Gatemen end drama with 14th-inning run

By Alec Sylvia, Standard-Times correspondent

WAREHAM -- Wareham took a 2-1 lead in the Cape Cod League Championship Series, earning a dramatic, 1-0 victory over Chatham in 14 innings last night.

Dell Lindsey's infield hit scored Phil Hartig with the winning run after four hours of scoreless baseball, ending the longest scoreless game in Cape Cod League history.

Wareham is looking to wrap up its second straight league championship when the best-of-five series resumes at 7 tonight in Chatham.

In the most suspenseful game of the season, Wareham's Ben Sheets and Chatham's Rik Currier engaged in an old-fashioned pitchers' duel.

Currier left after nine innings, having allowed five hits, four walks and striking out nine.

Sheets pitched through the 11th, allowing just three singles while striking out 16 Athletics without walking any. The 16 strikeouts tied the Cape Cod League playoff record.

Wareham had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the 11th when Matt Riordan led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third on Larry Bigbie's grounder to second. Chatham walked Blair Barbier and Phil Hartig reached on an infield chopper, but the runners were unable to advance.

The A's strategy paid off when Scott Walter hit a roller to second baseman Matt Kata, who stepped on the bag and threw to first for the double play.

Chatham's best chance came in the top of the 10th. With Matt Cepicky at third with two outs, Jason Alcarez scorched a Sheets' fastball that appeared to be ticketed for left field, but a diving, midair stab by Dell Lindsey saved a run and the game for the Gatemen.

Wareham had an opportunity of its own in the bottom of the inning when Spencer Oborn lifted a high fly down the left field line. Cepicky's headfirst dive fell short and the ball rolled to the wall for a triple, but the inning came to a screeching halt when Shawn Stephenson popped up the next offering.

Staff photos by Mike Valeri
Getting ready for last night's championship round game against Chatham, Gatemen Barry Zito, Will Waldrip and Phil Devey provide one another a little back-to-back-to-back support, top. The game developed into a pitchers' duel, and Wareham starter Ben Sheets helped his own scoreless cause by picking off Chatham's David Raymer, 2. The tag is applied by first baseman Phil Hartig.