Etobicoke takes COBA title by beating Milton Red Sox
For the first time since 2018, the Etobicoke Rangers captured the COBA Major championship at Greg Cranker Field.
August 22, 2022
Etobicoke Rangers Capture 2022 COBA Major League Playoff Title
By Dan Estey
COBA Major
The Etobicoke Rangers ran the table as they captured the 2022 COBA Major League playoff title at Greg Cranker Field at the 9th Line Sports Complex in Mississauga.
The Rangers went a perfect 4-0 as they won the title for the first time since 2018.
The Rangers started off with a hard fought 11-8 victory over the Oakville A’s. The Rangers were up 8-0 early in this one and had to hold off a hard pressing A’s team who fought back to tie the game 8-8 before succumbing to the Rangers in the late innings.
Steve Ryan picked up the win in relief of starter Mike Asta. Daniel Murphy led the way for Etobicoke at the plate going 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Ryan Panas was also 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored while Alex Thrower was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs an RBI and two stolen bases.
In their second round robin game, the Rangers were able to break open a tight 2-2 game with a pair of runs in the fifth inning to win over the Brampton Royals by a score of 4-2. Andrew Hyde started and got the win for Etobicoke while lefty James Graham came in to throw the last two innings for the save.
Murphy, once again, was the offensive leader for the Rangers going 4-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base. Kyle Bowers (RBI), Alex Thrower, Mark Capone and Dan Franceschetti each had a hit as well in the game. Panas cashed in a run with a run-scoring fly ball as well.
In the semis, the Rangers were able to easily defeat the Erindale Cardinals by a score of 11-1. Justin Tiechman went the distance for Etobicoke tossing six innings and allowing a run on five hits, while walking one and striking out six.
Michael Ferracuti led the way for the Rangers going 2-for-2 with a triple, a walk and a pair of RBIs. Dan Franceschetti and Tony Tedesco both went deep for Etobicoke as well, helping them to the mercy shortened win. Capone (two RBIs), Murphy (RBI) and Bowers had the other hits to spark the Etobicoke offence.
In the final the Rangers met up with the Milton Red Sox who had defeated the Oakville A’s in the other semi-final by a score of 4-0. This game was tight all the way through but it was Etobicoke emerging with a 6-3 victory in the end. Max Skoropadsky drew the starting assignment and threw four innings, allowing three runs. James Graham relieved him, picking up the win with three clean innings allowing only a hit and had three strikeouts giving him a win and a save for the weekend.
Offensively, the Rangers were led by a trio of veterans in Capone, Panas and Murphy. Panas was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Capone was also 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base while Murphy was also 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Michael Ferracuti, Thrower and Franceschetti had the other hits for the Rangers.
John Ferracuti and Bill “Bounce” Thompson guided the Rangers in Steve Breitner-like fashion.
Glenn Turner, Greg Cranker — the best groundskeeper north of Dundas — all of the other players and league executives helped make the playoff weekend and the 2022 season a rousing success.