Walk on, Walk off

July 30, 2007

Barbarians 6 – Galaxy 5

In an epic game on an epic night The Barbarians won another nail-biter on a walk-off single. On a steamy Friday night in front of a healthy crowd the second and third place teams put on a show in what could have been a preview of the semi-finals. Bobby "Serip" Serino was back on the hill, notching his second win in as many games. A very close game throughout, Galaxy finally tried to distance themselves when they came to bat in the fourth inning. Galaxy quickly loaded the bases on some walks and a base-knock. In what looked to be a sure double play, on a play to the plate, where three Galaxy runners somehow got hung up at third, turned into two runs, putting Galaxy in the lead. On a bases loaded fly ball an unknown Galaxy player attempted to tag up and score. The ball was hurled towards the plate and was on time. With a great slide the Galaxy runner avoided the tag. In a base-running blunder, Greg Racki and P.J. O'Connor found themselves on third base together (They may have also gone to third together while there). The vaunted double-pickle play was about to commence. The Barbarians had Racki in a run down until P.J. brilliantly left third and made his way back to second. Trying to get O'Connor, the Barbarians let the run score and O'Connor miraculously made it to third. Down the stretch, this short-handed Galaxy team got some great plays from Jim Devereaux and Joe Fiore at second base. The Barbarians were visibly frustrated at the plate due to some great pitching from Rick Moleti, who had a few strikeouts including a big K from Jim Tracy in the second to help him get out of a bases loaded jam. The Barbarians rode Serino's arm and some great defense including a home-run saving leap and catch by Jim Tracy in right, and a game saving over-the-head snag by Ed "Hardo" Mihovan. In the bottom of the seventh with runners on, the stage was set for another story-book win for the Barbarians. Moleti battled through the heart of the Barbarians line-up, getting two quick outs, including a groundball back to himself from Eric "All-World" Mcrena.

This looked like a sure double play, only it was botched by Alex Fitzhibert, who didn't know where to go with it. With two out, young Craig Macariston came to the plate. Working the count to 2-2 Macariston was looking to protect the plate. Macariston took Ricky's next delivery, a hanging curve ball, deep to left, scoring the run, and securing another walkoff win and second place for the Barbarians.

Also of Note: This game is now up for game of the year award. The first of many "Games of the Week"/"Friday Night Lights" that lived up to its billing.