Caleb Medicraft slides safely into home with the winning run as the Kentville Wildcats defeated the Sydney Sooners 3-2 in Game 4 of the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal Sept. 26 in Kentville. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe Kentville Wildcats and Sydney Sooners are going the distance again.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 won 2-1 and 3-2 Sept. 26 at Memorial Field to force a deciding Game 5 Sunday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m. in Kentville. The home team has won each of the first four games of the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentThe teams went five games in last year’s semifinal, which Kentville won with a dramatic seventh-inning comeback.Article contentArticle content Codey Shrider, of the Kentville Wildcats, throws a pitch to Brett McMullin, of the Sydney Sooners, Sept. 26 during Game 3 of the teams’ Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal at Kentville Memorial Park. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentCodey Shrider threw a complete-game victory in Game 3 on Sept. 26 to keep the Wildcats alive this year. Garrett Nicholson went the distance for the Sooners.Article content Sydney Sooners starter Garrett Nicholson throws a pitch during Game 3 of the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal Sept. 26 in Kentville. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentSydney opened the scoring in the third while Kentville took the lead with two in the sixth.Article contentIn the night cap, Kentville built an early 3-0 lead and held on for the win.Article contentDawson Oldham entered the game to start the seventh inning, looking to protect a 3-2 lead. But Oldham couldn’t find the strike zone, walking the first three batters.Article contentColby Turple struck out the first two batters he faced in relief before inducing a ground ball to third baseman John Ansara, who won the race to the bag to end the game.Article contentKentville opened the scoring in the first inning when Turple drew a one-out walk and went first to third on a hit and run when Evan Ryan blasted a single to centre. Turple scored on Luis Laffita Jr.’s ground out to third.Article contentKentville added a pair in the second inning when Ryan Crocker and Caleb Medicraft hit back-to-back, two-out singles and then scored when Oldham’s single to right was misplayed.Article contentArticle contentSydney got two back in the fourth when they loaded the bases with no out on two walks sandwiched around Josh Pentecost’s single. Chris Farrow and Corson O’Rourke each hit a sacrifice fly to plate runs.Article contentIn the top of the sixth, the always dangerous Farrow hit a two-out single, but was thrown out by Laffita trying to steal second.Article contentJack Gallant started for the home side. He allowed two runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. He walked four, hit two batters, and struck out two.Article contentBrandon MacKenzie threw 2 2/3 innings of relief. He gave up a hit and struck out three.Article contentBrady MacKinnon allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings for Sydney. He allowed five hits, walked five and hit a batter to go with four strikeouts. Parker Hanrahan struck out Oldham to leaves the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth.Article contentRyan had two singles for Kentville.Article contentJosh Forrest was 1-for-1 with a single, a walk and was hit by a pitch twice. Andrew Brewer added two singles.Article content Kentville Wildcats first baseman Evan Ryan stretches for a throw from third baseman John Ansara to get Sydney’s Chris Farrow out during Game 3 of the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League semifinal Sept. 26 in Kentville. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe semifinal winner will play the Dartmouth Dry in the best-of-seven final. Dartmouth, which finished atop the league standings in the regular season with a 23-4 record, swept Halifax in the other semifinal.Article content
Kentville Wildcats win two one-run games to force Game 5 in NSSBL semi
