Kentville Wildcats first baseman Brett McGinnis fields a ground ball during Game 3 of their Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal with the Sydney Sooners on Sept. 12. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentColby Titus had a walk-off single in extra innings as the Kentville Wildcats scored a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Sydney Sooners Sept. 12 in playoff baseball action.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 host Wildcats now hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal. Game 4 is slated for 1:05 p.m. on Sept. 13 with a deciding fifth game, if needed, following Game 4. The remaining games will be also played at Kentville Memorial Park after the teams split the opening games in Sydney last weekend.Article contentArticle contentTitus’ one-out line drive to right-centre field cashed Colby Turple, who ended up at second base when his fly ball went off left-fielder Andrew Brewer’s glove to begin the inning.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentReilly O’Rourke took the loss. He was dealing early on, allowing only a single to Titus through five innings.Article contentTrailing 3-0 through heading to the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats mounted a comeback. Gehrig Octavio hit a one-out single, Codey Shrider was hit by a pitch and Turple hit an RBI single to right field.Article contentWith runners on the corners, the Wildcats pulled off a double steal to cut the deficit to one.Article contentAfter reliever Kyle Armsworthy retired Sydney in the top of the seventh, which included Chris Farrow hitting into a rare 4-6-3 double play, the home side went back to work looking for the tying run.Article contentDoug Hassell hit a full-count pitch to left field for a one-out single. John Ansara followed with a single and pinch-hitter Ryan Crocker’s check swing to the right side of the infield cashed the tying run.Article contentSydney took a 1-0 lead minutes into the game.Article contentArticle contentFarrow, Sydney’s leadoff hitter, reached on an error by shortstop Caleb Medicraft. He went to second on a hit-and-run groundout and scored on Corson O’Rourke’s bloop single over first baseman Brett McGinnis’ head.Article content Sydney Sooners shortstop Chris Farrow prepares to throw to first base to complete the double play against the host Kentville Wildcats Sept. 12. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe visitors added to their lead in the fourth when Hassell couldn’t find Brenton Sibley’s fly ball to left field. Sibley scored from second on Josh Pentecost’s two-out double on a full-count pitch.Article contentThe Sooners tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Matt Campbell singled, stole second and scored on Brewer’s single to right-centre field.Article contentArmsworthy earned the win, throwing two shutout innings. He walked one and struck one out. Starter Tyson Slauenwhite gave up three runs, including one unearned, on six hits. He struck out four and intentionally walked Corson O’Rourke in the third inning.Article contentReilly O’Rourke allowed four runs, three of them earned, on seven hits in seven and a third innings of work. He walked two, hit a batter and struck out seven.Article contentEach game of the series has been decided by a run, two in walk-off fashion.Article contentKentville won the opener 2-1 Sept. 6 in another pitcher’s duel between Slauenwhite and O’Rourke while Sydney scored a come-from-behind 4-3 victory to even the series in the night cap. Corson O’Rourke hit a three-run triple in the bottom of the seventh for the Sooners in Game 2.Article contentThe winner of the series will play either first-place Dartmouth or Halifax in the league final.Article contentDartmouth won Game 4 21-3 Sept. 12 to force a deciding fifth game on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Dartmouth.Article content
EXTRA INNINGS: Kentville scores comeback victory over Sydney in NSSBL semifinal
