KENTVILLE, N.S. – A three-run ninth-inning lifted the Truro Bearcats to a 4-1 victory over the Kentville Wildcats and a split of their Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League doubleheader on Sunday.
It was a big win for the Bearcats, who dropped the first game 10-5. Fifth-place Truro (4-15) and fourth-place Kentville (6-14) are in a battle for final playoff spot.
In Game 2 on Sunday, Justin Morton and Jeff Chisholm worked walks in the ninth and Jason Smith followed with an RBI single to plate the winning run. The Wildcats later made two errors in the final frame, and the Bearcats stretched their lead to three.
Brandon Malally pitched seven strong innings for Truro, before John Chapman pitched the eighth and ninth in relief to pick up the win. Codey Shrider, who allowed just three hits in a complete game, suffered the hard-luck loss.
In Game 1, the Bearcats held a 3-0 lead before the Wildcats tied it with a three-run fifth. Kentville never looked back, scoring a pair of runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings before putting the contest out of reach with a three-run eighth.
Schrider led the home side with two doubles and two RBIs, while Jason Pleasant-Sampson stroked three singles and scored three runs. Chisholm had a strong game at the plate for the visitors with three singles, a walk, an RBI and three runs scored, while Morton and Tyler Smith doubled and Jason Smith singled and drove in a run.
Alex Ostrov was the winning pitcher, while Jorden Johnson, in relief of Jason Smith, was tagged with the loss.
The Bearcats next action is Tuesday when they visit the Halifax Pelham Canadians. On Sunday, Truro hosts the Sydney Sooners for a pair of games at 1 and 4 p.m.
