Gators implode in 11th after brilliant rally
By Joe Rummel
With the Fourth of July just around the corner, the Fauquier Gators and Haymarket Senators had fireworks for the fans Wednesday in an extra-inning Valley Baseball League game.
Like any fireworks show, the game started off slowly, but ended with a grand finale. It wasn't in the Gators' favor, though, as the Senators topped them 10-4 in the 11th inning.
The Gators (10-7) remain third in the VBL North Division despite the loss to last-place Haymarket (7-13), which recovered from blowing a 4-2 ninth-inning lead by scoring six runs in the 11th.
Fauquier pushed extra innings after Ryan Gauck led off the ninth with a picture-perfect bunt down the third-base line. Chad Pierce then sent a missile to the right-center wall, scoring Gauck and bringing the Gators within one run.
Fauquier catcher Daniel Petitti then followed Gauck's lead by dropping another bunt for a base hit, putting runners on first and third. It seemed no one dared to move in the stands and spoil the Gators' phenomenal rally.
Next, pinch hitter Scott Lambert delivered a hit to center field to tie the game at 4-4. The Gators failed to score again though, pushing the game into extra innings.
In the 11th, the Gators broke down defensively and Haymarket scored six runs to seal the win.
Although clearly disgruntled, Gators coach Paul Koch looked ahead after the game.
"We just need to come out and get it done at our next game," he said. "We've been working hard. We just need to piece it together."
Rob Whitley toed the rubber for Fauquier on Wednesday, and if there's one thing the Gators are notorious for this year, it's great pitching. Senators coach Bill Shields wasn't afraid to admit that before the game.
"That's why they've been getting so many wins," Shields said. "Their pitchers all are pitching around a 2.00 ERA and that's really good, but their hitters are batting around a .240 average. So we just really need to get ahead of their hitters and keep it that way."
At first, the Senators couldn't. Gauck hit a well-placed blooper into left-center off Senator ace Ben Hildreth to score teammate Justin Wilson and put the Gators on top 1-0...See the Friday print edition of the Fauquier Weekend for the complete story.