By Dan Estey
Canadian Baseball Network
The Milton Red Sox had a busy Week 12 in COBA Major League play going 2-1 and pushing their league record to 10-11-1 good enough for 1st place in the Johnson Division.

On Wednesday, the Red Sox got their week off to a bit of a sluggish start as they took it on the chin at home losing 11-1 to the Mississauga Southwest Twins. The Twins were in full control in this one as they lead 3-0 after three innings, 6-0 after six innings and were able to cement the win with five more runs in the seventh inning. 

Justin Volpato started and threw the first three innings allowing three unearned runs on two hits. He also walked three and hit two batters in taking the loss. Liam Tennant also threw three innings allowing three earned runs on seven hits and two walks. Steve Jablonski threw the seventh inning allowing four earned runs on two hits and four walks. Jordan Petruska threw six innings for the Twins to pick up the win. Offensively, Milton only managed five hits with Brandon Washkevich and Troy Findlay with two hits a piece. John Broll led the 12-hit Mississauga Southwest attack with three hits including a two-run home run. 

On Saturday, the Brampton Royals rolled into the Milton Sports Complex to take on the Red Sox  in a matinee double header. The Sox managed to sweep the two game set from the Royals by scores of 7-4 and 8-5. In Game 1, the Royals jumped out early against Milton veteran hurler Ian Zettle putting up three runs in the top of the first inning. The Red Sox answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the first inning and added on two more in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. The game stayed tight until the bottom of the sixth when Milton put up another three runs to cement the 7-4 victory. Zettle took the win throwing a complete game and allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits. He walked one batter and struck out three Royals. Ryan Thompson took the loss for the Royals tossing six innings with Brandon Habibi throwing the seventh. Donnie Smith led the Milton offensive attack with three hits, including a double, two stolen bases and two RBI. James Bruce had two hits and collected two RBI as well. Steve Lauzon ripped a triple while Kevin Cooper knocked an RBI single. Marco DiRoma led the Brampton offence with a two hit performance. 

Game 2 started off the opposite of game one with Milton jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead after two innings. Brampton answered back in the third inning with two runs to cut the lead to 5-2 but Cooper re-built the five run lead in the fifth inning courtesy of a 2-run home run. With the score now 8-2 heading into the sixth inning Brampton managed to put up another two runs ad then added one more in the seventh closing out the scoring in this one. Red Sox rookie hurler Damian Clarke threw 5 2/3 innings on the hill to earn the win. He gave up four unearned runs on three hits while walking four and striking out two. Chris Cloes threw the last 1 1/3 innings allowing an earned run on three hits to collect the save. Brampton veteran lefty Mike Burke went the distance for the Royals getting tagged with the loss. Cooper led the Milton offense with two hits, including the home run, and three RBI. Kevin Greer also collected two hits and three RBI as well. Yannick Rickli led the five hit attack for Brampton with two hits and two RBI. 

JAW Bats Player of the Week _ SS Jamie Smith of the Mississauga Southwest Twins.
Smith played in one game during this week helping the Twins to a 2-0 record defeating the Niagara Metros 12-8 and then Milton Red Sox 11-1. For his week, he was 3-for-5 (.600) witha single, a double, and a home run. He scored two runs while collecting six RBI.

Smith is now hitting .406 (28-for-69) for his season with six doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He has scored 26 runs and has also collected 27 RBI thus far.

Hononable Mention
Daniel Murphy (Etobicoke Rangers)
2 Games, .571 Avg., 7 AB, 4 Hits, 3 Singles, 1 Home Run, 2 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 Stolen Bases

John Amendola (Erindale Cardinals)
1 Game, .600 Avg, 5 AB, 3 Hits, 2 Singles, 1 Double, 4 RBI, 1 Run

Barraza Gloves Pitcher of the Week _ RHP Jordan Petruska of the Mississauga Southwest Twins.
Petruska had one appearance this week on the road as he helped lead the Twins to an 11-1 win in Milton. In this game, he threw six innings allowing no runs on just two hits. He walked no one while striking out five in collecting the win.

Petruska now sits at 6-1 on the season sporting a 1.59 ERA. In 45 1/3 innings he has allowed 14 runs (8 earned) on 34 hits. He has walked 10 batters while striking out 34. 

Hononable Mention
Ian Zettle (Milton Red Sox)
1 Game, 1 Win, 0 Losses, 7 Innings, 7 Hits, 4 Runs, 1 Earned Run, 1.29 ERA, 1 Walk, 3 Ks

John DeWolfe (Erindale Cardinals)
1 Game, 0 Win, 0 Losses, 6 Innings, 12 Hits, 10 Runs, 5 Earned Run, 7.50 ERA, 0 Walks, 5 Ks

Linescores
Monday, July 18th
Oakville Park R   H   E
Erindale Cardinals    15    13    4
Oakville A’s    12    15    2
Winning Pitcher – Dan Estey. Losing Pitcher – Curtis Braun
HR – Jay Woodford (Erindale)

Tuesday
Clarkson Park R   H   E
Niagara Metros    8    10    5
Mississauga SW Twins    12    10    5
Winning Pitcher – Adam Banski. Losing Pitcher – Lukas Burch
HR – Jamie Smith (Mississauga SW)

Wednesday
Nelson Park R   H   E
Brampton Royals    14    0    0
Burlington Brants    4    0    0
Winning Pitcher – Joe Ferreira. Losing Pitcher – Franco Pace

Milton Sports Complex R   H   E
Mississauga SW Twins    11    12    0
Milton Red Sox    1    5    0
Winning Pitcher – Jordan Petruska. Losing Pitcher – Justin Volpato
HR – John Broll (Mississauga SW)

Thursday
Connorvale Park R   H   E
Brampton Royals    3    7    2
Etobicoke Rangers    8    11    3
Winning Pitcher – Tyler Whealy. Losing Pitcher – RJ Page
HR – Daniel Murphy (Etobicoke)

Friday
Connorvale Park (10 Inn) R   H   E
Burlington Brants    7    11    4
Etobicoke Rangers    8    16    3
Winning Pitcher – Adam McBride

Saturday
Milton Sports Complex R   H   E
Brampton Royals    4    7    1
Milton Red Sox    7    9    2
Winning Pitcher – Ian Zettle. Losing Pitcher – Ryan Thompson

Milton Sports Complex R   H   E
Brampton Royals    5    5    1
Milton Red Sox    8    8    3
Winning Pitcher – Damian Clarke. Losing Pitcher – Mike Burke
Save – Chris Cloes
HR – Kevin Cooper (Milton)