New Lowell Knights coach Pete Kinghan (left) and Dale Lightheart (right) accepts the Strother Cup as the North Dufferin Baseaball League's champions from league secretary and convenor Scott Anderson during a post-game presentation on Sept. 25, 2016.
(David Anderson photo)
The New Lowell Knights claimed their second-straight championship on Sept. 25, 2016. Pictured back row, from left: coach Pete Kinghan, Sean Connor, Todd Gowan, Todd Patton, Brandon Norrie, Allan Brownridge, Jesse McIntyre. Front row, from left: Dale Lightheart, Sean Thompson, Chris Greer, Caleb Lightheart (batboy), Steve Baldry, Jake Nicholson, Trevor Martin. Missing from the photo are Kyle Ascai, Dan Holwell, Brayden Hubbert and Todd VanLieshout.
(David Anderson photo)
September 26, 2016
A 4-1 win over the Orangeville Giants have crowned the New Lowell Knights as North Dufferin Baseball League champions for a second straight year.
The champions hoisted the Strother Cup on Sunday afternoon needing all seven games in the series to bring down the Giants.
But before the Knights were able to claim the title they had to defeat Orangeville, who had the series lead, on Saturday for game six.
The Knights downed the Giants 8-2 scoring two runs early in the first inning, adding one in the second, two in the fourth and one each in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.
Orangeville was able to tie the game after the first frame with two runs of their own, but were unable to capitalize leaving eight runners stranded on base during the game.
Homeruns were the highlight of the Knights offense. Brandon Norrie homered twice including a two-run shot. Steve Baldry hit one out of the park to score two and Todd Patton connected with a pitch in the seventh to the score the final run.
Sean Thompson doubled while Allan Brownridge, Sean Connor and Patton hit singles for the Knights.
Mitchell Pike doubled while Brett Chater and Drew Huerter each singled twice for the Giants. Ian MacIver and Daryl Bond recorded singles.
Brownridge pitched seven innings for the Knights allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked two, hit two Orangeville batters and fanned six.
Nick Hodgson was on the Orangeville hill for five innings giving up six runs on seven hits, walked one, hit one batter and struck out three.
Matt Drury came in for the sixth and seventh inning allowing two runs on three hits and walked two Knights.
Sunday action for the final game was a closer affair for the first two innings. In the third inning New Lowell manufactured a run executing a suicide squeeze from Chris Greer to bring in Jake Nicholson to score the first run. Greer was able to beat the throw to first base as well.
Orangeville tied the game in the fifth inning when Bond scored on a Chater double but the Knights quickly answered in their half of the inning scoring three on two homeruns. With a runner on base Todd Gowan hit a two-run shot, with the next batter Todd Patton hitting a solo shot to make the game 4-1.
The Knights had six hits including the two homeruns, a double from Thompson and Nicholson and singles from Greer and Norrie.
The Giants were limited to four hits with Bond connecting for two singles, Chater a double and Hodgson a single.
Baldry commanded the Knights hill and pitched a complete game, allowing one run on four hits, walked two Giants and struck out three.
Chater pitched for Orangeville for five innings giving up four runs on six hits, walked two and hit three Knights while striking out two.
Hodgson pitched the sixth inning unscathed.
In a post game presentation New Lowell's Gowan was named the most valuable player for the playoffs and received the Paul Carruthers Memorial Award from league president Chris Esson.
Pete Kinghan and Dale Lightheart accepted the Strother Cup from league secretary and series convenor Scott Anderson.
Giants win two
Nick Hodgson of the Orangeville Giants delivers a pitch in game four of the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series Sept. 18 in New Lowell. Hodgson was the winning pitcher in two games, pitching 13 innings, giving up three runs on 14 hits.
(David Anderson photo)
September 19, 2016
The Orangeville Giants have moved into the lead of the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series winning two games against the defending champions New Lowell Knights on Sunday 3-2 and 6-4.
A doubleheader was set up for Sunday after rain on Saturday forced a second game in the series to be postponed. The two games were played at New Lowell's park with the Knights as home team in both.
The Knights scored first in game four with a run in the second inning. They would add their second in the fourth frame.
Orangeville plated two runs in the fourth frame and added the winning run in the fifth to take the game 3-2.
For Orangeville Brett Chater and Drew Huerter both singled twice with Mike Wallace, Matt Drury and Nick Hogdson contributing singles.
Sean Thompson, Todd Gowan, Brandon Norrie and Allan Brownridge singled for the Knights with Dale Lightheart and Chris Greer hitting two singles in the losing cause. Norrie also chipped in with a double.
Hodgson pitched a complete game giving up two runs on nine hits, walking one Knight while hitting two.
Brownridge was on the mound for the Knights allowing three runs on six hits, walking two with four strikeouts. Norrie relieved him in the seventh inning giving up one hit while striking out one Giant.
In game five, the Giants opened the first inning with a run, which was quickly answered by New Lowell in their half scoring three.
In the third Orangeville plated another run to bring the game within one. New Lowell's Sean Connor hit a solo homerun to maintain the two run lead in the bottom of the third.
The game was tied in the fourth inning after Chater hit a two-run home run and the Giants added two more runs in the fifth to take the lead.
New Lowell was shut down for the last three innings losing 6-4.
Hits were recorded by Kevin Buck, Huerter, Derek Gordon, Daryl Bond, two from Mitchell Pike and Wallace, and the homerun from Chater.
Greer and Thompson both singled for the Knights with Thompson hitting a double. Todd Patton and Norrie each hit two doubles and Connor homered.
Jesse Edmunds pitched one inning for the Giants allowing three runs on three hits, walking three and striking out two. He was quickly replaced by Hodgson who after throwing seven innings in the first game of the day, pitched another six innings giving up one run on five hits, two walks with one strikeout.
The Knights started Norrie on the rubber for four innings of play. He allowed four runs on six hits, walked five and struck out two.
Gowan pitched the remaining three frames, giving up two runs on three hits, walked one and hit one batter, while striking out five Giants.
The series resumes on Saturday in Orangeville for game six and if required a game seven will be played in New Lowell on Sunday. Both game times are 1 p.m.
Knights lead championship
Kevin Buck of the Orangeville Giants slides into second base before the tag from Sean Connor of the New Lowell Knights during game three of the NDBL championship series Sept. 11, 2016.
(David Anderson photo)
September 12, 2016
The New Lowell Knights have taken a 2-1 series lead in the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series after a 15-1 victory over the Orangeville Giants on Sunday.
Only one game of the senior division championship series was played on the weekend after the New Lowell diamond was unplayable for the scheduled Saturday game due to rainy weather.
Sunday's contest was a one-sided affair with the Knights scoring five runs in the first inning, including a three-run home run from Todd Gowan. Another run was added in the second, two in the third, and three in the fourth.
In the fifth frame Todd Patton brought three runs home on a shot that cleared the right-centre fence and the Knights added one more run in the sixth.
Orangeville scored their only run in the first inning.
The Knights pounded out 18 hits in the mercy ending six-inning game. In addition to the homeruns from Gowan and Patton; Chris Greer, Sean Thompson, Sean Connor all doubled in the game.
Singles went to Greer, Gowan, Connor, Trevor Martin, Allan Brownridge and two each from Thompson, Brandon Norrie, Dan Holwell, and Steve Baldry.
Orangeville managed three hits including a double by Derek Gordon and singles from Drew Huerter and Matt Drury.
Baldry pitched all six innings for the Knights, allowing one run on three hits, walking two and hitting one batter. He recorded nine strikeouts.
The Giants used three pitchers during the contest including starter Nick Hodgson who allowed eight runs on 11 hits, walked two and struck out two over his three innings.
Jesse Edmunds pitched the fourth inning giving up three runs on three hits and striking out one Knight.
Gordon finished the game allowing four runs on four hits, walking four and fanning one.
Game four will be played Saturday in New Lowell at 1 p.m. with game five in Orangeville on Sunday at 2 p.m. If a game six and seven are required, both games will be played in New Lowell on Sept. 24 and 25.
Ivy Leafs OBA Champs
Ivy Leafs won the senior 'A' provincial championship on Sept. 4. Pictured back row from left, coach Vance White, Mike Kazienko, Brett Scott, Jarrett Vanderpost, Kirby Smith, Alex Banski, Josh Tress, Josh Henson, Kevin Dumond, Chad Watters, Sean Hayward. Front row, Phil Tan, Jeremy Fernandez, Norm Love, Brad Grieveson, Dave Reid, Brett Elliott, Mark Letham.
(Lisa Grieveson photo)
September 6, 2016
The Ivy Leafs are the senior 'A' provincial champions after a 4-1 decision over Tecumseh on Sunday.
The two teams met for the championship with Ivy needing to win two games over the undefeated Tecumseh. The Leafs won the first game 5-1 to force the second game where they prevailed.
Both teams had previously played each other during game three with Tecumseh winning the contest 13-3. In other games, Ivy took victories over Corunna 1-0, Clearview 4-3 and Fort Erie 6-0. They had a bye for the second round.
Ivy last won a provincial championship in 2001 taking home the 'B' title.
Along with Ivy, the Clearview Orioles attended the same tournament in Corunna and opened the weekend with a bye followed by a 7-6 victory over Fort Erie. Meeting the local Leafs in game two they suffered a loss and were eliminated after losing 8-6 to Fort Erie.
At other divisional tournaments, the New Lowell Knights lost in the finals to a strong Exeter team 8-3 at the 'AA' tournament. New Lowell opened the weekend with a 2-1 win over Kendal and an 11-4 decision over Kincardine. Meeting Exeter in the third game, the Knights fell 8-5. A 7-3 win over Kincardine and an 8-0 outing against the Aurora Jays moved the Knights into the championship to meet Exeter again.
The Aurora team and the Orangeville Giants were also at the 'AA' tournament. The Jays picked up two wins over Port Hope 8-4 and Niagara Falls 3-0 to receive a bye into the fourth round where they lost to Exeter 6-5. They met New Lowell in semi-final play and lost, knocking them out of contention.
Orangeville managed an opening game win against London 3-2 but lost their next two games 3-2 to Exeter and 11-3 to Kincardine.
At the 'B' tournament in Wyoming, the Lisle Astros made it to semi-final play after winning three games and losing two. The team defeated Mitchell 8-7, Wyoming 6-3 and Oakridge 5-4 before losing to Merritton 5-2 and Harrow 6-4.
The Barrie Angels and Midland Indians were also in Wyoming. Midland lost the first game 13-11 to Harrow and then beat Listowel 4-3 in game two. In game three they lost to the strong Woodslee team 9-1.
Barrie lost two games going down in defeat to Merritton 3-2 and Woodslee 9-2.
The 'C' championship tournament featured the Creemore Barons, Creemore Braves and Bolton Dodgers.
The Dodgers made semi-final play losing to Port Lambton 14-10. The Dodgers dropped their first game 16-4 to Essex but picked up three wins against Forest 12-0, Thorold 12-0 and Simcoe 6-5, before losing to Port Lambton.
The Creemore Barons opened with a 6-2 win over Forest but lost the next two games to Essex 4-3 and St. Catherines 5-2.
Going down in defeat to Amherstburg 3-2, the Creemore Braves picked up a game two win over Walsingham 9-3 to stay alive. In a close 7-6 bout with Simcoe the Braves took their second loss.
OBA Bound
August 31, 2016
Senior teams from the NDBL hit the road this weekend for Ontario Baseball Association provincial championships.
In all, 11 teams will vie for a title at four tournaments.
The Aurora Jays, New Lowell Knights and Orangeville Giants travel to Kendal for the 'AA' tournament. New Lowell were 'AA' champions last year and look to defend their title meeting Kendal on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Kendal lost to the Knights in the finals last season. Aurora plays Port Hope at 3 p.m. with Orangeville meeting London at 5:30 p.m.
Cleraview Orioles and Ivy Leafs make the trek to Corunna for the 'A' tournament. Ivy plays Corunna at 8 p.m. while Clearview has a bye for the first round. Clearview meets the winner of the Ivy-Corunna game on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Wyoming hosts the 'B' tournament with Barrie Angels, Lisle Astros and Midland Indians participating. Friday play begins with Barrie meeting Merritton and Lisle playing Mitchell. Both games start at 5:30 p.m. Midland plays Harrow at 8 p.m.
The 'C' tournament in Forest will have Creemore Barons, Creemore Braves, and Bolton Dodgers attending. The Braves meet Amherstburg at 3 p.m. Friday, while both the Barons and Dodgers play at 8 p.m. The Barons play Forest and Bolton meets Essex
Knights & Giants split games in NDBL final
Nick Hodgson of the Orangeville Giants tags Dale Lightheart of the New Lowell Knights at home plate to make an out during the third inning of game one of the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series Aug. 27, 2016.
(David Anderson photo)
August 29, 2016
The championship series of the North Dufferin Baseball League featuring the New Lowell Knights and Orangeville Giants is underway.
The first two games of the best of seven series were played over the weekend. The Knights, defending league champs, took the first game 10-3 while the Giants won the second game 4-2.
The Knights dominated game one played at New Lowell on Saturday after scoring four runs in the second inning, they added one more in the third to take a five run lead.
Orangeville answered in their half of the fourth scoring three runs. A fourth run was plated in the inning but was appealed by the Knights as the runner failed to touch third base on the way home.
The Knights responded with two more runs in their half of the fourth frame adding another three runs in the fifth to take the game 10-3.
New Lowell also dominated in hits, recording 13 over six innings at bat. One of the hits included a three-run home run from Todd Gowan. Gowan also doubled in the contest as did Brandon Norrie and Todd Patton.
Norrie, Steve Baldry and Jake Nicholson hit singles while Chris Greer, Sean Connor and Dale Lightheart each had a pair of hits.
Bill Shaw and Matt Drury singled for the Giants.
Gowan pitched for the Knights and over seven innings allowed three runs on two hits, walked four and struck out seven Orangeville players.
For the first four innings Darius Barlas toed the rubber for the Giants giving up seven runs, ten hits, walked two, hit one batsman, and recorded four strikeouts.
He was relieved by Carson Burns who pitched two innings allowing three runs, on three hits, and walked two.
Orangeville hosted game two on Sunday scoring two runs in the first inning and maintaining the lead for the next two innings.
In the top of the fourth, New Lowell managed to tie the game with two runs but Orangeville plated two more in the fifth to win the game 4-2.
Mitchell Pike and Nick Hodgson singled for the Giants with both Kevin Buck and Derek Gordon hitting a single and a double. Mike Wallace doubled in the winning cause.
New Lowell's Patton, Connor, and Baldry each singled with Norrie hitting a double.
Hodgson was on the mound for the Giants and allowed two runs on four hits over his seven innings. He walked one, had two hit by pitches and struck out six New Lowell batters.
For the Knights, Norrie gave up four runs, seven hits, walked three, hit one batter while fanning three over his six innings.
New Lowell and Orangeville are the two remaining teams of the 14 team senior loop. New Lowell beat the Bolton Dodgers in first round action and the Aurora Jays in the second round.
Orangeville made the finals winning series over the Clearview Orioles and Ivy Leafs.
Championship series action, which is only played on weekends, will halt over the Labour Day weekend to allow both teams to compete at provincial championships, along with nine other league teams.
The finals will pick up again on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. in New Lowell and Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. in Orangeville.
