The Niagara Metros had a solid week last week as they went 2 – 1 in league play to garner Team of the Week honors for Week XIII of the COBA Major League season.

 

Niagara got their week started off on the road as they traveled to Mississauga for a game with the Erindale Cardinals. Niagara got on the board first in this one as they plated a run in the first, however, Erindale answered back with three in the bottom half for a 3-1 lead. Niagara chipped into that lead with another un in the 3^rd inning, but again Erindale answer back with three runs and a 6-2 lead after three innings.

 

The Metros kept at it as they scored single runs in the 4^th and 6^th innings and then added four more runs in the 7^th inning to take an 8-6 lead. The teams traded runs in the bottom of the 7^th and the top of the 8^th but the Cardinals added three runs in the bottom of the 8^th inning. The Cards pitching made that lead stand up as the Metros dropped this one by a score of 10-9.

 

Dave Davidson led the way at the dish for Niagara going 2-for-3 with a double, a pair of walks, a run and two RBI. Ethan Pasco was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and a stolen base while Chris Anderi was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs. Nathan Laird was 1-for-3 with his first COBA Major home run, a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs while Matt Casburn (2B) and Brandon Underhill (R, RBI) each had a hit.

 

Liam Jacques drew the starting assignment for the Metros and went six innings allowing six runs, all earned, while scattering 10 hits. He walked five batters while striking out two. Dylan Perego relieved him and took the loss throwing two innings and allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits. He walked no one while striking out three.

 

Niagara was back at it on Thursday at home as the Milton Red Sox providing the opposition at George Taylor Field. The Metros opened the scoring in this one as they grabbed a pair of runs and a 2-0 lead after two innings. The teams then traded single runs in the 3^rd inning and a pair of runs in the 4^th inning for a 5-3 Niagara lead after four innings.

 

Milton got another run back in the 5^th inning but the Metros put up four runs in the 7^th and two more in the 8^th inning to take an 11-4 lead. Milton would manage one more run, but Niagara would take this contest by a final score of 11-5.

 

Jono Marcheterre led the 14-hit Metros attack going 3-for-3 with a walk, a pair of runs and three RBI. Fellow vet Jonathan Paul was 3-for-4 with a run and three RBI while Davidson was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Laird was 3-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base while Pasco was 1-for-5 with a double, a run, a pair of RBIs and a stolen base. Matt Bagnulo had a 2-run double in a pinch-hit appearance.

 

Jacob Renpenning got the start on the hill for Niagara and went 4 2/3 innings allowing four runs (all earned) on one hit. He walked nine batters while striking out four. Nick Submaraniam collecting the win in relief as he went 1 1/3 innings in his first outing this season. He allowed no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out three. Justin Ayles closed out the last three innings allowing an unearned run on two hits and struck out four to collect the save.

 

In their finale on the week, Niagara hit the road again this time for a trip to Connorvale Park and a clash with the league leading Etobicoke Rangers. The Rangers would strike first in this one with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 1^st inning. Niagara, however, would plate single run in the 2^nd and 3^rd innings to tie the game 2-2 after three innings.

 

The Metros would break in open in the 4^th inning though as they struck for a 6-run inning and an 8-2 lead. The pesky Rangers wouldn’t go quietly though as they scored a single run in the 6^th inning and four more in the 7^th inning to cut the lead to 8-7. Niagara would take on some insurance in the 9^th inning as they plated three runs and hung on for an 11-7 victory.

 

Paul had another huge game going 4-for-5 with a walk, two runs and a pair of RBIs. Laird continued his hot week going 3-for-6 with a double, a pair of runs and two stolen bases. Marcheterre was 2-for-6 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base while Ricky Ferri made his first appearance of the year going 2-for-5 with a double and a run.

 

Brandon Underhill started this game for the Metros and collected the win going 6 2/3 innings allowing seven runs (one earned) while scattering 14 Rangers hits. He walked three batters while striking out two. Andrew Cartaginese finished up with 2 1/3 innings allowing no runs on three hits. He walked one batter while striking out three.

 

Here are the rest of the Week XIII results from the COBA Major League:

 

Monday, July 22^nd

Etobicoke Rangers vs Erindale Cardinals - PPD (Rain)

 

Tuesday, July 23^rd

Oakville A’s – 2

Mississauga SW Twins – 12

WP – David Sigmund; LP – Jordan Inkol

HR – John Broll (Miss SW)

 

Niagara Metros – 9

Erindale Cardinals – 10

WP – Evan Harrison; LP – Dylan Perego

HR – Nathan Laird (Niag.); Jay Woodford (Erin.)

 

Wednesday, July 24^th

Erindale Cardinals – 2

Burlington Brants – 6

WP – Cam Ryerson; LP – Dan Nauth

 

Etobicoke Rangers – 9

Milton Red Sox – 8

WP – Adam McBride; LP – Justin Newbold

HR – Jason Schneider (Milt.)

 

Thursday, July 25^th

Milton Red Sox – 5

Niagara Metros – 11

WP – Nick Submaraniam; SV – Justin Ayles; LP – Ian Zettle

 

Oakville A’s – 12

Burlington Brants – 2

WP – Curtis Braun; LP – Evan Krychowski

HR – Dan Beaver, Blake Donaldson (Oak.)

 

Mississauga SW Twins – 3

Brampton Royals – 13

WP – Brad McLaughlin; LP – Stephen Nahrabeki

HR – Jaykob Turner (Miss SW)

 

Friday, July 26^th

Niagara Metros – 11

Etobicoke Rangers – 7

WP – Brandon Underhill; LP – Andrew Hyde

 

Brampton Royals – 9

Oakville A’s – 10

WP – Alex Fulton; LP – Yannick Rickli

 

Saturday, July 27^th

Burlington Brants – 12

Milton Red Sox – 1

WP – Mike Westlake; LP – Jason Schneider