There were a few heart-stopping moments May 17 as the Innisfail Indians needed extra innings to knock off the Olds Athletics 4-3 in their season opener.
Indians' ace Jay Kirkham drove in Damon Dreeshen with the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
Dreeshen had led off the inning by lining an offering from the Athletics' Chris Grudeski down the left field line for a leadoff double.
After Grudeski struck out Brennen Nicolay, Indians manager Steven Bouteiller advanced Dreeshen to third with a groundout to short, with Kirkham on deck.
Kirkham's hard hit grounder to the hole in between short and third was enough, as A's shortstop Aaron Sept was forced to range deep to his right to make the play. His long throw to first wasn't in time, allowing Dreeshen to cross the plate with the winning run.
Bouteiller said he was proud of how his team responded after giving up the lead in the top half of the seventh.
Kirkham had held Olds off the scoresheet until the fifth, when the A's scored two to cut the lead to one.
They completed the comeback in the top of the seventh.
Left fielder Brent Olson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Derek Olson.
Ryan Barrett then laced an RBI double down the right field line, plating Brent Olson with the tying run.
Following another walk and an error, Olds loaded the bases with one out.
After a brief chat on the mound, Bouteiller elected to leave Kirkham in, and his pitcher responded. After striking out Mark Smyth, Kirkham retired Sept on a groundout to third.
Kirkham picked up the complete game win, allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits over nine innings, while striking out eight and walking three.
The Athletics' Grudeski allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits over nine innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks.
