On a picture perfect morning at New Scotland, this past Sunday, the Golden Marlins and the Black Sox contested a tight ball game that would not be decided until the final out in the 7th inning.

The Black Sox got out to a quick 1-0 lead, in the top of the first, on an Earl Mitchell lead off single, a stolen base, a ground out that moved Earl to 3rd, and then a sac fly by Joe Hausler.

The Marlins answered right back with a 3-spot in the bottom half. Shawn Maney walked and stole second with one out. Randy Craft singled him to third. Ron Lochner followed with a RBI double, and one out later, Mike Girard drove in Lochner and Craft with a single.

The Black Sox seized the lead back with 3 runs in the top of the second. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, David Booker cleared the bases with a 3-RBI double, and the Black Sox were back in front 4-3.

Earl Mitchell set the Fish down in order in the bottom half of the second, and the Sox tacked on 3 more runs in the 3rd with the help of a couple of walks and some sloppy defense by the Marlins.

Marlins starter Jerry Solomon was able to settle in and keep the Sox at bay for the next two innings, which allowed the Marlins to make their come back.

The Fish were able to push a run across in the 4th inning on a lead off double by Mike Girard and a one out double by Dan Hernandez. With the score at: Sox 7 and Marlins 4, in the bottom of the 5th inning, the Fish rallied to push 4 runs across and take a 8-7 lead. The rally started with a lead off single by Tom Maney. Tom stole second and a wild pitch put him at 3rd. Randy Craft lifted a one out sacrifice fly to make the score 7-5. A Black Sox error with two outs and nobody on extended the inning and the Marlins would make them pay for that error. Dave Mitchell followed with a RBI double to make it 7-6. The Black Sox then chose to intentionally walk Girard. Mitchell stole third as ball four was being delivered and with runners on first and third, Girard then stole second. "Rookie" Marlin, Billy Smith, then came through with a single that plated two runs, giving the Marlins a 8-7 lead.

The Marlins then brought in Girard to close out the game and he retired 6 of the 7 batters he faced, striking out the side in the seventh to earn the save.

The Black Sox are going to be a tough out in the B-playoffs if they can get healthy. Good luck the rest of the way to Don Wixon and his crew.

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 11th of June 2014 09:23:20 AM

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 11th of June 2014 09:23:37 AM