O'Farrell delivers crucial hit to keep Ontario Black's hopes alive

Reese O'Farrell (Burlington, Ont.) of the Ontario Blue Jays played a key role in Ontario Black's win.

By: Jessica Patton

Canadian Baseball Network

Reese O’Farrell hit a crucial two-run single for Ontario Black in a much-needed 4-2 win over British Columbia Orange Thursday morning at Tournament 12.

Ontario’s Andrew Yerzy finished with a hit and an RBI while starting pitcher Matt Brash earned the win going 4.2 innings, allowing two runs with four strikeouts.

Starting pitcher for B.C. (1-2-1) Alex Davis struggled from the beginning completing four innings giving up six hits, four walks and allowing four earned runs.

Ontario (1-1-2) took a quick 1-0 lead in the first on a Yerzy single that brought in Elliot Curtis who had doubled off a fly ball to center field.

In the second, Davis would strike out three in a row but his offense couldn’t respond, going three up, three down.

Top of the third, Davis walked two to load the bases with zero out. He would then walk Brad Aldred allowing Ethan Cummins to score.

With the bases still loaded, O’Farrell singled to bring in Aldred and Curtis, but would be called out trying to make it to second to end the inning with Ontario up 4-0.

“I wasn’t too happy with the hit, it was a bloop,” said O’Farrell after the game. “But they all count right?”

It was a must-win for team Ontario in order to have a chance to make it to the semi-finals, something that O’Farrell had in the back of his mind.

“I think when your back’s up against the wall, that’s what makes you play harder.”

In the bottom of the fourth, Orange’s Tyler Duncan got on base off of a forced throwing error by first baseman Ari Sechopolous loading the bases with zero out. Jordan Dray would ground out into a double play but Kobe Morris would score putting B.C on the board down 4-1.

B.C.’s Indigo Diaz would start the fifth in place of Davis, he would go two innings earning two strike-outs before Corey Jackson would take the mound in the seventh to close out the game.

Ontario pitcher Zach Fascia replaced Brash with the bases loaded mid-way through the bottom of the fifth. His first batter, Spencer Lindemen would reach base on Sechopolous’ second error of the game, allowing Yi-Fan Pan to score cutting Ontario’s lead in half by two making it 4-2.

“I prefer bases-loaded rather than a guy at first and second so I don’t have to worry about anyone stealing on me,” said Fascia. “If anyone is running, the guy would have to steal home and I am not going to worry about that.”

“I felt pretty good in that situation.”

Despite the late push, B.C. was unable to complete the comeback. A win would have solidified a playoff berth but with the loss, they have to wait and see how the remaining games play out.