Stros Edge Spos in Semis

The Astros booked their spot in the FInal with a a closely contested 9-8 victory over the Expos.

It looked like the 7th Seeded Expos’ night as they took a 4-0 lead in the 1st inning, highlighted by a 2 RBI Double from Breandan McLaughlin. The Astros could only muster a couple of runs in response.

In the 2nd, Zach Bos and Cian Sexton combined to shutout the Expos from the mound, while they both hit doubles to help the Astros take the lead, 6-4. That lead was short-lived, as the very dangerous top of the order for the Expos got three runs back right away. Diego Peranio got on base again as he continued his strong play at the plate, while Breandan McLaughlin continued his big night, this time with a 2 run Triple.

Big Micah Barker came in to pitch for the Expos in the bottom of the third and proceeded to shut down the Astros’ attack, while his team added a run to take an 8-6 lead into the 5th.

Things were looking bleak for the Astros, but they gained some life from 2 K’s from Ronan Sexton on the mound, and brilliant play from 3B Andy Min who threw out Breandan at home for the third out.

Hopes were still slim, however, as Micah continued to throw hard and pitch for strikes,  getting two quick K’s to start the bottom of the 5th. The Astros showed their first signs of getting back as Logan Clark singled, and then Cian Sexton walked. The Expos brought in Breandan McLaughlin, the Fastest Pitch Champion from this year’s All-Star Saturday.  In a battle of Angels team-mates, Ronan Sexton came up big, ripping a 2 RBI Triple into Center Field to tie the game. He would then go home on a passed ball, giving the Astros a slim 1 run lead heading into the final frame. That 1 run margin proved to be enough, as Ronan closed it out from the mound  in the top of the 6th.

The Expos had fought bravely and had made the Astros work hard for every bit of the 9-8 victory.  It was a game that could have gone either way and the Astros were thankful to come up with the win.