Local Roundup: Bruins battle back for win
The Union staff
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12:01 a.m. PT Mar 26, 2008
Things weren't looking so good for Bear River's unscathed Pioneer Valley League record Tuesday, as the Bruins trailed host Lincoln 6-2 entering the seventh and final inning.
But back Bear River came, putting together the five runs they needed in a 7-6 win that moved the Bruins to 3-0 in league and 8-4 overall.
"Going into the seventh inning, Lincoln had all the momentum," said Bear River coach Mike Viola. "But we put together a couple of back-to-back hits and a home run. That got the guys up and we got it."
That home run came off the bat of Viola's senior son, Vince, who drove home a three-run bomb to make things 6-5. James McCririe and Drew Loftus each singled before Viola brought them home.
From there, with two outs, Chad Smith drew a walk and Nolan Lewis was hit by a pitch. Kyle Waldman then singled home Smith to knot things at 6-6 and Lewis later scored on a passed ball for the final margin.
With two outs in the bottom half of the final frame, and the potential tying run at first base, Viola forced a fly ball off the bat of a Lincoln hitter that flew down the first base line.
Waldman sped from second base and snagged the fly for the game's final out.
