By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

REAPERS answered back in the New Providence Amateur Baseball League championship game on Monday, holding off Rebels 10-9 at Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium to even the series at one game apiece.

After Rebels took game one 11-5 on Friday, Reapers found themselves in another dog fight that went back and forth before taking control in the fifth inning.

The game was tied at nine entering the top of the fifth when Chrached Laing was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home the go-ahead run and putting Reapers ahead for good.

It was the latest swing in a game that saw the lead change hands four times, with neither team able to establish control for long.

Rebels struck first in the bottom of the first inning after Junel Bain singled to score a run.

Reapers responded in the second, taking a 3-1 lead. Pheron Charlton singled to drive in one run before Alfred Ferguson doubled to bring home two more.

Rebels answered with four runs in the bottom of the third to move back in front 5-3. An error allowed two runs to score, while Toby Simmons singled home another run before a steal of home added the fourth run of the inning.

Reapers again responded in the fourth.

D’Juan Seymour reached on a fielder’s choice to bring home a run, followed by RBI walks from Christian Wright, Laing and T. Cartwright as Reapers scored four times to take a 7-5 lead.

Rebels immediately answered in the bottom half of the inning, producing another four-run frame to regain the advantage at 9-7.

Amahj McPee doubled down the left-field line to bring home a run, while a dropped third strike, a Bain single and a Rashad Martin single each produced another run.

That left Reapers with one final opportunity to respond, and the defending side of the series came through in the fifth.

Justin Colebrooke opened the inning with a single to centre field before Wright walked. Laing was then hit by a pitch to bring home a run as Reapers scored three times, moving back in front 10-9.

Unlike the previous innings, Rebels could not answer.

Reapers kept Rebels off the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth to secure the one-run victory and level the championship series.

The box score reflected how evenly matched the contest was. Reapers finished with 10 runs on eight hits, while Rebels scored nine runs on nine hits.

Reapers also drew 13 walks, giving the team additional opportunities throughout the game. Ferguson and Wright each drew three walks, while Charlton and Colebrooke collected two hits apiece.

Ferguson, Wright and Laing each drove in two runs for Reapers, while Charlton stole three bases. Reapers finished with four stolen bases.

Aaron Knowles started on the mound for Reapers and worked five innings, allowing nine hits and nine runs, seven earned. He struck out three and walked three.

Roberto Lamour provided the difference late, throwing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit. He struck out four and walked one.

For Rebels, Chedi Ferguson went 3-for-3 to lead the nine-hit attack. Bain went 2-for-2, while Simmons went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs.

Bain and Simmons each stole multiple bases as Rebels finished with five stolen bases.

The 10-9 result gives Reapers the response they needed after losing game one and leaves the championship series tied at 1-1, with the title still up for grabs.