Capone, Etobicoke, Kusey enjoy COBA play Week III

Former UBC Thunderbirs star Mark Capone was COBA Player of the Week hitting .556 (5-for-9) for the Etobicoke Rangers.  

Rangers Coast Through Week 3 in COBA Major Action
By Dan Estey
Canadian Baseball Network
The Etobicoke Rangers are looking like they are going to be a force to be dealt with again this summer. The Rangers ran their league record to 4-1 this week with two resounding wins 14-1 over the Burlington Brants and 10-2 over the Oakville A’s.

On Wednesday, Etobicoke travelled to Nelson park to face Burlington in their first meeting of the season. The Rangers left no doubt in this one as they jumped all over Brants starter Jordan Rienzo scoring four runs in the 1st, four in the 2nd, and a single run in the 3rd inning on their way to a 14-1 mercy shortened victory. 

Etobicoke used five different pitchers in this game with rookie Max Clarke (1-0) grabbing his first ever COBA Major League victory. Another rookie, OF Michael Ferracuti led the way at the dish going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. 1B Stu Fraser was 3-for-3 with an RBI while veteran 2B Mark Capone was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and 3 runs scored.

On Friday, Etobicoke welcomed the Oakville A’s to the friendly confines of Connorvale Park for their regular home night. This game was tight for awhile as starting pitchers Adam McBride (Etobicoke) and Matt Reagan (Oakville) were cruising right along. Then in the fourth inning the wheels came off the bus for Reagan as the Rangers plated four runs all with two outs chasing him from the game. The Rangers then put up two runs in each of the fifth, seventh and eighth innings to win by a score of 10-2. Again, Etobicoke rolled out five pitchers with rookie Tyler Whealy (1-0) also picking up his first COBA Major League win. Offensively, 1B Tanner Young-Schultz was 4-for-5 scoring 3 runs while Capone was 3 for 5 with three RBIs and a stolen base. 

COBA Major Player of the Week - Mark Capone
Capone had a very strong week at the dish helping lead Etobicoke to two big wins in league play 14-1 over the Burlington Brants and 10-2 against the Oakville A’s. For his week, he was 5-for-9 (.556) with four singles, a double and also collected 3 walks. He drove in five runs while scoring four more runs and collecting a stolen base.

Capone is now hitting .300 for his season with six singles and a double. He also has a team leading seven runs and six RBI. 

Hononable Mention
Marco DiRoma (Brampton Royals)
3 Games, .636 Avg, 11 AB, 7 Hits, 4 Doubles, 4 RBI, 1 Walk, 1 Stolen Base

Jeff Jarockis (Oakville A’s)
3 Games, .417 Avg, 12 AB, 5 Hits, 1 Home Run, 3 Runs, 3 RBI, 2 Walks

COBA Major Pitcher of the Week - Brian Kusey
Kusey only had one appearance this week but made the most of it as he fired a complete gsme shutout at home against the Brampton Royals in game one of a doubleheader. In this game, he went the seven-inning distance while scattering four hits. He walked three batters and struck out six in collecting his first win of the season.

Kusey, after battling health issues last season, looks to be back in fine form as he is now 1-0 on the season with a 0.00 ERA. In his eight innings of work, he has seven strikeouts and only only walks. 

Hononable Mention
Gord Robertson (Oakville A’s)
1 Game, 1 Win, 0 Losses, 8 Innings, 6 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 Earned Runs, 2.25 ERA, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Adam McBride (Etobicoke Rangers)
1 Game, 0 Wins, 0 Losses, 3 Innings, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 0.00 ERA, 1 Walk, 4 Ks

COBA Major Week 3 Linescores
Monday, May 16th
Brampton Royals vs. Erindale Cardinals – PPD (Rain)

Oakville Park R H E
Niagara Metros 7 5 0
Oakville A’s 8 10 2
Winning Pitcher – Brad Hill. Losing Pitcher – Ryan Bench

Tuesday, May 17th
Clarkson Park R H E
Erindale Cardinals 7 15 3
Mississauga SW Twins 10 14 1
Winning Pitcher – Kyle Porter. Losing Pitcher – Mark taplin. Save – Mike Cardinale

Wednesday, May 18th
Nelson Park R H E
Etobicoke Rangers 14 13 3
Burlington Brants 1 2 1
Winning Pitcher – Max Clarke. Losing Pitcher – Jordan Rienzo

Milton Sports Complex R H E
Oakville A’s 9 15 0
Milton Red Sox 3 7 0
Winning Pitcher – Gord Robertson. Losing Pitcher – Justin Volpato. HR – Jeff Jarockis (Oakville)

Thursday, May 19th
Dave Dash Memorial Field R H E
Burlington Brants 4 6 0
Brampton Royals 8 10 4
Winning Pitcher – Joey Nonis. Losing Pitcher – Ryan Colling. Save – Joe Ferreira
HR – Vic Speciale (Brampton)

George Taylor Field R H E
Mississauga SW Twins 10 4 5
Niagara Metros 8 10 2
Winning Pitcher – Billy Hurley. Losing Pitcher – Justin Ayles
HR – Dave Davidson (Niagara)

Friday, May 20th
Connorvale Park R H E
Oakville A’s 2 5 0
Etobicoke Rangers 10 14 4
Winning Pitcher – Tyler Whealy. Losing Pitcher – Matt Reagan

Saturday, May 21st
George Taylor Field
Game 1 R H E
Brampton Royals 0 4 1
Niagara Metros 5 4 0
Winning Pitcher – Brian Kusey. Losing Pitcher – Brandon Habibi

Game 2 R H E
Brampton Royals 2 7 2
Niagara Metros 3 7 1
Winning Pitcher – Dylan Perego. Losing Pitcher – Alex Reid