Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians

DRY (3-3)                 011 010 102 000 0    6R 11H 3E

CANADIANS (3-3)    500 100 000 000  1    7R   9H 3E

Craig Langille, Jeff Reeves (6, L, 0-1), and Justin Stephens

Jeff Tousenard, Barrett Bellefontaine (6), Ryan Veinot (10,W,1-0), and Shawn Walsh 

Colin Johnson, triple, single, 2 RBI; Darren Doucette, double, single, RBI; Matt Thomas, 3 singles; Joel Irvine, double

Randy Stewart, 2 singles, Game-winning RBI in 13th; Adam Lucas, 2 doubles, RBI; Shawn Peverill, double, single, RBI

Randy Stewart got some sweet revenge against his former teammates on

Sunday driving in Josh Pelham from 2^nd base in the bottom of the 13^th inning to give the Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians a 7-6 win over the Dartmouth Moosehead Dry and forcing a seventh and deciding game in the NSSBL final series. That game is set for Tuesday at Beazley Field. The final game will start at 7:30.

The marathon see-saw battle was tense with both teams having great opportunities to score the decisive run before the 13^th and in the 13^th. Before Stewart’s heroics the Dry had runners at 2^nd and 3^rd in the 13^th but Ryan Veinot got opposing pitcher, Jeff Reeves, to strike out to end the Dry threat. In their half the Canadians’ Shawn Peverill led off with a single but was forced at second when Pelham’s sacrifice bunt attempt failed. However, Pelham, not known for his speed, stole second and Stewart delivered him on a 1-2 count with a line drive to centre

Halifax started quickly, scoring 5 in their half of the initial inning. Veinot was struck in the head with a Craig Langille curveball, Mark Pelham walked, and Adam Lucas stroked a double to score Veinot. Peverill then walked and Pelham scored Pelham, Josh driving in Mark, with a single through short. Paul Davie hit into a fielder’s choice scoring one and Colin Johnson’s throwing error on the same play allowed Lucas to score. Stewart then stroked a single and when Joel Irvine misplayed Shawn Walsh’s ground ball, Davie scored.

The Dry picked away at the lead scoring singles in the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 7^th while the Canadians added another run in the 4^th. The real excitement came when the Dry, down 6-4, scored 2 in their half of the 9^th to tie the game. Darren Doucette led off with a single, Johnson hit a long triple scoring Matt Doudelet, who had come into the game to run for Doucette. Justin Stephens then brought Johnson home with a sacrifice fly to right, setting the stage for the dramatics in the 13^th.

Veteran Jason Bailey will take to the mound for the Dry to face Steve Ivey in the deciding game on Tuesday. If Sunday`s game is any indication baseball fans will not want to miss it. First pitch is 7:30.

CANADIANS (2-3)      000 000 100   1R 3H 2E

DRY(3-2)                   002 000 110   4R 6H 0E

Jason Bailey (W, 3-0) and Justin Stephens

Steve Ivey (L, 1-2), Jeff Tousenard (8) and Randy Stewart

Dan Comeau, 2 singles, RBI; Chris Gallivan, single; Colin Johnson, single; Justin Stephens, single; Matt Thomas, single

Mark Pelham, single, RBI; Paul Davie, double; Randy Stewart, double

Veteran Jason Bailey just keeps on doing it for the Dartmouth Moosehead Dry. In the pivotal 5^th game tonight at Beazley Field, Bailey was in complete control allowing just  one run on 3 hits while striking out 11. To show he still had lots left in the tank in the 9^th inning he struck out the side. The Dry can wrap up the series on Sat. when the Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians play host to the Dry at 2:00 at Mainland Common.

The Dry got all the runs they needed in the 3^rd. Dan Comeau and Chris Gallivan had back to back singles and Chris Head then sacrificed the pair to 2^nd and 3^rd. After a Matt Thomas groundout, Joel Irvine hit a ground ball to SS Ryan Veinot that went through his legs allowing Comeau and Gallivan to score.

The Canadians got their only run in the 7^th when Veinot walked, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Mark Pelham.

In the bottom of the 7^th, Head reached on a fielder’s choice, stole 2^nd, advanced to 3^rd on a groundout, and then stole home. An argument ensued with plate umpire Dennis Crotty ejecting starting pitcher, Steve Ivey. Comeau’s RBI single in the 8^th scored Colin Johnson who had reached on an error.

Craig Langille will take to the mound for the Dry on Sat. Halifax will counter with either Reggie Snow or Barrett Bellefontaine.

Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians All-Star right-hander, Mark Haverstock, is patiently awaiting surgery scheduled at the QE11 Health Services Centre on Wednesday or Thursday to repair his broken jaw and cheekbone.

The veteran hurler, a major contributor to the Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians this season, was injured when struck by a batted ball during Monday’s 9-2 win over the Dartmouth Moosehead Dry.  The line drive caught Haverstock flush on his cheekbone below his right eye.  The ball caromed off the fallen player directly to third baseman, Josh Pelham, who was able to tag out a runner who was advancing to third base before the umpires could halt the play.

His cheekbone is broken in four places and his jaw is broken in one place.  After the surgery to repair the cheekbone, his jaw will be wired shut for four to six weeks.

“I am very thankful for all the wishes and expressions of interest.  Right now, my major concern is the vision in my right eye” said Haverstock.  “Because of the medication, I can’t feel the right side of my face at the moment.”  

Co-coach, Mark Pelham tried to sum up what Haverstock has meant to the team.  “It’s hard to put into words all the sacrifices he’s made for us this year, especially since Barrett (Bellefontaine) has been injured, as well as in the past.  He’s pitched every time we needed him, and on some occasions, like Monday, he’s been super on short rest.  He’s the senior member of our team and keeps everyone loose on the bench but he gets stern when the situation calls for it.  You can’t replace what he has given this team or what he means to us.”

Haverstock, a nine-year veteran with the team, tried to downplay the incident.  “Hey I’m a big boy and sometimes accidents happen.  That’s exactly what this was but as soon as the surgery is over, I’ll be out to see everyone real soon and hopefully we can win this series.”

###

Contact:  Cecil Wright    471-2477      cecilw45@hotmail.com

Mark Haverstock has sustained a broken jaw and broken cheekbone as a result of the line drive which struck him during today's 4th game of the NSSBL final series. No other injuries have been found by attending medical personnel according to reports recently released.

Any updates will be posted on this site.

Everyone associated with the NSSBL wishes Mark a very speedy recovery.

Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians won the ball game Mon. but their main concern is the well-being of their friend and teammate Mark Haverstock. Haverstock was struck just below the eye by a wicked line drive in the 8th inning and lay motionless for the better part of 30 minutes until HRM paramedics took him to the QE 11 for further assessment. His status will be updated as reports are provided by team personnel.

Haverstock, the heart and soul of the Canadians this season, had everyone talking at Mainland Common prior to his misfortune as he took to the mound after pitching a complete game on Sat. Scheduled starter Steve Ivey was unable to go because of illness. Haverstock threw 7 and 2/3 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 7 and walking 4. His teammates rewarded his incredible performance with a 6-run outburst in the 6^th to provide him with all the runs he would need in pushing his playoff record to 4-1. Haverstock was the loop’s top pitcher during the year going 9-4.

Junior affiliate, Cameron Marling, was outstanding until the fatal 6^th. He gave up just 2 hits prior to the 6^th, while striking out 8. His error on a Josh Pelham ground ball with 2 outs led to the Halifax uprising. Ryan Veinot, who reached on an error, to start the inning scored on that error, then Adam Lucas, who had walked, scored on a line drive single by Paul Davie. Rookie Pat Gilbert drilled a single off reliever Jeff Reeves to score Pelham and Brandon Devlin then stroked a triple scoring Davie, Randy Stewart, who had walked, and Gilbert, to give the Halifax squad all the runs they would need. 

Halifax would add 3 more for their fallen co-coach and reliever, Barrett Bellefontaine, making his first appearance since Aug. 30.

With the series now tied at 2 apiece, the teams look to Thursday as a key match-up in what is now a best of three. Jason Bailey, winner of Game 2 Sat., will be on the hill for the Dry, Ivey will get the ball for the Canadians. Game time is 7:30.

DRY (2-2)                  100 000 010    2R 5H 5E

CANADIANS (2-2)     000 006 03X   9R 6H 1E

Cameron Marling (L, 0-1), Jeff Reeves (6), and Justin Stephens

Mark Haverstock (W, 4-1), Barrett Bellefontaine (8), and Randy Stewart

Greg West, single, RBI, Joel Irvine, single; Justin Stephens, single; Chris Head, single; Coiln Johnson, single

Brandon Devlin, triple, 3 RBI; Paul Davie, 2 singles, RBI; Pat Gilbert, single, RBI; Josh Pelham, single, Adam Lucas, single