CORNER BROOK — It took a full seven innings to do it, but the Veitch’s Hawks have advanced to the Corner Brook Molson Senior Baseball League final.
After six scoreless innings, Perry Alexander scored from third on an error by First Choice Vision Junior Barons catcher Dan McCarthy, lifting the Hawks to a 1-0 triumph over their younger adversaries at Jubilee Field on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks won the best-of-three series in two straight games.
Alexander was 1-for-2 with a walk, leading the way offensively for the Hawks in the otherwise offensively-challenged game.
Kevin Farrel went 1-for-2 at the plate for the baby Barons, while Grant Vincent was 1-for-3.
Colin Wood registered the pitching victory, allowing just two hits over seven innings, with seven strikeouts and no walks. Wood and teammate Frank Humber combined to allow just five hits — and no runs — over the course of the two-game series.
Kevin Farrell took the loss on the hill for the Junior Barons. He was tagged for seven hits over as many innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.
The Hawks now await the winner between the Health and Performance Aces and West Side Monarchs. Game 2 of that series was scheduled to be played Sunday evening, but rainy weather saw it moved to tonight.
The Monarchs lead the series 1-0.
The following is a summary of the Friday night contest between the Monarchs and Aces:
Monarchs 2, Aces 1 (9 innings)
Dave Oxford struck out 12 batters, while walking five and allowing six hits, as the Monarchs edged the Aces.
Ryan Harnett was the losing pitcher, giving up seven hits and eight walks, with four strikeouts, over 8.2 innings of ball.
The game ended in the ninth inning when Jon Wheeler scored on a Steve Sheppard base hit.
Adam Warren was the top batter for the Monarchs, going 3-for-4 on the night.
Rob Myrden was 2-for-3 with a walk for the Aces in their losing effort.
