A night after falling behind in their best-of-three series with the Border City Blue Jays, the North Battleford Beavers evened up the series with a 3-0 win Tuesday night at Beaver Lions Stadium.
The Beavers rebounded from a 2-1 loss Monday night in Lloydminster where Blue Jays player Tanner Goulet had a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.
North Battleford left-fielder Brad Eischon scored twice and made a great defensive play in the outfield to lead the Beavers to their win Tuesday night.
Dave Millar pitched all seven innings for the Beavers to pick up the win, giving up three hits and striking out three Blue Jays batters. Clayton Ermel went six innings for Border City, giving up three runs on two hits.
After a quick first inning, the Blue Jays threatened in the top of the second. Border City second baseman Brent Bowman waited on Millar's curveball and singled into left field. Bowman then stole second and Ermel drew a two-out walk. Millar got Goulet to strike out looking to leave the two runners on base.
North Battleford got on the board in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Eischon doubled to left field. Beavers second baseman Brennan Lampitt popped up to shallow right field, but the ball fell between three charging Blue Jays to cash in Eischon. Lampitt moved to second on the throw home. After catcher CJ Millar reached on an error, shortstop Aaron Cadrin struck out to end the threat.
In the top of the fourth, Border City was looking to get on the board again. Bowman grounded to third baseman Rory Gregoire, but Gregoire's throw went out of play to put the Blue Jays' runner on second. After Scott Willis was hit by a pitch, Ermel hit a bloop single into left field. Bowman tried to score from second, but Eischon came up throwing from left field and the ball beat the runner to the plate. CJ Millar trapped Bowman in a rundown with Rory Gregoire making the tag. Goulet then hit a fly ball to centre field to end the inning.
The Beavers doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Eischon drew a walk and then stole second. Lampitt grounded to third baseman Landon Noyes, but the throw pulled first baseman Reuben Baker off the bag. Eischon, who never stopped running, beat Baker's throw home to put the Beavers up 2-0. Lampitt tried to advance on the throw home, but catcher Brent Leavens threw him out at second.
The Beavers scored their third run in the bottom of the sixth. Kyle Gregoire struck out swinging, but Leavens dropped the third strike. Gregoire hustled down the line and Leavens' throw pulled Baker off of first base. The Beavers centre-fielder then stole second base and advanced to third on a Blair Geering groundout. While taking a lead at third, Ermel's pickoff attempt went over Noyes' head, allowing Gregoire to score.
Dave Millar settled down after hitting Leavens with no outs in the top of the fifth. Millar retired the final nine batters he faced, including striking out Goulet looking and pinch hitter Bryce Cochin swinging to end the game.
The Beavers tied the best-of-three series at one game apiece with the win. Game three is Wednesday night in Lloydminster.
