The Empire State Greys (3-9) traveled to Trois-Rivières (5-8) and opened the series with a dramatic 8-7 victory.
Empire State started the game off hot offensively taking a 3-0 lead in the first. The first three Greys singled to start the game including a Cristopher Cespedes RBI single to centerfield to drive in Eric Jenkins. Josh Sears and Zack Whalin added offense in the following at-bats with a sacrifice fly and RBI single respectively.
The Aigles answered back in the second for three of their own and set the tone for a back-and-forth affair. Sadler Goodwin hit a sac fly to get their offense going and Nate Scantlin tied up the game with a 2 RBI single.
Over the course of the middle innings the two clubs scraped together different rallies resulting in a 5-5 tie heading into the bottom of the seventh after Mike Gulino took an inside pitch and sent it to the lounge area in left field for a solo shot for the Greys. But, With runners on first and second, Steve Brown delivered for the Aigles with a 2 RBI double giving them a 7-5 lead.
After scratching one back in the eighth, the Greys trailed 7-6 heading into the ninth. With runners on first and second, Josh Sears tied the game with a hard-hit double. The next two Greys struck out and it appeared as if the Greys would strand the two runners in scoring position with nobody out. JR DiSarcina would not let that happen as he roped a single off Jesen Therrien (L) to drive in the go-ahead run giving Empire State an 8-7 lead.
Wilber Perez entered the game for the Greys in the ninth to close it out. Working around a pair of walks, Perez was able to get the job done earning his first save of the season and got Tanner Propst his first win of the season in the process.
The Greys will square up against the Aigles tomorrow night at 6:05 EST in game two of the three game set.