TicketsNov. 11, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Baseball's rarest play led to the sports rarest result as game four of the University of Cincinnati Fall World Series ended in a 2-2 tie on Saturday afternoon after a game-ending triple play. The tie sets the stage for a winner take all game five on Sunday afternoon.
The Black team appeared to be poised for victory in the last of the seventh as, after scoring the tying run, the team had the bases loaded with no one out. Dustin Alvey then grounded a shot to a drawn in Josh Harrison at second who came to home for the first out. Catcher Nick Maragas went to third for the second out and Tim McEndy flipped to second to turn the trifecta.
The game turned into a pitcher's duel on a cold, wet, rainy afternoon as the teams combined for just 12 hits. Neall French had a pair for the Red team, while Tony Campana paced team Black with two. Dan Osterbrock had his second straight impressive outing of the fall, allowing one run in four innings with six strikeouts. Michael Hill tossed three shutout innings to lead the Black team.
The Red team did all of its scoring early, plating a pair of runs in the first inning against Billy Welsh. Jamel Scott led off with a single and eventually scored on a single by Harrison. One batter later, Adam Yeager raced home on a run-scoring single by French.
The Black team jumped on the comeback trail in the fifth inning as Cameron Satterwhite led the frame off with a single and moved up on a ground ball out. Freshman Michael Earley then banged a double into the right centerfield gap that scored Satterwhite and brought the Black team within 2-1.
That set the stage for the dramatic seventh inning that started with a lead-off double by Cory Hodskins. Satterwhite was next and he walked, bringing up Brian Szarmach. The senior outfielder came through for his team, lining a single down the right field line that tied the game. Red pitcher Brandon Bouley then intentionally walked Earley, loading the bases and setting up the aforementioned triple play.
The series, now even at one game apiece with two ties, wraps up on Sunday with a Noon p.m. first pitch in Marge Schott Stadium. The game is open to the public and admission is free.