COBA Major Week IX Recap feat Erindale Cardinals

On Monday night, the Cards hosted the Niagara Metros for the first time this season. The Metros opened the scoring in this one as they plated three runs in the 3^rd inning for a 3-0 lead. That lead held up until the 5^th inning when the bats finally woke up for the Cards as they plated five runs and took a 5-3 lead to the later half of the game.

Erindale continued to tack on as they added a pair of run in both the 6^th and 7^th innings to stretch their lead to a commanding 9-3. Niagara would not go quietly though as they added a pair of runs in the 8^th inning to cut into the Erindale lead but that’s as close as they would get as the Cardinals took this one by a score of 9-5.

Johnny DeWolfe led the 8-hit Erindale attack gong 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, a run scored and three RBI. Chris Novia also had a pair of hits going 2-for-3 including a double, a run scored and four RBIs while Aaron Palmer was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI. Dylan Goulah and Pip Murray-Smith had the other two hits for the Cards.

Dan Nauth drew the starting assignment for Erindale on the hill. He went three innings and gave up three runs (all unearned) on five hits. He walked three batters while striking out three. Mark Taplin threw a clean 4^th inning allowing only a hit while winner Adam Forsey also threw a scoreless inning of relief allowing two hits while walking one and striking out three.

Dan Estey came on after Forsey throwing two more clean innings allowing only a hit while striking out four Metros batters. Big lefty Andrew Mullin tossed the last two innings and was touched up for a pair of earned runs on four hits. He also collected three strikeouts.

There wasn’t much rest for the Redbirds as they were right back in action Tuesday night as they welcomed the Milton Red Sox into town for a make-up game from an earlier rain out in the season. It was all Cards early in this one as they put up three runs in the 2^nd inning and followed that up with single runs in the 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th innings to take a commanding 6-0 lead.

The pesky Red Sox kept battling though as they managed to put up a 5-spot in the 7^th inning to cut the Erindale lead to 6-5. The Cards added an insurance run in the home half though and the bullpen shut the door the rest of the way for a 7-5 victory over Milton.

Erindale pounded out 15 hits and were led by Ricardo Marin who was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Palmer was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs Adrian Butrimas was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Jay Woodford was 2-for-4 with a walk while four different Cards hitters each had a hit and an RBI to round up the Erindale offense.

Kevin Lucas drew the start for the Redbirds and continued his solid season tossing six shutout innings allowing only two hits while walking one and striking out three for his second win of the season. Zach Bayfield threw the next third of an inning and was roughed up for five runs (all earned) on one hit while walking five batters. Mark Taplin came in to put out the fire allowing only a hit while Andrew Mullin tossed the final two innings allowing nothing across and striking out three in collecting the save.

After a pair of wins at home, the Cardinals took to the road for their final game of the week as they traveled to Connorvale Park for a contest with the league leading Etobicoke Rangers. Erindale got out of the gates in a hurry in this one as they put up a run in the 1^st inning and another five runs in the 2^nd inning to take a commanding 6-0 lead after two innings.

The Rangers started to chip away though as they plated two runs in both the 6^th and 7^th innings to cut the lead to 6-4. They would add another run in the 8^th inning to make it 6-5 but Erindale added a run in the 9^th to take a 7-5 lead. The Cards couldn’t hang on though as the Rangers used two walks and a Ryan Panas walk-off home run to take the game 8-7

Erindale was led at the plate by Mike Caleb who was 3-for-3 with a double, a pair of walks, a run and an RBI. Murray-Smith was 3-for-4 with a walk and a pair of runs while Goulah (RBI), Brandonn Cole, and Alex Perez (RBI) each had a hit as well.

Brendan Fox started on the hill and was masterful as he went six innings allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits. He walked a pair of batters while striking out one. Forsey threw the 7^th inning and was touched up for a pair of runs (one earned) on no hits while walking two batters. Mullin came in for the 8^th inning and was also tagged for three runs (all earned) on one hit. He walked four batters while striking out one. Evan Harrison took the tough loss as he faced one batter giving up a home run.

Here are the rest of the results from Week IX of the COBA Major season:

Sunday, June 23^rd

Oakville A’s – 3, Burlington Brants – 4

WP – Cam Ryerson, SV – Trevor Woodjetts, LP – Matt Reagan

Burlington Brants – 4, Oakville A’s – 4

Monday, June 24^th

Niagara Metros – 5, Erindale Cardinals – 9

WP – Adam Forsey, LP – Justin Ayles

HR – Dave Davidson (Niag); Johnny Dewolfe (Erin)

Tuesday, June 25^th

Milton Red Sox – 5, Erindale Cardinals – 7

WP – Kevin Lucas, SV – Andrew Mullin, LP _ Ian Zettle

Etobicoke Rangers – 1, Mississauga SW Twins – 0

WP – Adam McBride, SV – Matt Stoddart, LP – Steven Nahabeki

Wednesday, June 26^th

Niagara Metros – 2, Milton Red Sox – 3

WP – Rhys Tapper

LP – Dylan Perego

Mississauga SW Twins – 4, Burlington Brants – 5

WP – Ryan Colling, SV – Jordan Rienzo, LP – David Sigmond

Thursday, June 27^th

Burlington Brants – 5, Brampton Royals – 4

WP – Mike Grilli, SV – Trevor Woodjetts, LP – Steve Hough

Friday, June 28^th

Erindale Cardinals – 7, Etobicoke Rangers – 8

WP – Matt Stoddart, LP – Evan Harrison

HR – Ryan Panas (Etob)

Niagara Metros – 4, Oakville A’s - 4