In a game that kept fans holding their breath until the final out, the New York Gremlins emerged victorious with a tension-filled 1-0 win over the NorthEast Drillers in the Winner’s Bracket Final at the 2024 ISC World Tournament on Friday night, August 16, 2024. This win secures the Gremlins’ spot in the 2024 ISC World Tournament Championship Game, setting the stage for an exciting finale. They are the lone unbeaten team left in the tournament which started last Saturday.
Besgrove’s Masterclass
The star of the show was undoubtedly Jack Besgrove, who delivered a masterful performance on the mound for the Gremlins. Besgrove went the distance, pitching a complete game shutout while racking up an impressive 10 strikeouts. His pinpoint control was evident as he allowed just four hits and one walk over seven innings, keeping the Drillers’ offense at bay throughout the contest.
Tight Defense and Timely Hitting
While Besgrove dominated on the mound, the Gremlins’ defense played error-free ball behind him, with catcher Nick Mullins handling a team-high nine chances flawlessly. The game’s lone run came in the third inning when leadoff hitter Mathieu Roy, who had a stellar 2-for-3 day at the plate, delivered a clutch single to drive in Ladislao Malarczuk, who had singled to lead off the inning.
Click video to see the Game Winning Hit by Mathieu Roy
Drillers’ Valiant Effort
The NorthEast Drillers didn’t go down without a fight. Their pitcher, Huemul Mata, matched Besgrove nearly pitch for pitch, allowing just one run on six hits over seven innings while striking out nine. The Drillers’ offense showed signs of life with hits from Blake Underwood, Teo Migliavacca, Zac Shaw, and Jordan Solorio, but couldn’t break through against Besgrove’s dominance.
Key Moments
The Drillers threatened in the third inning, getting two singles with no outs. However, Besgrove showcased his composure and skill by retiring the next three batters in order to escape the jam. In the nail-biting seventh inning, Blake Underwood led off with a hit and advanced to second, putting the tying run in scoring position. Rising to the challenge, Besgrove bore down and struck out the side to end the game in dramatic fashion.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the NY Gremlins have punched their ticket to the 2024 ISC World Tournament Championship Game. The team will look to carry the momentum from this hard-fought win into the final, where they’ll aim to capture the coveted title. The Gremlins are the defending champions, having won the tournament in 2023.
As the tournament reaches its climax, all eyes will be on the Gremlins to see if they can maintain their winning form and bring home the championship. With performances like Besgrove’s shutout, they’ve certainly shown they have what it takes to go all the way.
The Championship Game is slated for 5:30 PM PDT Saturday at Softball City in Surrey, B.C. a game that will be streamed live on the ISC Network.