The Kentville Wildcats mob John Ansara after his ground ball plated the semifinal-clinching hit that capped off a five-run bottom of the seventh inning against the Sydney Sooners Sept. 13 in Kentville. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe Kentville Wildcats scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning of the deciding game of the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal to punch their ticket to the final.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 contentPlaying-coach John Ansara capped the improbable comeback 7-6 victory by legging out an infield single to cash Doug Hassell. The Wildcats bench exploded as the winning run crossed the plate and made a beeline for Ansara to celebrate a moment they will never forget.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“It’s a pretty special moment,” Ansara acknowledged.Article contentAnd while it was Ansara who plated the winning run, it took a hit-around inning with players passing the baton to their teammate to make it happen.Article contentAnsara pointed to team chemistry for the team’s refusal to quit.Article content“We’re very tight as a group. Everybody hangs out together and are just good friends. I think that helps a lot when it comes to these moments,” he said. “We all play for each other.”Article contentTrailing 6-2, Codey Shrider ignited the seventh-inning rally with a leadoff double. He scored when Luis Laffita’s ground-rule double bounced over the right-field fence.Article content“We’re not done,” Shrider said as he returned to the dugout. “Let’s go.”Article contentAfter the game, Ansara found Shrider to let him know the importance of his at bat.Article content“I said to him, ‘You started this,’” Ansara recalled, noting the early doubles gave the team belief.Article contentArticle content“That got us going,” the veteran third baseman added as his teammates signed autographs for young fans. “Hitting is contagious.”Article contentKyle Armsworthy hit a single and Ryan Crocker’s one-out bloop single to centre cashed Laffita, making it 6-4.Article contentHassell, inserted into the game midway through the contest after arriving from work, singled to score Armsworthy and went to second on the throw home.Article contentAce Reilly O’Rourke entered the game after throwing seven-plus innings the night before. With the infield in, Caleb Medicraft walked on a full-count pitch to load the bases with one out.Article contentGehrig Octavio hit a sacrifice fly to plate Crocker and set the stage for Ansara’s heroics.Article content
Kentville Wildcats’ five-run seventh inning caps epic comeback in NSSBL playoffs
