Etobicoke Rangers RHP Andrew Hyde pitched five scoreless against the Brampton Royals.

May 22, 2022

Week II Recap featuring the Etobicoke Rangers

By Dan Estey

COBA Major League

The Etobicoke Rangers had a tie and a win during Week II action in the COBA Major League.

They keep their undefeated record intact, now sitting at 2-0-1 on the season, and sit atop the league standings early in the year.

The Rangers opened their week with a visit to play the Milton Red Sox at the Milton Sports Complex. Both teams were able to push a run across in the first inning to knot the game early. Etobicoke broke things open in the fourth when they pushed across three runs and added another in the fifth inning for a 5-1 lead.

It’s only fitting that the Rangers top dogs since Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) future Hall of Famer was in town with his Cincinnati Reds. Votto bought the seniors a new set of uniforms a few years back — in exchange for two or three a week helping out with the Challenger Program.

The pesky Red Sox picked away though as they plated five runs in the home half of the fifth to claim the lead 6-5. Pitchers took over at that point hurling a pair of clean innings for both teams but the Rangers managed to scratch out a run in the eighth inning to tie the game. Both teams were kept off the board in the ninth and the game ended with a 6-6 score due to the league time curfew.

Brendan Lyons drew the start for Etobicoke. He threw four innings allowing only one earned run on four hits. He walked a pair of batters and struck out three in the no decision. Steve Ryan followed him to the bump and threw three innings getting touched up for five runs (three earned) on two hits. He walked five batters and struck out three. Tyler McKillop started for the Red Sox, going four innings and allowing four runs (all earned) on three hits while walking three and striking out two Rangers batters.

At the plate, Etobicoke was led by Zero K Bats player of the week Alex Thrower who was 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and a pair of runs. Jaykob Turner was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a run and a stolen base while Brad Crone was 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Mike Asta and Michael Ferracuti each had RBIs to round out the scoring for the Rangers.

For Milton, Jason Schneider was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run and a pair of RBIs while Nick Tiensoven was also 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and a pair of RBIs.

Friday night, the Rangers returned home to Connorvale Park for their first home game in two seasons. The opponents on this evening were the Burlington Brants. After a pair of clean innings to start the game, Etobicoke opened the scoring in the home half of the third plating three. They were able to add another four runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 7-0 lead.

The teams put up donuts for the next four innings of play. The Brants finally got on the board in the top half of the ninth with a run making the final score 7-1 in favour of the Rangers.

Alex Thrower once again led the way for Etobicoke going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk and two runs. Daniel Murphy and Hunter Bisser (RBI and a double) were both 2-for-3 as well. Michael Ferracuti was 1-for-4 with an HBP, an RBI while Eric Thrower was 1-for-3 with a triple, a run and an RBI.

For Burlington, Brock Marshall was 2-for-4, Max Von Gemmingen was 1-for-4 with a double and Joel Connor was 1-for-3 with an RBI to led the way offensively.

Sam Bat Pitcher of the Week Andrew Hyde started and earned the win for the Rangers. The veteran righty had a strong game for Etobicoke as he threw a strong five innings allowing no runs on only two hits. He walked no one and struck out two in earning his first win of the season.

Ryan threw a clean inning as well and Crone followed with his first three innings of the season, allowing a run on five hits. He walked a pair of batters and struck out three in collecting the save.

Jordan Rienzo started and took the loss for Burlington allowing three runs (all earned) in three innings of work. He allowed five hits, hit one batter and struck out a pair to wrap up his stat line for this one.

The rest of the Week 2 results from the loop:

Monday, May 16th

Brampton Royals vs Erindale Cardinals - PPD (Rain)

Wednesday, May 18th

Etobicoke Rangers 6, Milton Red Sox 6

Oakville A’s vs Burligton Brants - PPD (Rain)

Friday, May 20th

Burlington Brants 1, Etobicoke Rangers 7

WP - Andrew Hyde, LP - Jordan Rienzo

SV - Brad Crone

Brampton Royals 8 vs Oakville A’s 7

WP - Steven Hough, LP - Curtis Braun

HR - Keegan Murphy (Bram); Marc Walton (Oak)