COBA Week III: Braun, Erindale, Sogan

Chris Novia (Mississauga, Ont.) goes deep for the Erindale Cardinals. 

Cardinals Rattle Off a Pair of Wins to Remain Undefeated
 
By Dan Estey

Canadian Baseball Network

After winning their only game in Week 2, the Erindale Cardinals continued their winning ways last weekend rattling off a pair of wins to push their overall record to 3-0 on the young season. 
 
On Monday, the Cardinals opened up their week at Greg Cranker Field with a date against the Burlington Brants. The Brants struck early in this one putting single runs in the first and second innings to take a quick 2-0 lead. That lead, however, was short lived as the Erindale bats exploded for seven runs in the second inning to take a 7-2 lead. Burlington answered back with two more in the top of the third inning to cut the lead to 7-4 but the Cards added two in the third and another in the fourth inning to stretch their lead to 10-4. The resilient Brants kept chipping away adding two runs in the seventh inning to trim the lead to 10-6 but as they did all game Erindale answered back with three runs in the bottom half to take a 13-6 lead. Burlington managed to add three more runs in the top half of the eighth inning but that is as close as they would get as Erindale won this one 13-9. 
 
The Cardinals were led at the plate by Pip Murray-Smith would had a 4-for-6 night with a double and two runs scored. Jay Woodford was 2-for-5 with a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored while Chris Novia was 2-for-3 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored as well. Greg Dodwell, John DeWolfe and Aaron Plamer all collected two RBIs as well with Steve “Bully” Gallant collecting an RBI on a scoring fly ball. On the mound, Dan Nauth (1-0) drew the starting assignment throwing five innings allowing four runs -- three earned -- on five hits in collecting the win. He had four strikeouts while not issuing a walk in the game. Mark Taplin threw 1 1/3 innings allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits while Adam Forsey threw 1 2/3 innings allowing three runs -- two earned -- on three hits. Andrew Mullin threw a clean ninth inning allowing only a hit and recording a strikeout. 
 
On Tuesday, Erindale made the short trek down Winston Chruchill Blvd. to Clarkson Park to take on divisional rivals the Mississauga SW Twins. This was a very tight game as there was no scoring until the top of the fifth inning when the Cardinals were able to strike for four runs and take a 4-0 lead. The Twins chipped away though adding a single run in the home half of the sixth inning and then three more runs in the home half of the eighth inning to tie the game 4-4 and send it off to extra innings. With both team having chances to cross the plate in extras, it was Erindale who was able to push across a run on a passed ball in the top of the 11th inning to squeak out a 5-4 win over Mississauga. 
 
At the plate, Erindale was led by newcomer Kevin Alp who had a 2-for-4 night with a double and also scored the game winning run. Palmer, DeWolfe, Woodford, and John Amendola all collected hits while Amendola, Woodford, DeWolfe, and Dodwell all collected RBIs. On the mound, Dan Estey drew the starting role for Erindale. He wound up going five innings allowing no runs and holding the Twins bats to only five hits. He recorded two walks while striking out one Mississauga batter in collecting a no decision. Brendan Fox followed Estey and threw three innings allowing all four Twins runs on four hits. He walked two batter while striking out three. Andrew Mullin (1-0) eventually picked up the win throwing two shutout innings of relief allowing only one hit while striking out four batters. Forsey threw a clean 11th inning to pick up the victory.

COBA Major D-Ville Bats Player of the Week -- P-OF Tim Sogan of the Burlington Brants.
Sogan played in two games during this period of games helping lead the Brants to a split this week. The Brants dropped their opening game on the week 13-9 at Erindale on Monday before bouncing back for an 8-4 win at home against the Etobicoke Rangers. For his week, he was 6-for-10 (.600) with three singles, two doubles, and a home run. He scored four runs while collecting five RBIs and a stolen base.

Hononable Mention
Jerome Smith (Mississauga SW Twins)
2 Game, .500 Avg., 10 AB, 5 Hits, 3 Singles, 2 Home Runs, 3 RBI, 3 Runs, 4 BB

Jordan Grant (Niagara Metros)
2 Games, .444 Avg, 9 AB, 4 Hits, 3 Singles, 1 Home Run, 6 RBI, 2 Runs, 1BB

COBA Major Lazer Pro Pitcher of the Week _ RHP Curtis Braun of the Oakville A’s.
Braun had one appearance this week leading the A’s to a 7-2 victory over the Brampton Royals. In this game, he tossed a 9-inning complete game allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked two while striking out eight Royals batters in collecting Oakville’s first win of the season.

Hononable Mention
Andrew Mullin (Erindale Cardinals)
1 Game, 1 Win, 0 Losses, 3 Innings, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned Runs, 0.00 ERA, 2 BBs, 5 Ks

Cam Ryerson (Burlington Brants)
1 Game, 0 Win, 0 Losses, 4 Innings, 3 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned Runs, 0.00 ERA, 0 BBs, 3 Ks

Linescores
Monday, May 15th
Erindale Cardinal Field Runs Hits Errors
Burlington Brants 9 11 5
Erindale Cardinals 13 14 7
Winning Pitcher – Dan Nauth, Losing Pitcher – Brandon Habibi
HR – Jay Woodford, Chris Novia (Erin.)

Tuesday
larkson Park – (11 Inn) Runs Hits Errors
Erindale Cardinals 5 6 1
Mississauga SW Twins 4 9 1
Winning Pitcher – Andrew Mullin, Losing Pitcher – Tomas Rincon
Save – Adam Forsey
HR – John Broll, Mike Cardinale, Jerome Smith (Miss SW)

Wednesday
Milton Sports Complex – (8 Inn) Runs Hits Errors
Brampton Royals 11 13 3
Milton Red Sox 1 9 4
Winning Pitcher – Joe Ferreira, Losing Pitcher – Jason Schneider

Nelson Park Runs Hits Errors
Etobicoke Rangers 4 9 1
Burlington Brants 8 11 2
Winning Pitcher – Andrew Pierce, Losing Pitcher – Tyler Whealy
HR – Tim Sogan, Corrie Morrison, Luke Posivad (Burl.)

Thursday
Dave Dash Memorial Field Runs Hits Errors
Oakville A’s 6 11 0
Brampton Royals 2 7 1
Winning Pitcher – Curtis Braun, Losing Pitcher – Cory Hayden
HR – Vic Speciale (Bram)

George Taylor Field Runs Hits Errors
Mississauga SW Twins 6 7 3
Niagara Metros 11 11 0
Winning Pitcher – Nick Subramaniam, Losing Pitcher – Tomas Rincon
HR – Jerome Smith (Miss SW); Jordan Grant, Ryan Laird (Niag)

Friday
Connorvale Park – (8 Inn) Runs Hits Errors
Niagara Metros 6 13 4
Etobicoke Rangers 16 14 0
Winning Pitcher – Adam McBride, Losing Pitcher – Geoff Strong.