Staff
Jeremiah Windego delivered a bomb, then gave a blunt observation after touching home plate.
“Playoffs, boys!”
His teammates got the message loud and clear.
Windego’s lead-off homer ignited a 10-run first inning that sparked Windey’s Warriors to a 15-5 pounding of the visiting Sabaskong Cubs last night in their first-round Rainy River District Fastball League quarter-final match-up at Couchiching.
Cubs’ starter Kevin Copenace lasted only two-thirds of an inning before being yanked as the East Division’s third seed sent 15 batters to the plate in their opening-inning blitz.
Winning pitcher Rob McGinnis singled in Shelby Nosan to make it 2-0, then capped the assault with Windey’s second three-run homer of the frame to chase Copenace.
Stu Allan had the other dinger for the Warriors, who next will take on the second-ranked Sight & Sound Wolves in the second round Tuesday at VanJura.
The fourth-seeded Couchiching Raiders, meanwhile, treated the other Sabaskong visitors to their home park even less hospitably last night, thrashing the fifth-ranked Lakers 23-2.
Ryan MacDonald and Ian Lockman each smacked two homers apiece in the win.
Mike Jourdain earned the win for Couchiching, which now faces the daunting task of handling the East’s top team, the Rainy Lake Pirates, on Tuesday at the St. Francis Sports Field.
Merlin Kelly took the loss for the Lakers, who will stage a do-or-die battle with the sixth-ranked Cubs in an all-Sabaskong match-up on Tuesday, with the loser being ousted from the double-elimination playoffs.
In the West Division last night, the third-ranked Stratton Eagles cruised to a 19-1 home rout over the sixth-ranked Rainy River Royals.
Guy Arpin notched the win while Benji Dobransky was tagged with the loss.
Stratton’s second-round guest Tuesday will be the fifth-seeded Manitou Thunderbirds, who were the only road team to win last night with a 17-12 victory over the host fourth-ranked Dawson Tigers.
Jeff Morrison went the distance on the mound and added a homer.
Nathan DeBungee help the cause with a grand slam while Austin Jack also homered.
Matt Anderson took the loss for the Tigers, who next face the Royals on Tuesday in a win-or-go-home scenario.
