In yet another close playoff game between Kanata and the Brewers, Kanata squeezed out a 4-3 win, winning 4-3 for the 3rd straight meeting between these teams in 2001. Also, this is now the 3rd straight year in which Kanata has won game 1 versus the Brewers behind the pitching of Mike Watters.
Watters cruised through the first 4 innings, and not giving up a hit until the 4th. Meanwhile, Brewers starter Matt Beelen pitched out of a 1st and 3rd and one out situation in the 1st inning getting a 4-6-3 double play. After cruising through the 2nd, Kanata struck in the third. After Mosely singled to lead off, Chad Hopewell ripped a double down the left field line. After the Brewers intentionally walked Shawn Hopewell to load the bases, Dan Rollin and Jeff Rawson each hit RBI sac flies to give Kanata a 2-0 lead. Kanata added to the lead in the 4th when Watters doubled and then Majkowski hit him in with an RBI single to right field. Kanata loaded the bases but couldn't cash any more runs in as the score stood at 3-0.
The Brewers looked to come back in the 5th. Keith Blouin started the rally with a triple to right field that the right fielder dove for, but missed. Joe Beelen then hit an RBI single to score the Brewers first run. Then after a Kanata error on a bunt attempt, then an unsuccessful Brewer bunt attempt, and then a strike out, Matt Beelen hit an RBI single to score Mike Gingerich from 2nd base with 2 outs. Jason Krottner then hit another bloop single, but Kanata's Shawn Hopewell threw out Matt Beelen trying to go to 3rd base before Mark Keenan could cross home plate, thus the score remained at 3-2.
In the bottom of the frame, Hugh Kellam hit a triple to dead center field, and then scored on a wild pitch. In the 6th, the Brewers got runners on first and second with nobody out but still couldn't cash in a run. Matt Beelen cruised through the 6th with a 6 pitch inning.
The game went to the 7th inning with Kanata leading 4-2. Mark Keenan led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Jon Zywicki then attempted a bunt to get on, and forced Kanata to throw the ball away thus allowing Keenan to score. Unfortunately for the Brewers, this is all they could cash in and the game ended 4-3.
Player of the Game : Mike Watters...pitching: 7 IP, 8 hits, 1 walk,
5 K's, 1 earned run...batting: 1/3, double, run.
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