Can-Am Ottawa Champions

Flick of the Bick Wins Game as Ottawa Walks off New Jersey in 10th Inning

Published on August 19, 2015 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Ottawa Champions News Release


Ottawa, ON - A late comeback and clutch base hit from Ottawa Champions rookie Daniel Bick led the Champs over the visiting New Jersey Jackals walk-off style in the 10th inning.

After a leadoff triple for Danny Grauer, Bick's line drive to right dunked in front of Jackals right fielder Matt Helms, ending the long game with a 5-4 score.

"He threw a pitch over the plate on that last pitch, and I tried to put a good swing on it," an elated Bick said after the game. "Luckily it dropped in."

The Champions began the game on a lesser note, allowing the Jackals to take an early lead with help from ace starter John Walter.

Walter pitched a gem of a start, allowing just five hits and striking out 13 Champions batters, leaving many hitters looking for answers in late stages of the game. New Jersey rode the wave and held a 4-1 lead for their starter when he left the game in the sixth inning.

"That may be the best game that I've seen in a while from a pitcher in this league," Champions manager Hal Lanier said of Walter's start. "I guess that's why he's leading the league in strikeouts."

As Walter left the game, he had 110 strikeouts on the season.

However, the relief pitching would allow the Champions back into the game.

Mike Schwartz began the comeback with a bloop single to right field that found a hole between three Jackals defenders in left-centre field. The play scored both Nick Giarraputo and Sebastien Boucher, cutting New Jersey's lead to 4-3.

That set the stage for dramatics in a rain-soaked ninth inning.

With showers pouring down on RCGT Park, Albert Cartwright led the inning off with a walk, and was hit into third base by Boucher two batters later. Then Giarraputo cleaned up by singling to right field and scoring Cartwright to tie the game.

Cartwright came up once again in the 10th, but this time was walked intentionally to bring up Daniel Bick. The rookie made the Jackals pay for this decision, as he lined a ball into right to win the game 5-4.

Alex Powers received the loss for the Jackals and Nick Purdy received the win.

The Champions go for the sweep of New Jersey tomorrow morning, in a rare morning game with an 11:05 a.m. start.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 19, 2015


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