Seven-Run Seventh Sends Grays Past Aces in Wild Comeback Win

The Grays opened July against the Alexandria Aces on Wednesday night. It was the sixth meeting between the two teams - the most played matchup so far this season in the CRCBL. The story of this one: the Grays took what they were given.

Xander Leckzas (Dickinson) opened for Robinson Mateo's Grays. The right-hander went two quality innings, allowing just one run. Fellow college teammate James Pedas (Dickinson) relieved him in the 3rd and surrendered a run but kept it within striking distance. The Grays rallied in the third, scoring 3 runs on 6 walks issued by Aces starter Dominic Haas.

However, in the top of the 4th, the Aces bats came alive, pushing across 3 runs on 3 hits to take back the lead, 4-3. Aces reliever Ryan Garcia stymied the Grays bats, and Alexandria extended the lead to 9-3, leaving the Grays with just 3 outs to work with.

In the bottom of the 7th, Evan Wilson (Richmond) got the rally started with a one-out double into right field. From that point, the Grays had seven straight hitters reach base. Free passes to Ben Drinkwine (UNCW), Caden Brown (Southern), Ryan Stoddard (Lafayette), Parker Shenman (Catholic), and Hartley Rahman (Catawba) along with hits by Travis Church (Marist), and Beny Bikar Jr. (Southern), left Aaron Rowell (Pensacola State) at the plate with the tying run on third and one out.

Rowell hit a slow roller to third that was bobbled, allowing Shenman to score and tie the game at 9-9. Evan Wilson (Richmond) then struck out swinging, leaving the game in the hands of newcomer Ben Drinkwine (UNCW). On the first pitch of the at-bat, Drinkwine was drilled in the elbow with a fastball, forcing in the winning run and completing the miraculous 7-run comeback.

The Grays moved to 2-4 against the Aces this season and improved to 9-15 overall.

The Grays will be back in action Thursday night at Robert J. Talbot Field against the CRCBL-leading Olney Cropdusters (16-8) at 7:30.

(Photo courtesy of Alex Ouzts)