COBA Week XIV: Niagara Metros, Strong, Woodford

Geoff Strong pitched a complete-game win over the Brampton Royals allowing two runs -- one earned -- on three hits as he walked one while striking out five in collecting the win.

By Dan Estey
Canadian Baseball Network
The Niagara Metros, fresh off an impressive run at the senior eliminations in Windsor, had a solid week in COBA Major action winning two of three games they played. 

The Metros hosted the Burlington Brants at George Taylor Field and were able to come away with a 14-4 win over the Brants on Thursday. It was Burlington who got off to a quick start in this one off of Metros hurler Brandon Beattie scoring one in the first and three in the second for a quick 4-0 lead. The Metros erased that lead in the bottom of the third scoring four runs of their own. Niagara put things out of reach in the fourth scoring 10 runs for a commanding 14-4 lead. Beattie picked up the win on the hill throwing five innings and allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits. He walked three Brants batters while striking out two. Ryan Laird led Niagara at the plate going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBI. Chris Anderi, Jono Marcheterre and Will Nitransky all collected three hits and two RBI for the Metros as well. 

Niagara made the haul to Dave Dash Memorial Field for a double header against the Brampton Royals on Saturday. In Game 1, the Metros got off to a quick start against Royals hurler Joe Ferreira scoring single runs in the first and third. Brampton answered back in the bottom of the third scoring two runs to tie the game up. Niagara added another run in the top of the fourth and then COBA Major Pitcher of the Week Geoff Strong settled in from there shutting down the Brampton bats the rest of the way in leading his squad to a 4-2 victory. Strong threw the complete game allowing two runs -- one earned -- on two hits. He walked one batter while collecting five strikeouts in getting the win. Dave Davidson was the offensive catalyst for Niagara going 3-for-4 with two doubles, and two RBIs. Nitransky was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. 

In Game 2, both teams found their bats in a slugfest. Brampton struck first scoring a single run in the first inning. Niagara bounced back in the third scoring three but the lead was short lived as the Royals scored three of their own that inning to take a 4-3 lead. Brampton put up another three in the fourth for a 7-3 lead and looked to be in control but the resilient Metros scored five in the sixth inning to take an 8-7 lead. Again, the lead was short lived with Brampton scoring one in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game and force extras. In the eighth, Niagara pushed one across to take a 9-8 lead. The Royals, as they did all game, answered back in the home half scoring a run and then winning the game on a walk off single with a final score of 10-9. Justin Ayles, who takes the loss, went the distance for Niagara allowed 10 runs -- five earned -- on nine hits. He walked five Brampton batters while striking out eight. Davidson had another strong game going 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. Laird, Strong, Nitransky, Marcheterre, and Tyler Wood all had two hits for Niagara with Strong, Marcheterre and Nitransky collecting An RBI each.

JAW Bats Player of the Week _ OF Jay Woodford of the Erindale Cardinals.
Woodford played in two games during this week helping lead the Cardinals to a doubleheader sweep of the Milton Red Sox winning 8-5 and 7-3 in Milton. For his week, he was 5-for-7 (.714) with a single, three doubles, and a home run. He also had a sac fly while scoring four runs, collecting four RBI and adding a stolen base.

Woodford is now hitting .331 (42-for-127) for his season with 11 doubles, a triple, and nine home runs. He has scored 38 runs and has also collected 37 RBI thus far.

Hononable Mention
Mike Asta (Etobicoke Rangers)
2 Games, .500 Avg., 8 AB, 4 Hits, 3 Singles, 1 Home Run, 6 RBIs, 4 Runs

Wil Nitransky (Niagara Metros)
3 Games, .636 Avg, 11 AB, 7 Hits, 7 Singles, 4 RBIs, 4 Runs, 5 Stolen Bases

Barraza Gloves Pitcher of the Week _ RHP Geoff Strong of the Niagara Metros.
Strong had one appearance this week on the road helping lead the Metros to a 4-2 victory over the Brampton Royals. In this game, he threw a complete game (7 innings) allowing two runs (one earned) on just three hits. He walked one while striking out five in collecting the win.

Strong now sits at 4-2 on the season sporting a 2.85 ERA. In 53 2/3 innings, he has allowed 19 runs (17 earned) on 42 hits. He has walked 20 batters while striking out 49. Congratulations to Geoff Strong; the Week 14 COBA Major League Pitcher of the Week.

Hononable Mention
James Byrnes (Mississauga SW Twins)
1 Game, 0 Win, 0 Losses, 5 Innings, 5 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned Runs, 0.00 ERA, 1 Walk, 3 Ks

Kyle Breitner (Etobicoke Rangers)
1 Game, 1 Win, 0 Losses, 3 Innings, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned Runs, 0.00 ERA, 0 Walks, 4 Ks

Linescores
Wednesday, August 3rd
Nelson Park   R   H   E
Mississauga SW Twins    11    15    8
Burlington Brants    15    18    3
Winning Pitcher – Franco Pace. Losing Pitcher – Jerome Smith
HR – Michael Cardinale (Mississauga SW); Luke Posivad (Burlington)

Thursday
Dave Dash Memorial Field R   H   E
Etobicoke Rangers    16    19    1
Brampton Royals    6    8    1
Winning Pitcher – Andrew Perryman. Losing Pitcher – Zach Sloan
HR – Mike Asta (Etobicoke)

George Taylor Field R   H   E
Burlington Brants    4    0    0
Niagara Metros    14    0    0
Winning Pitcher – Brandon Beattie. Losing Pitcher – Ryan Colling

Friday
Connorvale Park R   H   E
Milton Red Sox    3    7    4
Etobicoke Rangers    15    17    1
Winning Pitcher – Kyle Breitner. Losing Pitcher – Liam Tennant

Saturday
Dave Dash Memorial Field R   H   E
Niagara Metros    4    7    0
Brampton Royals    2    3    3
Winning Pitcher – Geoff Strong. Losing Pitcher – Joe Ferreira

Milton Sports Complex    R   H   E
Erindale Cardinals    8    9    3
Milton Red Sox    5    8    3
Winning Pitcher – Dan Estey, Losing Pitcher – Ian Zettle
HR – Jay Woodford (Erindale)

Dave Dash Memorial Field R   H   E
Niagara Metros    9    11    5
Brampton Royals    10    9    2
Winning Pitcher – RJ Page. Losing Pitcher – Justin Ayles

Milton Sports Complex R   H   E
Erindale Cardinals    7    10    0
Milton Red Sox    3    7    2
Winning Pitcher – Andrew Mullin. Losing Pitcher – Chris Cloes