COBA Major Week XIII Recap

By Dan Estey

The Niagara Metros had a solid week last week as they went 2 – 1 in league play to garner Team of the Week honours for Week XIII of the COBA Major League season.

Niagara got their week started off on the road as they traveled to Mississauga for a game with the Erindale Cardinals. Niagara got on the board first in this one as they plated a run in the first, however, Erindale answered back with three in the bottom half for a 3-1 lead. Niagara chipped into that lead with another run in the 3rd inning, but again Erindale answer back with three runs and a 6-2 lead after three innings.

The Metros kept at it as they scored single runs in the fourth and sixth and then added four more runs in the seventh to take an 8-6 lead. The teams traded runs in the bottom half and the top of the eighth but the Cardinals added three runs in the bottom of the eighth. The Cards pitching made that lead stand up as the Metros dropped this one by a score of 10-9.

Dave Davidson led the way at the dish for Niagara going 2-for-3 with a double, a pair of walks, a run and two RBIs. Ethan Pasco was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and a stolen base while Chris Anderi was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs. Nathan Laird was 1-for-3 with his first COBA Major home run, a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs while Matt Casburn (2B) and Brandon Underhill (R, RBI) each had a hit.

Liam Jacques drew the starting assignment for the Metros and went six innings allowing six runs, all earned, while scattering 10 hits. He walked five batters while striking out two. Dylan Perego relieved him and took the loss throwing two innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He fanned three.

Niagara was back at it on Thursday at home as the Milton Red Sox providing the opposition at George Taylor Field. The Metros opened the scoring in this one as they grabbed a pair of runs and a 2-0 lead after two innings. The teams then traded single runs in the third and a pair of runs in the fourth for a 5-3 Niagara lead after four innings.

Milton got another run back in the fifth inning but the Metros put up four runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth to take an 11-4 lead. Milton would manage one more run, but Niagara would take this contest by a final score of 11-5.

Jono Marcheterre led the 14-hit Metros attack going 3-for-3 with a walk, a pair of runs and three RBIs. Fellow vet Jonathan Paul was 3-for-4 with a run and three RBIs while Davidson was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Laird was 3-for-5 with two runs and a stolen base while Pasco was 1-for-5 with a double, a run, a pair of RBIs and a stolen base. Matt Bagnulo had a two-run double in a pinch-hit appearance.

Jacob Renpenning got the start on the hill for Niagara and went 4 2/3 innings allowing four runs on one hit. He walked nine batters while striking out four. Nick Submaraniam collecting the win in relief as he went 1 1/3 innings in his first outing this season. He allowed no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out three. Justin Ayles closed out the last three innings allowing an unearned run on two hits and struck out four to collect the save.

In their finale on the week, Niagara hit the road again this time for a trip to Connorvale Park and a clash with the league leading Etobicoke Rangers. The Rangers would strike first in this one with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Niagara, however, would plate single runs in the second and third to tie the game.

The Metros would break in open in the fourth though as they struck for a six-run inning and an 8-2 lead. The pesky Rangers wouldn’t go quietly though as they scored a single run in the sixth and four more in the seventh to cut the lead to 8-7. Niagara would take on some insurance in the ninth as they plated three runs and hung on for an 11-7 victory.

Paul had another huge game going 4-for-5 with a walk, two runs and a pair of RBIs. Laird continued his hot week going 3-for-6 with a double, a pair of runs and two stolen bases. Marcheterre was 2-for-6 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base while Ricky Ferri made his first appearance of the year going 2-for-5 with a double and a run.

Brandon Underhill started this game for the Metros and collected the win going 6 2/3 innings allowing seven runs (one earned) while scattering 14 Rangers hits. He walked three batters while striking out two. Andrew Cartaginese finished up with 2 1/3 innings allowing no runs on three hits. He walked one batter while striking out three.

The rest of the Week XIII results from the COBA Major League:

Monday, July 22nd

Etobicoke Rangers vs Erindale Cardinals - PPD (Rain)

Tuesday

Mississauga SW Twins 12, Oakville A’s 2

WP–David Sigmund; LP–Jordan Inkol

HR–John Broll (Miss SW)

Erindale Cardinals 10. Niagara Metros 9

WP-Evan Harrison; LP–Dylan Perego

HR–Nathan Laird (Niag.); Jay Woodford (Erin.)

Wednesday

Burlington Brants 6, Erindale Cardinals 2

WP–Cam Ryerson; LP–Dan Nauth

Etobicoke Rangers 9, Milton Red Sox 8

WP–Adam McBride; LP–Justin Newbold

HR–Jason Schneider (Milt.)

Thursday

Niagara Metros–11. Milton Red Sox–5

WP–Nick Submaraniam; SV–Justin Ayles; LP–Ian Zettle

Oakville A’s 12, Burlington Brants 2

WP–Curtis Braun; LP–Evan Krychowski

HR – Dan Beaver, Blake Donaldson (Oak.)

Brampton Royals 13, Mississauga SW Twins 3

WP – Brad McLaughlin; LP – Stephen Nahrabeki

HR – Jaykob Turner (Miss SW)

Friday

Niagara Metros 11, Etobicoke Rangers 7

WP–Brandon Underhill; LP–Andrew Hyde

Oakville A’s 10, Brampton Royals 9

WP–Alex Fulton; LP–Yannick Rickli

Saturday

Burlington Brants – 12, Milton Red Sox – 1

WP–Mike Westlake; LP–Jason Schneider