Angels scuttle Buccaneers

A drizzly Hydebank Park greeted the Belfast Angels and the Bangor Buccaneers today but the weather could not dampen the drama that would unfold over the course of the afternoon.

With last week’s one run loss against the Cubs still ringing in their ears, the Angels were determined not to fall behind early again and, as they got out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning and got out to a 4-0 lead by the third, confidence would begin to grow. The Buccaneers however had other plans for Jonny Craven and Jay Slevin’s team.

A seven run explosion in the fourth would shock the Angels, as would the three runs added on in the fifth and, after playing stellar defence, another four in the sixth to run out to a 15-6 lead.

The Halos would not roll over however, utilising savvy baserunning to claw back four runs as the game moved into its last inning.

In the seventh, Sinead Shackley, Melvin Woods and Sean Shackley would themselves put on a defensive clinic, giving the Angels the best chance of reigning in the visitors.

Woods would get things started in the bottom of the seventh eventually leading to the game being tied and going to extras and, with Jonny Craven at second base in the bottom of the eighth, the big lefthander would send a frozen rope out to right field, giving Craven more than enough time to round third and home into the arms of his victorious teammates.

Next up for the Belfast Angels are the league leading Sliders at Hydebank on Tuesday night at 7pm.