It took extra innings, but the Rock Rangers edged the Rippers by one run, 15-14, in the final of the Red Dog Slo-Pitch League Year End Tournament.
Rippers captain Linda Barbondy drove in the winning run in the eighth inning of what was scheduled to be a seven-inning tilt, to secure the championship for her club.
For their part the Rippers battled back from a 14-11 deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning after RDSPL president Lisa Bowering hit for two RBIs in the inning, bringing home Blain Stolz and Cherise Beaman. Dave Raincock also blasted a moon shot deep into the outfield to help tie the contest and force extra innings.
“It was either team’s game to win once we were able to tie it up in the bottom of the seventh and go to extra innings,” Bowering said. “We had won the icebreaker tourney and were first in league standings, but they were able to reclaim the year-end tourney title.”
The Hellraisers finished the tournament in third place after knocking out the Booze Brothers by one run in the tournament semifinal. The Booze Bros battled back in the seventh but weren’t able to overtake a tough Hellraisers squad.
Bowering added it was a great season and said she hopes to have a few more teams in the league next year.
“We would like to thank Lindsey Gasparini of the Red Dog Beer and Wine Store for the use of the fields and his support of league prizes, as well as Della Westwick and her staff from the Canadian Mental Health Association Supported Opportunities program for the great job they do taking care of field maintenance at a very reasonable rate,” Bowering said.
If anyone is interested in putting a team in the RDSPL next season, or if you have questions, contact Bowering at 250-302-1500. The league also has a Facebook page named ‘Red Dog Slo-Pitch League.’