By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Brandon Becker’s grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning erased a four run deficit for St. Charles on Monday night, allowing the Comets to secure a 5-5 tie with visiting Dutchtown in the season opener for both teams.

“Our guys didn’t quit,” said SCC coach Paul Waguespack. “We fought back and had a chance to win at the end of the game.

“Last year, we lost 18-1 to these guys, so I’d say we made a bit of an improvement.”

Becker’s slam was followed by a single by Nick Reine and a double by D.J. Wesley, which set up the potential winning run. But with two outs, the Griffins were able to slam the door with no further damage incurred.

“We just needed another timely hit. We had a couple of scoring chances that we missed on,” said Waguespack. “Becker came up with the key hits, and we need more of that.”

Becker finished with five RBIs.

His first hit gave St. Charles (0-0-1) a 1-0 lead in the first inning of play, after his single plated James Krawczyk.

Dutchtown (0-0-1) answered with a run in the second inning to tie the game. The Griffins opened up a 3-1 lead in the third inning, and extended it to 5-1 with runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Down to their last gasp, the Comets’ rally began with one out in the seventh. Matt Bonnecarre was hit by a pitch. Keith White walked, and Alex Marse did the same to load the bases.

Dutchtown got the Comets to two outs after inducing an infield pop fly. But Becker’s  base-clearing swing denied the Griffins victory a batter later, and kept the loss column clear for SCC.

“I thought we played okay,” said Waguespack. “I’m happy to come out the gate with a solid effort.”