RHEIN - The Rhein Rockets are headed back to the Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League finals following a 2-1 win over the Wynyard Blues Friday.
The Rockets who went 8-0 through the regular season had been forced to a deciding game in their best-of-three semi final series after winning the opener 6-0, then dropping game two in Wynyard 3-1.
With game three back in Rhein it was again a game where the Rockets relied heavily on wily veteran hurler Terry Peppler.
Rhein edged ahead in the third inning as a triple by Evan Neibrandt scored the first run of the contest.
The lead was short-lived as Mike Jordan took a rare Peppler miscue over the outfield fence for a solo home run and a tie score at 1-1.
In the bottom of the fourth Peppler helped his own cause with a run scoring a single for a 2-1 Rockets lead.
And then Peppler settled in, even grabbing a comebacker to the circle that he tossed to first base to record the final out of the game, leaving Wynyard feeling their names – the Blues.
The Rockets who are defending league champions will now defend their title against the Neudorf Posse.
Game one of the best-of-three finals is set to go at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Rhein, with game two at 6:30 Thursday in Neudorf.
If a game three is needed it will be in Rhein, but a date has not been set.
