Arkills-McLain Walk-Off Single KOs Roughriders 5-4

The Garfield Bulldogs came from behind against the Roosevelt Roughriders to knock off their city rivals. Roosevelt’s starting pitcher retired the first 11 batters he faced before Chandler Honican, fresh off a battle with the flu, broke up the perfect game in the bottom of the 4th inning with a single to right-center field. Garfield was able to score 3 runs in the 5th inning to take a 3-1 lead on a RBI single by Tavish Fenbert in his Varsity debut, a sacrifice fly by Hayes Gorecki, and a RBI single by Derek Billey. Bulldogs starter Owen Vickrey threw 5 great innings, allowing only 2 hits and 1 run. The Riders roughed up the Bulldogs relief pitcher Duncan Skerrett in the 6th inning to even the score at 3. Skerrett responded by leading off the bottom of the 6th inning with an inside-the-park home run down the right field line to put the Bulldogs ahead 4-3. Roosevelt was able to score another run off Gorecki in the 7th to even it up. Garfield loaded the bases in the 7th inning with 2 outs, setting the table for right fielder Justin Arkills-McLain to hit a walkoff single to right-center. It was the second walkoff hit at Garfield by Arkills-McLain this spring. The Bulldogs team mobbed the clutch hitting outfielder on the field after Honican scored the game-winning run. Defensive highlights included an outfield assist at home plate on a throw by the left fielder Skerrett as well as an over-the-shoulder catch by Dominick Lewis deep down the left field line on his first play after entering the game as a defensive sub.
With the win, Garfield Varsity moves to 2-2 in league play, 3-5 overall. Their next scheduled game is Friday at Newport. After a 12-2 loss at Roosevelt, the JV team has a record of 0-3 in conference and 2-5 overall. Garfield JV will host Newport on Friday afternoon.