RR beats Stratton in season opener

By Ken Johnston
Editor

It was an exciting start to the season for the Rainy River Legion Fastball club last Tuesday when Stratton took them to an extra inning.
After a moment of silence, with the teams on the baselines, for long time umpire Gus Lindberg, who recently passed away, it was time to play ball.
Early on it looked like it was going to be a pitchers’ dual between Rainy River slinger Murray Armstrong and Stratton’s Guy Arpin.
In the first inning Stratton’s Ted Heyens walked and was advanced to second by Rob McGinnis with a single. Both were batted in to score the first two runs of the game.
In the bottom of the inning Jim Chorney walked to start things off. He then stole three bases to score one for RR. It was 2-1 for Stratton after one.
Both pitchers would then hurl great balls and hold their opponents scoreless in the 2nd inning.
Again in the top of the third Armstrong shut down the Stratton offense with the exception of Guy Arpin who hit a single and stole second base only to be stranded there.
In the bottom of the third Chorney was again the man to watch. He hit a single and then scored when Armstrong hit a double and earned an RBI. It was now tied at 2-2.
There would no more scoring in regulation play.
In an 8th and extra inning Rob McGinnis hit a single was then batted in by Guy Arpin to take Stratton into the lead 3-2.
It was do or die in the bottom of the inning for RR. Veteran player Wes Blight hit a solid double to open things up. Chorney followed him with a single which scored Blight to tie the game. Chorney would then steal second and be batted in by Donnie Gall for the 4-3 win.
Other opening day scores:
Sabaskong defeated Barwick 8-7
Big Grassy defeated Big Island 12-10
Sight and Sound had a bye.
Thursday, May 17th scores:
Big Grassy defeated RR 4-3
Stratton defeated Barwick 8-1
Sight and Sound defeated Big Grassy 10-1
Sabaskong had a bye.