Going the Distance - Sultans beat Giants

The Carillon Sultans season is still alive.

Joe Esau drove in Josh Epp with what would turn out to be the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Sultans edged the Elmwood Giants 2-1 on Wednesday night at A.D. Penner Park in Steinbach.

The best-of-three Manitoba Junior Baseball League opening round series is now tied at a game a piece.

"Everyone really stepped up," said Esau. "We played very well defensively and we got the offense when we needed to. It was a good team win for sure."

Dustin Braun got the win and scored Carillon's first run of the game.

He dashed home from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The game two starter went the distance and allowed just two hits.

The Sultans, who lost the series opener 3-2 on Tuesday night at Koskie Field, gave up a run in the top of the seventh but the Giants left the tying run stranded at third base.

The deciding third game goes tonight back in Winnipeg.

"We're not a team who's going to score a ton of runs so we've got to pitch well and just play good defense behind our pitcher and have timely hits and score a couple of runs," Epp said.

Tonight's winner will join the St. Boniface Legionaires, the defending champion Pembina Valley Orioles and the Altona Bisons in the semifinals.

The Legionaires blanked the Winnipeg South Chiefs 4-0 on Wednesday at Charleswood Park and swept that series in two straight.

The Orioles and Bisons got a bye to round two.