Expert Express  tops Moose for second place

By Tim Chambers
STAR STAFF
tchambers@starhq.com

   It was a race for second place from start to finish, with the 18 wheelers outrunning the Moose to the finish line.
   In the last game of the Junior Babe Ruth regular season, Expert Express scored six runs in an extra frame to knock off Moose 10-6.
   Moose outhit the Truckers 12-3 but Expert took advantage of every opportunity given to earn the win. Moose jumped on top 1-0 in the first after Jeff Peters tripled but was cut down at the plate on a fielder's choice. Brooks Price delivered an RBI single, giving the Bullwinkles the early lead.
   Moose added another run in the second when Terry Campbell walked and later scored after consecutive singles from Dexter Price, Jonathan Canady and Jeff Peters. Jeff Wilson was able to pitch our of a jam to keep the Moose ahead 2-0.
   The truckers slapped on four runs in the third inning when Jeremy Wright walked, as did Wesley Keylon. A two-out triple by Nick McNeal brought home two, and McNeal would later score for a 3-2 advantage.
   After the truckers took a 4-2 advantage Moose sliced the lead at one after Jonathan Canady singled, stole second and later scored on a base hit by Peters. The Bullwinkles tied the score when Brooks Price singled and later scored on a double by Thomas Dearstone.
   The truckers decided to put the pedal to the medal while shifting into high gear to start the sixth inning. Bishop led off with a big double while Wilson was intentionally walked. Two consecutive free passes to Will Wagner and Nick Papantoniou aided by two more errors was enough to raise the antlers on coach C.Y. Peters' head.
   Moose tried to rally in the sixth after Dexter "Dynamite" Price singled and Brandon Whitehead doubled, but the rally was shortlived as Expert and company lassoed the herd and put them away safely to claim the runner-up prize.
   McNeal when the distance for the win while Dearstone took the loss in relief. McNeal was the big stick for the Truckers. going 2 for 3 while Bishop had a double to help the cause.
   Keylon reached base three times, as did Wagner.
   Peters led the Moose by going 3 for 3, and Brooks Price added a 3-for-4 night. Dexter Price and Canady added two hits while Whitehead and Dearstone had one each.
   "I am proud of these kids and the great job they did this season," stated Expert Express manager John Papantoniou.
   "Everybody did a good job including the coaches and players."