Miramichi Sports: Cardinals Split Double Header With Cataracts

MIRAMICHI - The Newcastle Cardinals split a Father's Day double header Sunday at Cardinal Field against the Grand Falls Cataracts. The Cards took Game One by a score of 4-1 but dropped game Game Two by a score of 4-3.

Game Two was no without controversy as several calls were questioned by the Cardinals and Newcastle skipper Alan Menzies was tossed after arguing with the home plate umpire.

Under a hot sun, the top two teams in the Miramichi Valley Baseball League clashed for the first time this season. Grand Falls entered the weekend undefeated but dropped two games to the Tracadie-Sheila Aigles before heading to Miramichi.

In Game One, Kris McKay took the mound for Newcastle while Clint Hitchcock got the call for Grand Falls. The Cataracts jumped out the lead in this one, taking a 1-0 advantage in the third. With two runners on Rico Proulx's RBI gave the Cataracts an early lead but it would not last as the Cardinals would go on to tie it 1-1 before taking the lead for good.

In the bottom of the fifth with one out a Gary Ryder triple would put the Cardinals up 3-1. He's be cashed in by James Scott making it 4-1, the eventual final score of the game.

In Game Two Ryder got the call on the hill against Proulx for Grand Falls. The Cataracts wasted no time getting on the board in this one as Jordan Devenport single cashed in an early run to make it 1-0. Then some controversy. With runners on for Newcastle in the second, Steve Davis would hit a blooper over first base. Mike Simon was waved around on the play and slide hit first into home. It looked like Simon made it safe, but was called out in a cloud of dust.

The Cardinals argued to no avail and adding injury to insult, Simon was hurt on the play and had to leave.

Newcastle would get on the board in the fourth. With Walsh on first, James Hicks hit one deep to centre that bounced over the fence for a ground rule double. Walsh came around home but there was some confusion between the umpires as to whether he should be allowed to score or had to remain at third. The umps eventually let the run stand, much to Grand Falls' annoyance.

Brandon Augustine then hit a single to cash in Hicks and give Newcastle a 2-1 lead. It would not last.

In the top of the sixth, a Newcastle error put Proulx on. Then a Davenport double advanced Proulx to third. Billy Rae Ratteray would reach for a pitch and bloop one to centre allowing Proulx to come home and tie the game.

At that point, with two runners on and the score tied, Hicks came in looking for a repeat of his strong outing in relief Friday night against Chatham Head. But more controversy was about to play out.

With Ashten Francis at the plate, Rattaray would attempt to steal home. The play was close and Rattaray was ruled safe. Menzies argued the call and was ejected while Grand Falls gained a 3-2 advantage.

A Francis RBI would cash in another run to make it 4-2 before Hicks settled in and got the Cards out of the inning.

It all came down to the bottom of the seventh for Newcastle. Bobby Burns got things going for Newcastle coming in to bat for Davis. He doubled to deep left. He'd be on second for two outs before McKay doubled to bring Burns around making it 4-3 and setting up a dramatic finish and more controversy.

James Scott came to the plate with the chance to drive in the winning run. He would send a hard grounder over the mound and looking destined for centre field. Had that happened, it is likely McKay could have scored from second. However, the ball went off the ankle of the infield umpire, coming to a rest just behind the mount. McKay could not advance further than third.

The comeback fell to big man Brad Gallant with runners on the corner, but it was not to be and the game ended in a loss for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals next home game is Friday night when they host the Tracadie-Sheila Aigles at 7:30 p.m. at Cardinal Field. The week off will give the Cardinals time to hopefully get some wounded troops back in the line-up. Dennis Graham was not in uniform Sunday after getting hurt in Friday night's game, while both Simon and Darcey Foran, hurt in a collision with the catcher in Game One scoring for Newcastle, suffered injuries Sunday.