Just call them the “Cardiac Kids.”
There were a few heart-stopping moments May 17 as the Innisfail Indians needed extra innings to knock off the Olds Athletics 4-3 in their season-opener.
Indians ace Jay Kirkham was the hero, driving in Damon Dreeshen with the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Dreeshen had led off the inning by lining an offering from the A’s Chris Grudeski down the left field line for a leadoff double. After Grudeski struck out Brennen Nicolay, Indians manager Steven Bouteiller advanced Dreeshen to third with a groundout to short, with Kirkham on deck. Kirkham’s hard hit grounder to the hole in between short and third was enough, as A’s shortstop Aaron Sept was forced to range deep to his right to make the play. His long throw to first wasn’t in time, allowing Dreeshen to cross the plate with the winning run.
Bouteiller said he was proud of how his team responded after giving up the lead in the top half of the seventh. He said the experience was a bonding moment for the team.
“That’s the best way to start,” he said. “It really gets the team together.”
Kirkham had held Olds off the score sheet until the fifth, when the A’s scored two to cut the lead to one. They completed the comeback in the top of the seventh. Left fielder Brent Olson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Derek Olson. Ryan Barrett then laced an RBI double down the right field line, plating Brent Olson with the tying run. Following another walk and an error, Olds loaded the bases with one out. After a brief chat on the mound, Bouteiller elected to leave Kirkham in, and his pitcher responded. After striking out Mark Smyth, Kirkham retired Sept on a groundout to third.
Kirkham said he was concentrating on throwing strikes and getting the ball in play after the chat.
“I’m really glad the coaches gave me the opportunity,” he said. “(I’m) glad it all worked out.”
Bouteiller said he was confident Kirkham could provide a clutch hit.
“There was no better guy to have at the plate in the late going,” Bouteiller said. “He came up big.”
Kirkham picked up the complete game win, allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits over nine innings, while striking out eight and walking three.
The A’s Grudeski allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits over nine innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks.
The Indians host the Eckville Expos tomorrow night before traveling to Red Deer on Friday.
-30-
3k 1k 3k 1k 8 strikeouts
1h 2h 1h 2h 2h 1h 1h 10 hits
1bb 2bb 3 walks
GRUDESKI
2k 2k 2k 1k
0h 1h 1h 1h
2bb
1e 1e
