Kretz Returns from Far West Spiritual Quest, Disarms Snipers

The Burlington White Sox were triumphant over the Stoney Creek Snipers 4-2 on Tuesday night at Ireland Park.

After a well pitched 2.5 innings (that saw no runs score), the White Sox got on the board in the 3rd inning when James Cossitt singled to centre, Kretz almost doubled to right centre and Josh Cossitt singled, scoring his Daddy.

The Snipers took the lead in the top of the 5th inning after Russ Stevens put the exclamation point on a great at bat. After a series of foul offs, Stevens would triple hard to right centre! Joel Ricci promptly lined to left field, and scored Stevens. Then with runners on 1st and 2nd "Better Windisch" would make a great snag at 1B but would pay for his greedy attempt to turn 2 and air mail the ball into LF, scoring Ricci and letting the Snipers take a 2-1 lead on the Sox. Tanner Hodgson did make up for the earlier blunder by turning a nifty double play on a line out to CF to end the frame!

Perhaps sparked by the Hodgson defensive gem in the top of the 5th, the Sox would counter with 2 of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Pedro would walk. Tanner would single and then Kretzy would step up (picking up Old Man Cossitt) with a double to right centre, scoring both runners and reclaiming the lead, 3-2.

The Sox would add to the lead in the 6th inning. Toons would continue to make his case as the lead off hitter permanently and double to start the frame. Moncur would line out hard to CF but Graham would single setting up a double from Tyler and a 4-2 lead.

Sean Kretz earned the win for the Burlington White Sox. The starter allowed seven hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings, striking out three and walking one. Kretzy was sharp and the battery of Kretz and Cossitt JR looked great together all night!

Chris Banko took the loss for Stoney Creek. The veteran starting pitcher was effective in mixing his pitches (and location) to keep the Sox at bay through 5 innings. Banko gave up 3 runs on 6 hits, striking out 3 and walking 3. Behind Banko the Snipers turned 1 double play in the game. They were also sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error.

After much debate on the Burlington bench (and some expletives from the Kretz Family), Dylan "Pedro" Grosul came out to shut the door on the Snipers in the 7th. Pedro, a recent watcher of the Mark Wahlberg collection and inspired by all the "Shooter" has to offer, prepped for this outing (as per usual) with what B-Mac would call "the ultimate hair replenishment" (or the "frosted tips" method) and came out ready to blow the Snipers away. After 3 batters, 3 Ks were recorded and the save was in the books. Sox win! Sox win!

The Sox amassed nine hits in the game. Kretz, (the #9 hitter for Burlington), led the way with 2 RBIs. The pitcher helped his own cause and went 2-for-2 on the day. Brett Graham also collected two hits for the White Sox to lead the way.

#8 hitter, Joel Ricci, showed the depth of the Snipers's lineup, by leading them with 2 hard hits in 3 at bats.

The Burlington White Sox will travel to Milton to face the Dodgers for their next game on Sunday night.

Date: July 15, 2025     Time: 8:30pm      Venue: Ireland D2 - formerly D