[StLee]

Goodsprings Pitching Dominates NCR Again

Goodsprings got a solid game from Bob Jackson to out duel New California Republic’s Jim Crouch in a 2-1 Lucky 38s victory in Game Five of the Mojave Series.

Jackson was named the game’s MVP after giving up only one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts in 7.2 innings.

Crouch got the loss despite pitching well. He allowed two earned runs on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Dan Barlow and Bill Shelton finished the game for the Bears, not allowing a single base runner in the final 2.2 innings.

The Lucky 38s had half of their hits in the bottom of the second when they took a 2-0 lead. With one out, Dennis Shaft walked. After Perry Ferguson singled, Java Stirfry hit an RBI double to score Shaft. Alex Raines then hit an RBI ground out that proved later to be the game-winning RBI.

New California Republic’s sole run came in the third. Crouch hit a one-out single and advanced later on a passed ball. Alex Carney then singled him in with two outs for the only offensive output in the game for the Bears.

The teams combined for 10 total hits. Carney was the only player in the game with multiple hits with two. The NCR’s Joel Bowles and the Lucky 38s’ Shaft were the only players with extra-base hits in the game.

The NCR and Goodsprings now head to the Hoover Dam for Game Six. The Bears need two victories to claim the series, while the Lucky 38s are a victory away from clinching their second straight title over the NCR.

Game note: Joel Bowles made his debut in the Mojave Series after missing part of the semifinals series and the first four games of the Mojave Series due to the death of his brother… Jim Ford is expected to be the starting pitcher for Bears, while Donald Bush will try to clinch the series for the Goodsprings….Gerardo Makejoo was ejected in the first inning after arguing a called strike three.