St. Thomas Tomcats' Kevin Bowden pitches in the seventh inning, against the Strathroy Royals, at Emslie Field. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
By Rob J. Ross
ST. THOMAS, Ont. - Jake Rick had the biggest hit of the night, completing a St. Thomas Tomcats' comeback.
Rick punched out a two out two-run single during three run eighth inning, as the Tomcats rallied from a 5-1 deficit, to defeat the Strathroy Royals, 8-5, in Southwestern Senior Baseball League action, at Emslie Field.
The Royals, the Canadian Senior silver medalists last year, lose for just the second time this season.
Tomcats' pitcher Kevin Bowden earned the win, entering the game to start the sixth inning and allowing no hits over his two and one-third innings of work.
Michael Mommersteeg picked up the save, shutting down the Royals over the final one and two-thirds innings.
St. Thomas Tomcats' Colton Phibbs connects, against the Strathroy Royals, at Emslie Field. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
Down four runs early, Jacob Mansfield and Hayden Regnier, both had two-run doubles, to help bring the Tomcats back to even terms.
Tomcats' coach Matt Gooding was impressed by the play Rick, at the plate and in left field, as well as DH Colton Phibbs, stepping in for a few absent players.
St. Thomas was solid on defence, turning two double plays and escaping a bases loaded situation in the top of the eighth inning.
The Tomcats, 8-3 in league play, host the Ilderton Red Army, Friday, at Emslie Field. Game one, at 6 pm, is the completion of a game from earlier in the season. First pitch for game two is set for 7:30 p.m.
Sarnia leads the SSBL with a 14-0 record, followed by Ilderton (11-2), Strathroy (10-2) and St. Thomas.
At the Lakeside senior tournament, held July 7-9, in London and St. Thomas, the Tomcats went 1-2, defeating Oakridge, but losing to East York and the eventual champions, Sarnia.