[StLee]

NCR Wins in 12, Evens Series 1-1

The long, winding road towards a championship requires lots of endurance and perception. It takes a lot of S.P.E.C.I.A.L. talent to make it in this world, and these two teams are indeed…special.

What was a thrilling game without a lot of offense ended thanks to a 12th-inning triple and sacrifice fly to give New California Republic a 4-3 win over Goodsprings in Game Two of the 2287 Mojave Series.

Gerardo Makejoo led off the inning with a triple off Earl Robinson. After game MVP Alex Carney was intentionally walked, Barry Wilson hit a deep fly to right field to drive in Makejoo for the victory.

The Bears took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Joel Bowles walked off starter Willie Miller with one out. George Gray and Jeremy Watson then hit back-to-back singles to score Bowles.

In the fifth inning, Makejoo hit a two-out single, followed by a two-run blast by Carney. That gave the NCR a 3-0 lead.

However, the Lucky 38s fought their way back in the sixth. Jorge Garcia led off with a single off starter Jim Crouch. After Tony Smith reached on a fielder’s choice where he beat out the double play attempt, Mike Duncan singled him to second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, followed by a Stu Vanstone walk to load the bases. Jimmy LaRue then hit a slow-rolling ground out to first base to score Smith and advance the other two runners. Jesus Martinez then hit a two-RBI double to tie the game 3-3.

Bill Shelton earned the win for the Bears, pitching the 12th inning. He walked one batter and struck out the side. Crouch gave up three earned runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in six innings. Leroy Hodges and Basket Zapp pitched the other five innings, combining to give up just two hits, walk one batter, and strike out seven.

Robinson was the loser for Goodsprings. He gave up one earned run on one hit in 1.1 innings. Miller gave up three earned runs on six hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Three other pitchers pitched for Goodsprings, giving up one hit with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings.

Game MVP Carney was 2 for 5 with a home run, two RBI, a run, and a walk. His homer and Makejoo’s 12th inning triple were the only two extra base hits for the NCR on the day.

The Lucky 38s only had five hits on the day. Duncan led the team by going 2 for 5 with a run scored. Martinez’s sixth-inning double was the only extra base hit.

The two teams now move the series to Goodsprings for the next three games.