COBA Major Preview – Burlington Brants

By Dan Estey

The Burlington Brants will be back in the fold in the COBA Major League in 2019. The Brants, who are led by coaches Rick Ellis and Peter Lambert, had a down year in 2018 going 11–24 – 3 overall and 9– 15–3 in league play good for third place in the Johnson Division and seventh place overall in the loop. The veteran laden club will be looking to add a few bodies and try and improve their standing heading into the 2019 season.

The Brants attended three tournaments in the 2018 season where they did not see too much success. At the Lakeside Tournament in London, they collected a tough 7-6 win over the Niagara Metros while dropping tough games against provincial powerhouses Tecumseh and Strathroy.

At the Hap Walters Tournament, they had some very competitive matchups but went winless and missed out on the playoff round.

At the Senior Elimination Tournament, the team went 0 – 2 with tough losses against Etobicoke and Kingston (Canada’s first capital) for an early exit from the tournament.

Burlington will be returning their complete roster from last season as they will look to try and have a better 2019 season. Key returnees for the Brants are headlined by 2018 COBA Major Pitcher of the Year Cam Ryerson (4-1, 57 2/3 innings, 46 hits, 24 runs, 16 earned runs, 56 strikeouts, 21 walks, 2.52 ERA) and 2018 COBA Major home run champ OF Tim Sogan (.380, 25 runs, 34 hits, 11 doubles, six home runs, 32 RBIs).

Also returning in the field are: OF Corrie Morrison (.375, 27 runs, 38 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, 19 RBIs, 11 stolen bases), P-1B Mike Grilli (.340, 13 runs, 24 hits, four doubles, a triple, two home runs, 14 RBIs), SS Darryl Pierce (.395, 23 runs, 37 hits, three doubles, 16 RBIs) and 2B Cole Lewis (.294, 17 runs, 31 hits, four doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs).

Joining Ryerson on the mound are Trevor Woodjetts (2-3, 34 1/3 innings, 45 hits, 26 runs, 23 earned runs, 24 strikeouts, nine walks, 6.26 ERA) and Jordan Rienzo (1-3, three saves, 32 innings, 39 hits, 23 runs, 20 earned runs, 29 strikeouts, 12 walks, 6.84 ERA). C/IF Brock Marshall (.235, 14 runs, 19 hits, three doubles, 12 RBIs) will return to handle the pitching staff as well as handling some utility innings in the infield.

No new names are known as this moment, but the Brants are actively assessing new talent to try and add some new bodies for this upcoming season.