REISS DELIVERS - Bear River Giants pitcher Andrew Reiss gets set to let loose with a pitch during Wednesday night's Area II Tournament of Champions action against the Nevada City Indians. Reiss hurled a two-hitter highlighted by 11 strikeouts as the Giants posted an 8-2 win. See story below for details. (obfoto.com)
June 26, 2008
Reiss’ Gem Hurls BR Giants Into Finals
Andrew Reiss’ best impersonation of Tim Lincecum Wednesday night has moved the Bear River Giants one game away from the District 11 Tournament of Champions major division championship series.
With Reiss mowing down the Nevada City Indians like Lincecum has done for the San Francisco Giants this season, the Bear River version of the Giants posted an 8-2 win in Wednesday’s TOC semi-final game played on their home field.
The win vaults the Giants into today’s 7 p.m. Area II championship game against the Sierra Foothill Rangers from Colfax. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Bear River.
Today’s winner will play the winner of the Area I finals between the Rocklin Orioles and the Tri-City Yankees in a best of three series that will begin Friday night at Bear River.
In Area I action on Wednesday, the Rocklin Orioles blanked the Auburn Mariners, 4-0; and the Tri-City Yankees clubbed the Lincoln Cardinals, 15-6.
Getting back to Bear River’s win, Reiss’ strong right arm was on target as the hard throwing Giants pitcher used just 33 pitches through the game’s first four frames in subduing the Indians’ hitters.
“He threw real well,” said Giants manager Mike Ertola. “A lot of strikes and the kids played good defense behind him.”
Reiss ended up allowing just two hits, fanning 11 batters and walking just two in his five and two-thirds innings of work.
Steven Ertola, who came on to get the save for the winners in relief of Reiss, had a big evening at the plate as he stroked three doubles. He scored the game’s first run in the first inning when he connected for a two-bagger, stole third and then scored on a long sacrifice fly by Jake DePass.
The Giants tallied three more runs in the third to increase their lead to 4-0 and then put the game away with two more in the fifth inning.
Keying the defense for the winners was left fielder Ryan Anderson who made a pair of nice grabs in the outfield.