Barre nips Sandstone in title game thriller

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barre’s Tyler Gibson celebrates after driving in the winning run against Sandstone this afternoon in the Albion Midget League playoff championship game at the Midget League Field. Jason Conn (33), who drove in the tying run is in the foreground.

In a wild finish, Barre rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to nip Sandstone 9-8 in the Albion Midget League playoff championship game this afternoon at the Midget League Field.

A triple by Josh Bovenzi ignited the last ditch rally as Jason Conn singled in the tying run and Tyler Gibson doubled in the game winner earning Barre a third straight playoff title.

Sandstone had rallied into a 8-7 lead by scoring 6 runs in the top of the sixth. A two-run single by Cencere Lowe capped off that big uprising which also included a single by Jake Hughson 3 walks and 3 errors.

Sandstone also got off to a quick start as Caleb Fox banged out a two-run triple in the first inning.

However, Barre answered right back with 3 runs in the home half of the first on doubles by Conn, Tyler Gibson and Jack Ludwick and a single by Brad Martin.

Barre then upped the advantage to 7-2 by tallying 4 times in the third on a leadoff home run by Tyler Gibson, a two-run single by Nate Gibson and an error. Singles by Cade Wolcott and Ludwick also aided the uprising.

Tyler Gibson, who had a total of 4 hits, also pitched the first 5 innings for Barre allowing only 2 hits and striking out 11. He registered 2 clutch strikeouts to get out of a bases loaded jam in the  fifth inning, A single by Hughson and 2 walks had loaded the bases for Sandstone.

Top seeded Barre, which finishes the season at 16-0, bested Vets 7-3 in the semifinals while No. 2 Sandstone downed St. Mary’s 8-4 in the other semi.

Sandstone’s Jake Hughson and Barre’s Nate Gibson bang out base hits.

Barre players and coaches celebrate after capturing a third straight Albion Midget League playoff title.