By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

NW STARS 5, REX PUTNAM 4–  It was the closest game that RP was in since the time-shorten game versus the Santiam Senators Thursday at the DeMarini Wood Bat Tournament.

“We had a good defensive effort today,” said Jordan Lester. “I think we had one error or so, so it was a good day.”

Down 3-0 though in a defensive slugfest, the Stars slowly chipped away at the lead, eventually tying the game with a out and runners on the corners in the bottom of the seventh.

Heres was the difference.  A walk-off balk stemming from RPs Jake Starmemt that sent Lester home to keep the NW Stars undefeated.

“Honestly I would never expect that the game would end like that,” “I mean it is what it is and that’s all that matters.”

PERTH HEAT 6, SANTIAM SENATORS 1–  Early going in the days first elimination game, it was the hard throwing pitcher of Grant Svikulis and the knuckleball throwing Brandon Gieselman.

For the first three innings, it was a pitcher dual with more strikeouts than hits and runs.

But that all changed in the fourth inning when Perth wheeled off consecutive two-run innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to seal the win.

“Since we got here for batting practice we said we’re going to win and we worked really hard to get that,” said Jacob Rizio.  “Grant helped us a lot on the mound and he did a lot for us and we picked him up, we got hits at the right time, we worked together as a team, got a good bounce on them and win.”

REX PUTNAM 5, NORTH SALEM 4*-  Before we get to the asterisk, the Vikings came out and built a 4-1 lead by the bottom of the third inning before RP rallied to win it 5-4.

Now why the asterisk?

Following the game, Rex Putnam announced that they will pull out of the tournament because of an injury to their catcher.  This advanced North Salem to the next round of the consolation bracket against Perth Heat. 8931