Sooners split series with Dry
Dartmouth takes Saturday game 6-1 after Sydney takes opener
Things are getting tight in the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League pennant race.
Over the weekend, the 2014 and 2015 league champion Sydney Sooners hosted and split a two-game series with the defending champion Dartmouth Moosehead Dry.
Sydney’s 3-0 win on Friday and Dartmouth’s 6-1 victory on Saturday left the NSSBL standing the tightest its been since opening day.
Sydney (11-8) has a half-game lead on Kentville (10-8) for first place following Sunday’s games. The Dry (11-11) sit in third, the Bearcats (9-9) fourth and Halifax (7-12) is last
According to manager Jim “Rico” McEachern, the Sooners could have put a bit of distance between themselves and their rivals, but failed to take advantage of the opportunity.
“It was a nothing game for us – it’s too bad we fell flat after a good outing the previous night,” noted the long-time Sydney bench boss.
On Friday, the Sooners’ Reilly O’Rourke tossed a two-hit shutout, but the Sydney pitching staff got a bit roughed up on Saturday.
Paul MacLean started the game for the Sooners but was replaced by Logan Aker, who in turn was relieved by Ryan Lawless.
It was a different story for the Dry, who saw rookie hurler Jesse Borden earn his first win after striking out nine Sooners over eight innings.
Taylor Slade had two singles for Sydney. River Ryan’s Chris Head launched a solo homer for Dartmouth.
The Sooners are back in action on Aug. 5, when the Truro Bearcats come to town for a threegame set that will conclude the following day with a Saturday doubleheader.