentBen MacDougall relieved starter and winning pitcher Jordan Stevenson for the Islanders with one out in the top of the sixth inning with runners on first and second. The Royals loaded the bases with two outs, but MacDougall escaped the jam with a fly ball to right-fielder Duncan Picketts.Article contentThreaten againArticle contentThe Royals threatened again in the top of the seventh inning. Fredericton’s first two batters, Craig Oliver and Max Grant, walked and Cory Ouellette followed with a run-scoring double to cut Charlottetown’s lead to 5-2.Article contentMacDougall then struck out Josh McDonald for the first out, and Josh Dennis walked to load the bases with one out.Article contentArticle contentMatt Munn followed with a routine fly ball to right field for the second out that was the beginning of a wild play leading to the game’s final out. After catching the ball cleanly, Picketts’ throw to home was cut off by first baseman Josh Myers, positioned about two-thirds of the way up the base line towards home plate.Article contentGrant held but Ouellette tagged up and ran towards third base, leaving the two Fredericton runners near third base.Article content Jordan Stevenson focuses on a pitch in Game 1 of the best-of-seven New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL) semifinal series against the Fredericton Royals on Sept. 6. Stevenson earned the pitching win in the Islanders’ 5-2 victory before a big crowd at Memorial Field in Charlottetown. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentMyers threw to shortstop Ryne MacIsaac at second base. MacIsaac ran towards Ouellette and third base, which forced Grant to run for home.Article contentMacIsaac threw to catcher Cole MacLaren, who then ran Grant back towards third base. With Ouellette now going back to second base, MacLaren fired the ball to second baseman Logan MacDougall.Article contentOuellette turned and ran back to third while MacDougall started running towards home before throwing the ball Myers, who was covering home plate. The first baseman tagged out Grant for the game’s final out.
NBSBL PLAYOFFS: A wild ending to Royals-Islanders’ series opener
