Williams records first pro hit in Titans' win

Barrie Baycats alum Malik Williams (Toronto, Ont.) recorded his first professional hit for the Ottawa Titans on Wednesday. Photo: Barrie Baycats

August 10, 2022

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans (44-30) used a combined 15 strikeouts from Kaleb Schmidt, Matt Valin, Nelson Gonzalez and Kevin Escorcia to defeat the New York Boulders 3-2 on Wednesday night.

After retiring the first two he faced, Schmidt walked the following two batters as the Boulders brought up Gabriel Garcia. The Boulders second baseman lined a single to centre, scoring Austin Dennis to make it 1-0.

The early deficit did not phase the Titans, as Robby Rowland walked AJ Wright to lead off the bottom half of the first. Jackie Urbaez followed suit with a triple to the gap in right-centre, tying the game at one as Wright scored. Rodrigo Orozco cashed in a second with an RBI ground out, making it 2-1.

Taking the lead after one, Schmidt would settle in on the hill for the Titans on Wednesday, only allowing four more base runners, including two hits over his final four innings. Making his second start as a Titan, Schmidt went five innings, allowing one run, on three hits, walking two, and striking out six for the win.

After the Titans got a pair of leadoff walks in the third, Rowland locked in on the bump to retire 13 of the next 14 he faced. Tossing into the seventh, Malik Williams (Toronto, Ont.) kept the inning alive with a single, which was his first professional hit. Still in the game, Rowland surrendered a double to Wright down the left-field line to score the pinch runner Kai Moody all the way from first, making it 3-1.

Valin tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out five of the seven he faced to hold the lead. The Boulders got back within one in the eighth, with a David Vinsky solo homer off Gonzalez.

Escorcia would strike out the first two he'd face in the ninth, before allowing a two-out baserunner to reach. Facing Tucker Nathans, the southpaw capped off the ballgame with another punchout to guide the Titans to the victory.

The Titans finish their series with the Boulders on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.