Navigators win in extra innings

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine – North Shore Navigators starter Joe Gruntkosky (Peabody/St. Joseph’s) had a strong outing, throwing five and a third innings and only giving up three earned runs, as the Navs defeated the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide, 5-4, in a Futures Collegiate League contest at The Ball Park Thursday evening.Gruntkosky worked into the 6th inning until he ran into some trouble. A leadoff double by the Raging Tide put a runner in scoring position with no out. After the runner was advanced over on a fielder’s choice, the Raging Tide were able to knock him in when the Navigators committed an error. This run gave the Raging Tide a 4-1 lead and proved to be the end of the night for Gruntkosky as manager Richie Hebner went to the bullpen and brought in Joe Katin (Byfield/ Keene State College).Still trailing 4-1 going into the 7th inning, the Navigators (9-3) exploded for three runs to tie the game at 4-4. Patrick Raley (Franklin, Tenn./ Charlotte) started things off with a walk. Raley advanced to second when Brad Elwood (Indian Trail, N.C./Charlotte) singled. Tim Hendricks (Mundelein, Ill./ Benedictine) kept the bats rolling with a single that originally only advanced the runners one base but an error by the right fielder allowed both runs to score and advanced Hendricks to second. Ryan Muno (La Quinta, Calif./ San Diego State) finished the scoring as he singled, which scored Hendricks from second base.The Navigators and Raging Tide stayed deadlocked at four until the 12th inning. Hendricks started off things with a double. He moved over to third when Tony Serino (Saugus/UMass) singled. Muno then stepped up to the plate and gave the Navigators a lead that they would not relinquish when he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Hendricks. Mike Weisman (North Andover/ Columbia) retired the side in order in the bottom of the 12th to preserve the win.Miles Landry (Houston, Texas/Baylor) earned the win in relief, going two innings of no-hit baseball. In total the Navigators bullpen went six and a third innings surrendering only one hit while giving up no runs.The Navigators return to action Friday night as they are at Fraser Field to play against the second-place Pittsfield Suns. There will be fireworks after the game, which can be followed on Twitter (@NSNavigators) for updates. First pitch is at 7 p.m.