North Dufferin Baseball League - EST. 1930

Baysox lead 3-1 in championship series

Greg Slater of the Owen Sound Baysox is safe at first base before the throw to Riley Davies of the Ivy Rangers during Game 4 of the North Dufferin Baseball League championship on Sept. 15, 2024. (David Anderson photo)

September 16, 2024

The Owen Sound Baysox are one win away from clinching the Strother Cup in the North Dufferin Baseball League after winning two games over the weekend.

Both championship games ended with a 4-3 score as the Baysox swept the weekend contests against their rival Ivy Rangers and now lead the best of seven series, 3-1.

Game 3 on Saturday evening in Owen Sound remained scoreless until the fifth inning when the Baysox scored two runs. They added two more in the sixth frame.

Ivy managed a single run in their half of the sixth and plated two more runs in the seventh putting pressure on the Baysox defence up to the last out.

Ivy's Ryan Barr hit a double, Brett Scott hit two singles and Josh Wilkins, Charlie Jeans, and Parker Walker had singles for the losing side.

Owen Sound's Kirk Gibson hit a double and single, Ryan McNeil hit a double and Paul Van Cedar and Wayland Wilson hit singles.

Matt Barr started on the hill for the Rangers, striking out five batters in just two innings, allowing one hit, walking one and hitting one batter.

Due to injury, he was pulled and replaced with Wes Kobelka who pitched three innings, giving up two runs on two hits, walking two and fanning two.

Jarrett Vanderpost pitched one inning allowing two runs on two hits and striking out one.

Nate Kramer went the distance for Owen Sound, allowing three runs on six hits, walking three, hitting two and striking out eight in his seven innings of work.

The teams met for Game 4, also in Owen Sound on Sunday afternoon.

Owen Sound plated an early run in the first inning. The Rangers responded and scored two runs off a Ryan Barr homer in the top of the second to take the lead.

In the third frame, the Baysox scored two runs, the first crossing the plate when Wilson stole home on an attempted suicide squeeze play. He reached the plate after the ball hit off the catcher.

The Rangers tied the game in the fifth but it was short lived as the Baysox scored the winning run when Bryan Post crossed the plate in their half of the inning.

Owen Sound had three doubles in the game from Robert Doyle, Wilson and Post. Kevin Zettler hit two singles and Greg Slater chipped in with a single.

Ryan Barr led the way for the Rangers with his homer and a double while teammates Wilkins, Jeans, Scott and Riley Davies hit singles.

Trevor Smith was given the nod on the mound, pitching 4 2/3 innings for the Baysox. He allowed three runs on five hits, walking one, and striking out four.

Doyle was brought in for relief in the fifth frame and pitched the remainder of the game giving up no runs, one hit, three walks, hitting one batter, and striking out three.

Jamie Gillespie pitched six innings for the Rangers, allowing four runs on six hits, walking three and striking out eight.

The Baysox look to Game 5 in Ivy on Saturday at 2 p.m. to win their first Strother Cup title. An Ivy win sets up Game 6 on Sunday, also in Ivy at 2 p.m.

Finals even after two games

Charlie Jeans of the Ivy Rangers makes a diving catch in left field during Game 2 of the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series between the Rangers and Owen Sound Baysox on Sept. 8, 2024. (David Anderson photo)

September 10, 2024

The Owen Sound Baysox and Ivy Rangers are tied after the first weekend of play in the championship series of the North Dufferin Baseball League.

The two teams met for Game 1 Saturday evening with Owen Sound winning 5-4. The Ivy Rangers won Game 2 with a 3-0 score Sunday afternoon.

The first game was played on a cold night under the lights in Owen Sound with both teams plating a run in the first inning. The game remained tied until the fifth frame when the Rangers scored two runs.

Going into the sixth inning Owen Sound was able to score four runs of their own to take the lead and while Ivy was able to muster one run in the top of the seventh to bring the game within one, they fell short, leaving the bases loaded.

Josh Wilkins, Kirby Smith, Brett Scott, Noah Sauder, Parker Walker, and Jamie Gillespie had singles for the Rangers.

The Baysox were limited to four hits with Paul Van Cedar hitting two singles along with singles from Robert Doyle and Kevin Zettler.

Matt Barr toed the rubber for the Rangers, pitching 5 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs on three hits, walked eight batters while striking out six.

Wes Kobelka came in for relief and finished the game giving up one run on one hit, walking one and hitting one batter.

Nate Kramer pitched all seven innings for the Baysox. He gave up four runs on six hits, walking four, hitting three, and striking out eight batters.

Game 2 was a day-time affair at the Ivy park with the Rangers taking an early 2-0 lead after the first inning and a 3-0 lead after the third frame. Ivy kept Owen Sound off the board, and good pitching and defensive plays limited chances on both sides.

Owen Sound was restricted to only two hits in the match-up, both from Greg Slater.

Ivy marshalled seven hits in the game led by Jake Banner who hit two doubles. He was joined by teammates, Wilkins, Smith, Walker, Scott and Riley Davies who each had a hit.

Zettler pitched for the Baysox and over his six innings of work gave up three runs on seven hits, walking one and hitting one batter. He struck out three Rangers.

An effective Gillespie was on the mound for Ivy, giving up two hits, walking one, hitting one and fanning four in his seven innings of work.

Games 3 and 4 are in Owen Sound next weekend with Saturday's contest starting at 8 p.m. and Sunday's at 2 p.m.