Rangers Collect Two Wins During Week Three
By Dan Estey
The Etobicoke Rangers had a busy week three during COBA Major League action as they played four game during this time span.

The Rangers started their week on Thursday as they traveled to Dave Dash Field to take on the Brampton Royals. This was a back and forth affair that saw the Etobicoke squad fall behind early 5-3. The Ranger bullpen was able to hold to the Brampton attack for a few innings while answering back with some runs of their own. Etobicoke was able to tack on some insurance runs off the Royals bullpen en route to a 10-8 road victory. 

Kevin Breitner drew the start for the Rangers. He went two innings allowing five runs (all earned) on five hits. He walked three batters while striking out three as well. Next up was rookie Adam McBride. He did a solid job throwing three innings only allowing two Brampton hits and striking out five batters. Kyle Angelow, who was the eventual winner, threw the next three innings allowing three runs (all earned) on six hits. He walked only one while striking out two Royal batters. Closer Brian Vardzel threw a clean ninth inning with a strikeout to pick up the save.

Offensively, Etobicoke was led by veteran two bagger Mark Capone who was 3-for-6 in the game with two doubles and four RBIs. 3B Ryan Panas was 1-for-5 with a three run home run in the top of the first while SS Kevin Cleland was 2-for-3 with two singles. Single hits were collected by Julian Johnson, Rob Borden (two RBIs), Jeff Altpeter, and AJ Iafrate.

The next night saw Etobiocke return to Connorvale Park to take on the Niagara Metros. With both teams at 3-1 on the young season, this was sure to be a great match-up. The game got off to a rough start for the home squad as Niagara touched up Ranger pitching for five early runs in the first two innings. Etobicoke was able to chip into that lead in the first inning putting up a pair of their own runs. Niagara remained hungry at the dish pushing across two more run over the next two innings. The ranger bullpen was able to stem the tide over the next few innings cutting the lead down to 7-4 but Niagara tacked on three more in the 9th inning for a 10-4 victory over Etobicoke.

Gary Rose started and took the loss for the Rangers on the hill. He pitched two innings allowing  five runs (three earned) on seven hits. He walked no one while striking out one batter. Cleland, fresh off of his season at the University of Buffalo, threw the next two innings allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits. He walked three Niagara batters while whiffing four others. Matthew Cambria was next up throwing three scoreless innings allowing only three metros hits. He walked one while striking out two. Jon Kielb finished up in the ninth allowing three earned runs on seven hits. 

Offensively, Capone and Daniel Murphy collected three hits a piece while Kyle Bowers (RBI), Altpeter (two RBIs), Cleland and Borden collected one hit a piece on a very quiet night at the dish for the hard hitting Etobicoke squad. 

Saturday saw the Rangers return to their home park to host the Burlington Brants for a double dip. In Game 1, the Etobicoke offence was once again stuck in neutral as they could only manage two runs off of Brants starter Cam McKnight in a 4-2 loss. 

Ranger starter Andrew Hyde deserved a better fate in taking the hard luck loss in this one. He threw 4 2/3 innings allowing three runs (all earned) on five Brants hits. He walked three batters while striking out two. Andrew Perryman relieved Hyde from there throwing the last 2 1/3 innings allowing a single earned run on one hit. He also walked two and struck out one in his stint on the mound. At the plate, Murphy was the only batter with more than one hit going 3 for 4 with three single and a run scored. The RBIs were collected by Cleland and Julian Johnson.

Game 2 was a completely different story as the Rangers sent ace Kyle Breitner to the hill and he delivered a gem culminating in a 6-0 victory for the home team. Breitner was masterful on the mound as he threw five scoreless innings allowing only three Burlington singles along the way. He walked no one while striking out four batters. Vardzel closed up shop throwing the last two innings preserving the shutout. He gave up two hits while walking none and striking out one. Iafrate led the way at the plate with two hits and a run scored. Five other Ranger batters had one hit each including Stuart Fraser (2B), Capone, Panas, Altpeter and Murphy. 

Panas, Altpeter, and Bowers collected the RBIs for Etobicoke now sits at 4-3 on the season. 

With his dominant outing, Breitner was named the COBA Major League pitcher of the week while Capone was given Honorable Mention for his week at the dish.  

Linescores
Monday, May 18th
At Erindale Cardinal Field    Runs    Hits    Errors
Milton Red Sox (0-4)    2    7    3
Erindale Cardinals (2-2)    10    9    1
WP – Brendan Fox. LP – Matt Hill

Oakville Park    Runs    Hits    Errors
Brampton Royals (1-2)    3    11    3
Oakville A’s (2-2)    11    16    4
WP – Gord Robertson. LP – Joe Ferreira
HR – Oakville: Julian Richards (2), Alex Kupchak

Tuesday
Clarkson Park    Runs    Hits    Errors
Erindale Cardinals (2-3)    6    5    1
Mississauga SW Twins (4-0)    10    12    1
WP – Jordan Petruska. LP – Dan Estey
HR – Erindale: John DeWolfe, Chris Novia; Mississauga: Ed Largy

Wednesday
Nelson Park    Runs    Hits    Errors
Brampton Royals (1-2-1)    12    16    3
Burlington Brants (1-1-1)    12    11    2

Thursday
George Taylor Field    Runs    Hits    Errors
Milton Red Sox (0-5)    3    3    2
Niagara Metros (3-1)    9    13    2
WP – Brendan Ellingham. LP – Ian Zettle

Dave Dash Park    Runs    Hits    Errors
Etobicoke Rangers (3-1)    10    10    0
Brampton Royals (1-3-1)    8    13    1
WP – Kyle Angelow. LP – RJ Page. Save – Bryan Vardzel
HR – Etobicoke: Ryan Panas; Brampton: Joe Ferreira

Friday
Connorvale Park    Runs    Hits    Errors
Niagara Metros (4-1)    10    18    0
Etobicoke Rangers (3-2)    4    10    2
WP – Justin Ayles. LP – Gary Rose

Saturday
Connorvale Park Runs    Hits    Errors
Burlington Brants (2-1-1)    4    6    1
Etobicoke Rangers (3-3)    2    9    4
WP – Cam McKnight. LP – Andrew Hyde

Milton Sports Complex 
Mississauga SW Twins at Milton Red Sox -- PPD.

Connorvale Park     Runs    Hits    Errors
Burlington Brants (2-2-1)    0    5    0
Etobicoke Rangers (4-3)    6    7    0
WP – Kyle Breitner. LP – Ryan Colling.