LLOYDMINSTER - One mistake cost the North Battleford Beavers dearly Monday night at Legion Ball Park.
Blue Jays shortstop Jason Fechter blasted a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth to lead Border City to a 2-0 victory over the North Battleford Beavers in game three of their first round NSRBL playoff series.
The Blue Jays won the best-of-three series 2-1.
Both pitchers hurled a complete game. Blue Jays pitcher Colbey Field surrendered only two hits and struck out seven batters to earn the win. Kyle Gregoire picked up the loss, giving up three hits, two runs and striking out three.
In the top of the first, Bryce Gatzke led off the game by being hit by a pitch. When he tried to steal second, Blue Jays catcher Kurri Carlson threw him out.
The Blue Jays threatened in the bottom of the inning. Landon Noyes singled and was advanced to second on a groundout by Fechter. However, Gregoire got Brent Bowman to ground out to third baseman Derrick Chapman for the final out.
In the bottom of the second, Scott Willis reached base on an error by Beavers second baseman Rory Gregoire. Willis stole second base before Bryce Cochan hit a ground ball to Gregoire to end the inning.
Beavers left-fielder Tyler Russell broke up Field's no hitter in the top of the third inning, poking a weak single through the right side of the infield. After Chapman popped up to first, Aaron Cadrin grounded into a double play to end the inning.
In the bottom of the inning, an error by Chapman allowed a runner to reach first base. After Carlson advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt, Noyes grounded out to second which allowed the runner to reach third. However, Kyle Gregoire induced a fly ball to centre field from Fechter to end the inning.
Both pitchers had clean fourth innings. Field struck out the side in the top, while Gregoire had a three-up, three-down performance in the bottom.
In the top of the fifth, Beavers right-fielder Brad Eischon hit a soft groundball into the hole between the shortstop and third baseman, allowing the Eischon to reach first safely with two outs. Russell, the next batter, grounded out to end the inning.
It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth that another runner from either team reached base. Carlson ripped a single into left field. Beavers catcher Ryan Muyers caught Carlson trying to steal second as the runner pulled up when the ball beat him to the bag.
Noyes then drew a walk before stealing second base with Fechter at the dish. He reached third shortly after on a passed ball. Fechter was locating the ball well during the at-bat, crushing a ball foul. Then, with a 1-2 count, Fecther penalized Gregoire for a mistaken location, parking a ball over the right-field fence to the excitement of the modest crowd in attendance.
In the top of the seventh, Kyle Gregoire reached first with one out. He was stranded on the base paths as Rory Gregoire and Muyers both struck out to end the game.
No Beavers base runner advanced past first base in the game.
The loss ends the Beavers season, who went 7-7 during the regular season. The Blue Jays advance to the semifinals of the NSRBL playoffs.
