Michael Kiral / L’Observateur / July 22, 1998

LAPLACE – The NOAH Gators forced a third game against Baker in the 9-10 year old District II tournament with a nailbiting 7-6 victory at home Sunday evening.

Baker, which defeated the Gators, 7-3, at home Saturday, hosted the deciding game Monday evening.

Baker jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and increased it to 5-0 in the top of the third on two singles, a double and three walks.

NOAH rallied to tie the score in the bottom of the inning. Darin Helm ledoff with a walk and Casey Robottom followed with a triple into the right- center field gap to cut the deficit to 5-1. Robottom then came in to scoreas Mike Turcuit hit a fly ball to right.

After Kyle Olasin walked and went to second on a wild pitch, Kendall Diggs doubled to center field, sending Olasin to third. Olasin then came in toscore and Diggs advanced to third on a wild pitch.

Chase Berthelot walked and stole second, putting two runners in scoring position. One out later, Benny Gomez lined a shot off the first baseman’sglove into right field, scoring Diggs and Berthelot to tie the game at 5.

Diggs came up with a big defensive play after Baker put the lead-off hitter on in the top of the fourth, snaring a line drive at shortstop and throwing to Berthelot at first to double up the runner.

NOAH took the lead in the bottom of the inning as Robottom led off with a walk. Turcuit then lined out to short but Robottom was able to advance tosecond as the shortstop’s throw went past first on the double play attempt.

Olasin followed with a triple into the right-center gap, scoring Robottom to give the Gators a 6-5 lead. That lead was increased to 7-5 as Olasincame in to score on a ground out to short by Diggs.

Olasin, who went the distance on the mound for the Gators, got out of a jam in the top of the fifth, coming up with a strike out with two outs and a runner on third.

Olasin started the final inning by grabbing a ground ball and making the play at first base himself. Baker followed with consecutive singles beforeOlasin got the next batter to ground out to Jonathan Necaise at third.

Another single brought in a run to cut the NOAH lead to 7-6. But Robottomthen knocked down a grounder near the second base bag and made a back- handed flip to Diggs for the force out to end the game.

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