COBA's best Clarke, Kupchak, Niagara
Niagara Metros LHP Dave Davidson was impressive on as he struck out the side in preserving a 3-1 Niagara win over Erindale.
By Dan Estey
Canadian Baseball Network
Last week the Niagara Metros had a solid week collecting two victories to run their season record to 6-4 at the end of May.
On Tuesday, the Metros hit the road to travel to Clarkson Park to take on the Mississauga Southwest Twins. Rookie hurler Dylan Perego drew the start in this game against against Tomas Rincon of the Twins. The Mississauga offense got rolling early as they put up four runs in the second inning on three Twins hits and a couple of Niagara fielding errors. Niagara started to chip away at the lead scoring two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game at 4-4 and chase Rincon from the game. In the seventh inning, the Metros blew the game wide open against Mississauga reliver Adam Basnki as they put up seven runs in that frame highlighted by a tape measure solo shot by 1B Ryan Laird. Ryan Bench and Brandon Beattie held the Twins bats at bay the rest of the way leading to an 11-4 victory. Bench (1-0) picked up the win in relief while Banski (0-1) took the loss.
On Thursday, the Metros were at the friendly confines of George Taylor Field in St. Catharines as the Erindale Cardinals provided the opposition on this night. Geoff Strong drew the starting assingment for Niagara and was countered by Brendan Fox of the Cardinals. The Metros defense got rolling early in this one as they used three doubles and two stolen bases to build a 2-0 lead. Niagara added another run in the bottom of the second inning as OF Ricky Ferri cashed in on a fly ball to centre. After that, the pitching and defense took center stage for both teams. Strong went three innings for Niagara and was relieved by Justin Ayles. Ayles threw two innings of shut out ball and was relieved by Dan Proctor in the sixth inning. Proctor was touched up in the eighth inning for a run courtesy of a run scoring single by Erindale 3B Pip Murray-Smith. Erindale was poised to tack on another run on a errant throw by Laird but Taylor Anderson made a great diving grab to keep the ball on the infield. Former big leagueer Dave Davidson came in to strikeout the side the in ninth to collect the save and preserve a 3-1 Metros victory. Ayles (1-2) picked up the win while Fox (1-1) took the loss.
Player of the Week - Alex Kupchak of the Oakville A’s.
Kupchak, and the A’s, only had one game this week but he made the most of it putting up a monster game. For his week, he was 3-for-4 (.750) with a double and two home runs including a game winning shot in the bottom of the 8th inning 8th. He drove in 4 RBI while scoring a pair of runs.
Kupchak is now hitting .370 (10 for 27) for his season with a six singles, a double, a triple and the two big flies. He also has scored six runs and collected seven RBIs.
Hononable Mention
Alex Martinez (Milton Red Sox)
3 Games, .467 Avg, 15 AB, 7 Hits, 3 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Home Run, 5 RBI, 3 Runs
Ian Campbell (Mississauga SW Twins)
2 Games, .571 Avg, 7 AB, 4 Hits, 1 Double, 1 Triple, 1 Run, 6 RBI
Pitcher of the Week - Damian Clarke, Milton Red Sox.
Clarke only had one appearance this week making a start against the Burlington Brants this past Wednesday at Nelson Park. In this game, he went 7 innings allowing no runs while scattering just 2 hits. He walked 2 batters and struck out 5 in collecting his first career COBA Major League victory.
Clarke, who has had a good start to his senior career, is now 1-0 on the season with a 0.00 ERA. In his 10 innings of work, he has allowed only 4 hits while collecting 4 strikeouts and 6 walks. Congratulations to Damian Clarke; the Week 5 COBA Major League Pitcher of the Week.
Hononable Mention
Adam McBride (Etobicoke Rangers)
1 Game, 1 Win, 0 Losses, 6 Innings, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned Run, 1.50 ERA, 0 Walks, 6 Ks
Jordan Petruska (Mississauga SW Twins)
1 Game, 1 Win, 0 Losses, 6 Innings, 8 Hits, 5 Runs, 5 Earned Runs, 7.50 ERA, 2 Walks, 3 Ks
Week 5 Linescores
Monday, May 30th
Erindale Cardinal Field R H E
Etobicoke Rangers 9 14 2
Erindale Cardinals 7 12 2
Winning Pitcher – Andrew Perryman, Losing Pitcher – Adam Forsey
Save – Kyle Breitner
HR – Kyle Bowers (Etobicoke)
Oakville Park R H E
Milton Red Sox 5 11 1
Oakville A’s 7 11 6
Winning Pitcher – Marc Walton. Losing Pitcher – Chris Cloes
HR – Alex Kupchak (2), Pat Griffin (Oakville)
Tuesday
Clarkson Park R H E
Niagara Metros 11 19 2
Mississauga SW Twins 4 6 2
Winning Pitcher – Ryan Bench. Losing Pitcher – Adam Banski
HR – Ryan Laird (Niagara)
Wednesday
Nelson Park R H E
Milton Red Sox 7 8 0
Burlington Brants 1 4 0
Winning Pitcher – Damian Clarke. Losing Pitcher – Trevor Woodjetts
HR – Alex Martinez (Milton)
Thursday
Dave Dash Memorial Field 10 Inn R H E
Milton Red Sox 6 9 0
Brampton Royals 7 11 0
Winning Pitcher – Riley Pollard. Losing Pitcher – Liam Tennant
HR – Ryan Thompson (Brampton)
George Taylor Field R H E
Erindale Cardinals 1 6 2
Niagara Metros 3 6 1
Winning Pitcher – Justin Ayles. Losing Pitcher – Brendan Fox
Save – Dave Davidson
Friday
Connorvale Park – 8 Inn R H E
Brampton Royals 2 5 6
Etobicoke Rangers 12 16 2
Winning Pitcher – Kevin Breitner. Losing Pitcher – Mike Burke
Saturday
Connorvale Park (Gm #1) R H E
Mississauga SW Twins 10 5 3
Etobicoke Rangers 5 7 1
Winning Pitcher – Jordan Petruska. Losing Pitcher – Andrew Hyde
Connorvale Park (Gm #2) R H E
Mississauga SW Twins 1 6 2
Etobicoke Rangers 5 8 1
Winning Pitcher – Adam McBride. Losing Pitcher – Eric Ventura