PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Road City Explorers needed one strike to finish off the top seeded Thunderbirds before one swing of the bat changed the results and the plans for the Explorers as they have been eliminated on a walk off grand slam.

It was a well fought game between the two teams in which the Explorers took an early 4 to 0 lead which looked to be promising for the rest of the game. However the Thunderbirds answered back after a few costly mistakes cut the lead in half with a Stephen Octave 2 RBI double.

The Thunderbirds would go on to tie the ball game with a Sacrifice Fly by Stephen Octave to score Simon Palenchar who finished the game  with 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 RBI and a stolen base. Danny Muller also had a pair of hits. 

Explorers starter Spencer Hereford was  stellar going 7.2 innings pitched allowing just 2 earned runs and striking out 7 Thunderbirds batters. Ricky Marinez led the way offensively for the Explorers with 3 hits and 2 runs score. Charles Steele had a pair of hits with 2 runs and Armando Valencia had a big 2 RBI single to get the Explorers ahead.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Explorers brought in their closer who walked two batters and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for the Thunderbirds. A couple of pinch hit moves brought in  Drake Sykes who   quickly fell behind 0-2  in the bottom of the ninth before belting a bases clearing walk off home run to send the Thunderbirds to the finals.

The finals will be held in Saranac Lake, New York at Petrova Field home of the Saranac Lake Surge. Game one is scheduled for Wednesday at  12pm, Thursday at 12pm and if necessary Friday at 12pm. Address to field is 79 CANARAS AVE, SARANAC LAKE, NEW YORK 12983

Tickets can be purchased at the gate only.

Article by Empire Media