It was an historic Canada Day at McMillan Park in Thorold as the Anchors rallied from a team record 10 run deficit to defeat the Merritton Alliance 15-14 on a scorching hot afternoon on a game that lasted three hours and eleven minutes.

Before the game began, Thorold had a number retirement ceremony for Anchors legend Dan Boekestyn’s number 20. Boekestyn, a member of the 2022 OBA C Championship team, holds the franchise record for runs scored with 191 and stolen bases with 91. Starting his career with the Anchors in 2014, Boekestyn was a key contributor on and off the field for over a decade with Thorold’s senior baseball team.

Thorold opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning on a Mark Suntz double that scored Dylan Dempsey to make the score 1-0. After that, it was all Merritton until the bottom of the sixth as the Alliance scored the next 11 runs to push the game to the brink of being called for the 10-run mercy rule.

Merritton starter Ethan Wells was taken out of the game after five strong innings. Wells struck out eight Anchors on the afternoon while giving up just one hit and one run. Wells was virtually untouchable but the heat took its toll and after throwing 91 pitches left it up to his bullpen to protect the lead. However, the Anchors rallied for nine runs in the bottom half and after six innings Thorold trailed 11-10.

Merritton pushed the lead back out to four runs in the top of the seventh thanks in part to Ty Goss’ second home run of the day, this time a 2-run shot to right field after his previous solo home run that was a no doubt blast into the backyard of 43 Chapel St. North.

Ultimately, this was meant to be the Anchors’ day as Thorold rallied once again for five runs to complete the largest comeback in team history. The previous record for largest comeback was seven runs accomplished against the Hanover Hitmen during the 2022 OBA Championship weekend. Thorold trailed that game 7-0 before rallying for an 8-7 victory en route to winning the championship. The bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday was highlighted by a 3-run home run by Max Dobrowolski to tie the game at 14 and a Dylan Dempsey rbi single to left centrefield that scored Daniel Krasulja for the winning run to secure the walk off victory.

Nick Koenigsberger picked up his first career win with the Anchors by striking out the side in the seventh inning while giving up three runs (two earned).

Thorold travels to Beamsville (9-0) to face the league leaders on Friday night and will try to deliver the Yellow Jackets their first league loss of the season. Beamsville won the first matchup of the season between the teams by the score of 10-1. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30pm.