OTTAWA � Two runs in the bottom of the third sealed the Ottawa Champions first series victory of the 2018 season, after they downed the Salina Stockade 7-1 Sunday afternoon to wrap their series.
The win gives Ottawa their first series win of the 2018 campaign. Champions manager Hal Lanier says it doesnt matter who youre playing � winning a series is a big step in the right direction.
"We kept on swinging the bats well today," he said after the game. "But I was impressed with Rutckyjs start � getting four innings out of him was big for us."
In four innings pitched, LHP Evan Rutckyj fanned six batters and allowed just one hit. While he didnt pitch long enough to get the win, its earned the Canadian a spot in the rotation. RHP Jake Hale (W, 3-2) pitched six innings in relief to earn the win.
The games first run scored on a wild pitch. Salina LHP Daniel Diaz (L, 0-1) dealt a pitch too high for his catcher to handle, allowing OF Chase Harris to score from third base. He had previously advanced to second on a separate wild pitch from Diaz.
In the third inning, back-to-back base hits from DH Sebastien Boucher and OF Steve Brown broke the game open, and gave the Champions a 3-0 lead heading into the middle innings. The team didnt look back from there, registering a four-spot in the bottom of the seventh.
The Champions now engage in a six-game road trip starting Tuesday, with a three-game set versus the Quebec Capitales. The team will then travel to Sussex County to play the Miners on the weekend.
When Ottawa returns home, the international series also returns to RCGT Park! Ottawa plays Team Dominican Republic June 19-21, re-joining the Can-Am League for a second season. Tickets for this series and the rest of the Champions schedule are available at www.ottawachampions.com, or by calling 613-745-BALL (2255).
Ottawa Champions 7 Salina Stockade 1
This game was played on 6/10/2018 at RCGT Park
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