The young Niagara Metros played inspired baseball from start to finish, as they won 4 straight games to claim the Strathroy Royals Invitational Tournament this past weekend.  The Metros got 3 consecutive complete game pitching performances, and rode the incredible hitting of catcher Evan Baglieri to the title, and the first-place prize money. It was the Metros' first appearance at the Strathroy Tourney, and the team's first tournament win since the London Lakeside event, in 2008.

The Championship final was a barn-burner, as the Metros downed the Martingrove White Sox of the G.T.B.L., by the score of 12-8.  Niagara led 4-0 after two, but Martingrove struck for 5 in the 3rd to take the lead.  The lead then changed hands 3 more times before Niagara got an RBI-single from Dan Proctor in the 6th inning, to put them ahead to stay.

Baglieri led the offense with a HR, a 2-run single, and an RBI single for a 4-RBI day.  Anthony Vacca collected 3 hits and 2 RBI's, while Jono Marcheterre added 3 singles and an RBI.  Brian Kusey added 2 hits, while Ricky Ferri and Andrew Sorochan rounded out the 14 hit attack.  Brandon Beattie, the 2nd of 3 Niagara pitchers, was the winning pitcher, tossing 2 innings of relief.  He allowed a pair of runs on 4 hits.  Andrew Neustaedter started and went 3 2/3 innings, allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits and 5 walks, striking out 4.  Jonathan Paul pitched a scoreless final 1 1/3 innings, and picked up the save, allowing just 1 walk.

The Metros started their championship run on Friday night with a solid 5-2 win over the powerhouse host team, the Strathroy Royals, of the Southwestern Ontario Senior League.  Geoff Strong was superb on the mound for Niagara, as he tossed the complete game victory.  Strong allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 13.  

Evan Baglieri gave Strong all the support he would require with a tape-measure Grand Slam HR, and the 4 RBI's that go with it.  Anthony Vacca delivered his first HR of the year for the other run, while Taylor Anderson, Chris Pickles and Ricky Ferri added singles.

In game 2 on Saturday, the Metros scored early and often in an 8-1 victory over the Martingrove White Sox (who would win their way back to the finals).  The story in this one was Chris Pickles, who made his 2nd start on the Metros' mound a memorable one, with a complete game victory.  Pickles allowed 10 hits, but walked 2 and struck out 3, while allowing only an unearned run. 

Meanwhile the offense was clicking, and was once again led by Baglieri.  His day included a mammoth 3-run HR, and a solo HR (for 4 more RBI's).  Ricky Ferri added 2 hits and 2 RBI's, while Taylor Anderson and Jono Marcheterre collected a pair of hits each.  Dan Proctor added an RBI-single and Brian Kusey picked up a single, to round out the 10-hit offense.

The win over Martingrove set up a match with the highly-rated Markham Mariners of the GTBL, and in the best game of the weekend, the Metros emerged with a 4-3 win in extra innings.  Anthony Vacca's 8th-inning RBI single delivered Ricky Ferri with the game-winning run for Niagara.  Pitcher Brandon Beattie, in his 3rd AB of the year, clubbed a solo HR for Niagara while Ferri, Jonathan Paul and Baglieri had a pair of singles each.  Jono Marcheterre picked up an RBI Sac Fly.  

The Metros were buoyed by the great pitching of 19 year-old starter Brian Kusey.  Kusey went the 8-inning distance and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) and just 4 hits.  He walked 4 and struck out 5 against the Mariners, one of the top offensive teams in the province.

Over the course of the weekend, the Metros got solid contributions from every player, but Baglieri's performance was truly special - a .615 BA (8 for 13), 3 walks (2 intentional), 4 singles, 4 Home Runs, and 12 RBI's.  Niagara now gets a couple of days off, before they return to reglar league play on Thursday night.  The Burlington Brants come to town for a 7:30 start at Community Park.  The team then takes to the road on Sunday, for a special "Canada Day Weekend" doubleheader at Heritage Park in Hamilton versus the Glanbrook Grizzlies.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00.

The Niagara Metros' plans for a practice Thursday night got waylayed by a storm that came through Niagara in the afternoon, and the team was forced to cancel.  That just leaves the business at hand to attend to - and that is the Strathroy Invitational Classic beginning Friday evening.

The Metros will meet the powerful host team - the Strathroy Royals at 7:45 on Friday evening.  The game is scheduled for Royals Field at Alexandra Park.  If the Metros win, they would receive a second round bye, and not play their second game until Saturday at 5:00 PM.  Should the Royals win game 1, Niagara would be forced to come back and play either Ilderton or Martingrove at 9:30 Saturday morning.  The tourney continues into Sunday, when the 2011 champion (and the recipient of a nice prize payout) is declared.

Win or lose in Strathroy, the Metros will return to regular C.O.M.B.L. play next Thursday night, June 30.  The Burlington Brants (after being rained out here earlier in the year) will pay their first visit to Community Park.  Game time is set for 7:30.

The Oakville A's and Niagara Metros played a nearly flawless game in Oakville last night, and the A's emerged victorious by a 5-3 count.  There was only 1 error in the game (by the Metros, leading to an unearned A's run), and a number of very good defensive plays on both sides.  Meanwhile, the pitchers for both teams "bent, but didn't break" and kept the scoring in check.  Oakville held a 2-1 lead after 4, but scored 3 5th-inning runs to open a 5-1 lead.  However, Niagara scored a run in the 6th and 1 in the 7th to narrow the gap, but couldn't come all the way back (leaving the tying runs on base in the 9th).

Marc Walton pitched in and out of trouble all game, but hung in and went the distance to pick up the win for the A's.  He allowed 12 Metros' hits, but managed to strand 11 Niagara baserunners.  Metros' starter Geoff Strong took a tough loss, going 4 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on just 3 hits.  He walked 1 and struck out 7.  Brian Kusey tossed 3 innings of relief, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits.  He walked 5 and struck out 3.  Ricky Ferri, making his first mound appearance of the season, allowed 1 hit in his inning of work.

Andrew Kotulak picked up 3 RBI's to lead the offense for Oakville, while Courtney Morales, Gord Robertson and Kevin Lee picked up 2 hits each.  Jonathan Paul led the Metros' hit parade with a triple, double and single.  Anthony Vacca also had three hits, including a pair of doubles and 2 RBI's.  Dan Proctor and Ricky Ferri had a pair of singles each, while Taylor Anderson and Jono Marcheterre rounded out the Niagara offense with singles.
 
The win improves Oakville's record to 6-7, while the Metros drop to 5-7-1 with the loss.  There will be no regular Thursday night home game this week, as Niagara will be holding a practice to prepare for the Strathroy Invitational Tournament on the weekend.  The Metros will take on the host team, Friday night at Alexandra Park beginning at 7:45.  The next C.O.M.B.L. game for Niagara will be Thursday June 30, as the Burlington Brants pay their first visit to St. Catharines.  First pitch at Community Park is 7:30.


NEW WEBSITE STUFF

Hey did you check out the new material we've added to the website?  If you click on the "Hap Walters Tourney" link to the left of this page, you'll see the Divisional setup and schedule for the tournament (named after the father of St. Catharines Senior baseball) that the C.O.M.B.L. is hosting in July.  With 20 Elimination-bound teams in attendance, it promises to be a fantastic weekend of ball.

Also, we have added 11 great new "action shots" from our Saturday doubleheader against Brampton from this past weekend.  One of our fans generously took a bunch of terrific photos and forwarded them to us at metrosbaseball.ca.  We have since posted them in our "Photo Album".  Thanks for the donation...we hope everyone enjoys them. 

The Niagara Metros can't be accused of doing things the easy way!  Yesterday at Community Park, the Metros found themselves trailing the Brampton Battlecats 9-3 after 3 innings, only to come back and win the game 14-11.  Then in game two, they were down 6-2 in the 5th inning, but managed to come all the way back to eke out an 8-7 victory.  The result was a doubleheader sweep of the first-place 'Cats, and an end to the Metros' 4 games losing streak.

In game 1, as mentioned, the Battlecats took a 9-3 lead into the 4th inning, but the patient Metros took full advantage of 14 walks issued by the Brampton pitching staff and, combined with some clutch hits, scored 5 in the 4th, 5 in the 5th, and one more in the 6th, to win 14-11.  Andrew Sorochan's Grand Slam HR was the decisive hit, giving the Metros the lead in the 5th.  He added a single, for a 2-hit game.  Evan Baglieri continued his magical season, collecting a 3-run double, an RBI-double, a single, and an RBI-Sac Fly, for a total of 5 RBI's on the game.  Chris Pickles added a pair of hits and a pair of RBI's, while Anthony Vacca picked up a single, an RBI, 3 walks, and 4 runs.  Dan Proctor, and Ricky Ferri rounded out the offense with singles.  Vic Speciale had 3 hits for Brampton.

The winning pitcher in game 1 was Brandon Beattie, the 3rd of 3 Metros hurlers.  Beattie pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, and shut out the 'Cats on 2 hits, while striking out 2.  Starter Brian Kusey had a rough outing, going 1 1/3 innings and allowing 7 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks.  Andrew Neustaedter came in and held the powerful Brampton offense to 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 3 in his 3 1/3 innings of relief.  Reliever Joe Nonis, the 3rd Brampton pitcher, took the loss.

While game 2 was much cleaner (only 5 walks issued), it followed a similar script.  Brampton took a 3-2 lead into the 5th, before adding 3 runs to take a 6-2 lead.  However, the never-say-die Metros put up a 3-spot in the bottom of the 5th, and then added 3 more in the 6th, to take an 8-6 lead.  They then hung on, as the 'Cats scored a run in the 7th, and got the tying run to 3rd base when the final out was recorded.

The winning pitcher was reliever Jonathan Paul, who pitched the final two innings in relief of starter Chris Pickles.  Paul allowed an unearned run on 1 hit and 1 walk, while striking out 2.  Pickles, making his first start in a Metros uniform, went 5 innings and allowed 6 runs on 11 hits.  He walked 1 and struck out 2.  Starter Mike Burke took the loss for Brampton.

The big hit in game two came off the bat of rookie Taylor Anderson for Niagara.  His second double of the game drove in the 2 lead runs in the 6th inning.  Baglieri had yet another big game, with a double and a massive HR that hit the top of the batter's eye in straight away centerfield.  The HR was Baglieri's 5th of the season.  Pickles helped himself with an RBI-single, while Andrew Sorochan, Jono Marcheterre, Ricky Ferri and Brian Kusey collected singles.  Anthony Vacca chipped in with an RBI Sac Fly.  Vic Speciale had an amazing game for Brampton, as he collected 2 HR's and a single, for 4 RBI's.

The result of the doubleheader further tightens up the already tight C.O.M.B.L. standings.  Brampton drops to 6-5 and into 2nd place in the Andrews, while the Metros improve to 5-6-1, to get back into the thick of the race in the Johnson Division.  And the Metros' hectic schedule continues, as they take on the Oakville A's Monday night in Oakville.  There will be no regularly scheduled Thursday night home game this week, as Niagara prepares to participate in the Strathroy tournament next weekend.  Next home game will be Thursday June 30, as the Burlington Brants visit Community Park.  Game time is 7:30.          

The Milton Red Sox scored 5 runs in the first inning and never looked back, as they downed the Niagara Metros 11-5 last night at Community Park.  The Red Sox extended their lead to 11-1 through 6 innings, but Niagara came up with a 4-spot in the 7th, to make the score more respectable.  It was the 4th straight loss for Niagara.

Scott McTrach picked up the win for Milton, going 6 innings and allowing a run on 5 hits.  Starter Brandon Beattie, the first of 3 Metros pitchers, took the loss.  He went 4 1/3 innings and allowed 9 runs (7 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 1.  Andrew Neustaedter tossed 3 2/3 innings of relief, giving up 2 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 5.  Chris Pickles pitched a scoreless 9th, allowing a hit and two walks.

Dusty Roskam led Milton's 14-hit attack with a double and two singles, while Steve Dunlop added 3 hits of his own.  For the Metros, Evan Baglieri once again led the way.  The 2nd-year catcher doubled and singled, driving in 3 runs (giving him an amazing 23 in the 10 games played this season).  Jonathan Paul singled 3 times, while Chris Pickles added a pair of hits and an RBI Sac Fly.  Ricky Ferri, Anthony Vacca, Jono Marcheterre, and Taylor Anderson added singles, to round out the Metros' 11-hit attack.

With the win, the Red Sox get back to the .500 mark at 4-4, while Niagara drops to 3-6-1 in the Johnson Division of the C.O.M.B.L.  The Metros return to the field tomorrow (Saturday, June 18) as the first-place Brampton Battlecats come to town for a doubleheader.  First pitch, at Community Park, is scheduled for 12:00 noon.
   

Well, with all of the stuff going on these days, a few website updates seemed to be in order this week.  The Niagara Metros have had a lot of player happenings, and a lot of games have been played lately...so sometimes the website gets pushed to the back burner.  Let's bring you up to date:

1.  Last week we told you about the Cleveland Indians drafting Metros pitcher, Rob Nixon...and we told you that could wind up either in Ohio, or in Arizona.  Actually the Indians ended up sending Rob to their New York - Penn League team in Mahoning Valley (the Scrappers).  That is the same NY-Penn league that the former St. Catharines Blue Jays and Stompers played in at Community Park, back in the 1980's and 1990's.  This is good news for anyone wishing to see Rob pitch in person, as it's only a 4 hour drive to Mahoning Valley, and many of the road trips in the NYP league bring him close to Niagara...such as the road trip that brings the Scrappers to Batavia, NY (1 hour and 10 minutes) in July.  Best of luck in pro ball, Rob!

2.  Last week, we took a bunch of new photos from our two games, June 6th at home against Glanbrook, and June 7th in Mississauga.  Those photos have been posted on the site, and feature some great "action shots".  Just click on the "Photo Album" link, to the left of this page.

3.  We have posted the very early Metros individual statistics from the 2011 season.  You'll find the links to the Batting, Fielding and Pitching stats (up to and including the 9 games played to June 12) on the "Standings / Stats" page (link to the left).  Keep in mind that these stats are from a very small sample size, and can be very much affected by one or two very good, or very bad games.  Read them with a "grain of salt".

4.  Last week, we completed our Baseball Film Feature Top 10 list, with the piece from "Field of Dreams".  This week we return to our regular format, of posting new, funny and interesting baseball moments caught on film.  And this weeks clip features all of the above.  We have a clip from the NY-Penn league game in June of 2008, featuring Switch-hitter Ralph Henriquez batting against Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte.  Neither player was willing to give the other the advantage, in this hilarious never-before-seen in baseball standoff.  Just scroll to the bottom of this page, press "Play" and enjoy!

5.  Once again we'd like to remind everybody about our upcoming 3-game week.  On Thursday, the Milton Red Sox pay their first visit to the Niagara area, as they take on the Metros in a 7:30 start.  Then on Saturday, the first place Brampton Battlecats come to town for a doubleheader against the Metros, with the first picth being thrown at 12:00 noon.  All three games are at Community Park.  Hope to see everyone out to support the team.     

The Niagara Metros dropped their third game in a row last night, as they lost a 9-3 decision to the Glanbrook Grizzlies at Bernie Arbour Stadium in Hamilton.  It was more of the same for the young Metros, as they had a third inning meltdown committing 2 errors and allowing 5 hits (leading to 6 runs) for the hard-hitting Grizzlies.  That was more than enough to bring home the win for Glanbrook, although they added 2 more in the 4th and 1 in the 7th.

Jamie Kozak was the starting and winning pitcher for the Grizz, as he went 5 innings and allowed one run on 4 hits.  Brian Kusey took the loss on the Niagara mound, going the first 3+ innings, allowing 7 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 2.  Brandon Beattie followed Kusey and, pitching in the third straight game, he went 2 innings and allowed one run, 3 hits, and 1 walk, while striking out 1.  Chris Pickles, making his first appearance on the mound for the Metros, did a nice job closing out the game.  The 19 year-old second year player tossed 3 innings and allowed one run on 3 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 4.

The big man offensively for the Grizzlies was Tim Sogan, who tripled and singled, driving in a pair of runs.  Taylor Anderson and Pickles collected a pair of singles and an RBI each to lead the Metros' offense.  Anthony Vacca also had two hits, while Andrew Sorochan and Jono Marcheterre chipped in with singles.  Jonathan Paul had the other Metros RBI.

The win improves Glanbrook's record to 5-3 and allows them to open a 2-game lead in the Johnson Division.  The Metros drop to 3-5-1 and leaves them in third place in the same division.  Niagara returns home for their regular Thursday night home game...7:30 versus the Milton Red Sox.  Then on Saturday, the Brampton Battlecats come to town for a double dip beginning at 12:00.  All of the games are at Community Park.  

Niagara Metros' Evan Baglieri had a night that most people can only dream of, last night at Community Park.  Unfortunately, it came in a game that more closely resembled a nightmare than a dream, as the Erindale Cardinals beat up on the Metros to the tune of 20-15.  You read that right...20-15.  Both teams played a game that they would soon like to forget, as they combined for 35 runs, 33 hits, 11 errors, and 20 walks...in a game not surprisingly called after 8 innings due to curfew.

The story of the game, however, was Baglieri.  He clobbered a 2-run HR, a 3-run HR, a Grand Slam HR (his 2nd of the year) and a 2-run single.  The 3 HR's ties and all-time Metros mark, while the 11 RBI's sets a new all-time Metros record (breaking the old mark of 9 set by Mike Coull in 1992).  In fact, he could have added to his totals, as he hit a liner to third with 2 more runners in scoring position to end the game.  Overshadowed on the offensive side was Erindale's Steve Gallant, who collected 5 hits (including a double) and 5 RBI's. 

In addition to Baglieri's efforts, the Metros got 3 hits, 3 runs and an RBI from Taylor Anderson, as well as a double, single and 2 RBI's from Anthony Vacca.  Jono Marcheterre hit an RBI single, Jonathan Paul tripled, and Ricky Ferri, Neil Campbell, and Chris Pickles chipped in with singles.  In addition to Gallants' 5 hits, the Cardinals got a triple and single along with 2 RBI's from Gavin Rajiva, while Aniel Birsa collected 3 singles.

It was not a night for pitching or defense for either team.  Dan Nauth (the second of 3 Erindale pitchers) picked up the win on the mound, despite giving up 8 runs in 2+ innings.  Dan Proctor, the 3rd of 5 Metros hurlers, took the loss.  He tossed 1 2/3 innings, allowing 6 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 1.  Starter Andrew Neustaedter pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up 7 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits.  He walked 5 and struck out 1.  Brandon Beattie went 2 1/3 innings, and gave up 2 runs (0 earned), 4 hits, 1 walk, and collected 3 K's.  Jonathan Paul followed Proctor to the mound and tossed 1 1/3 innings.  He allowed 2 runs (0 earned), on 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4.  Finally, Andrew Sorochan making his Metros mound debut in his 8th season, pitched the final inning, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk...striking out 1.  By the way, Niagara broke another unenviable team record last night...walks issued in a game (13). 

Speaking of generosity, the Metros' 6 errors helped to hand 8 unearned runs to the Cards, while Erindale tried to return the favour by making 5 errors leading to 6 unearned Metros runs. The win improves the Cardinals' record to 4-3, while the loss drops Niagara's record to 3-4-1.  Luckily, the Metros don't have too long to dwell on last night's game, as they travel to Bernie Arbour Stadium in Hamilton, to take on the Glanbrook Grizzlies this Sunday. The next home game will be next Thursday, as the Milton Red Sox come to town for their first visit of the year.  Game time at Community Park is 7:30.   

The Niagara Metros are very proud to announce that one of their pitchers, Rob Nixon, has been selected in the 2011 MLB first-year player draft.  Nixon, a 22 year-old Welland native, was taken in the 46th round (1388th overall) by the Cleveland Indians.  He has not yet signed with the Major League club, but expects to do so in the next few days.

Nixon graduated from the Bullett-Proof organization (Elite program based in Welland) in 2008, and as an 18 year-old, played the entire summer season of '08 with the Metros. He posted a very impressive 7-4 record, and a 1.99 ERA in his 74 innings with the team.  Rob then went on to play 4 years with Adelphi University, an NCAA D2 school in New York City, where he re-wrote the schools record book.  His just-completed senior year was terriffic and put him on the MLB map, after being named a first team All Northeast 10 Conference All Star, as well as being named a Second-Team All-American by the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association. 

His numbers at Adelphi were truely remarkable...113.1 innings, 10 CG's, 82 hits, 23 walks, 104 strikeouts, an 11-2 record, 1.43 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a .203 batting average against.  Rob then came home, and completed his "amateur" career just last Thursday, returning to the Niagara Metros for one last start (as it turns out).  He tossed a complete game 7-hitter, and allowed no earned runs while striking out 12, in the Metros 10-4 win over Oakville.

Rob has talked to Cleveland, but there hasn't been a decision as to where he will be headed, as yet.  He could be joining a short season "A" club in Ohio, or a Rookie league club in Arizona.  Either way, the hard-working youngster will be achieving a lifelong dream, and the Metros couldn't be prouder or happier for him.  Once again, congratulations, Rob!!
 

The Niagara Metros went into Clarkson Park last night, and played a pretty good game.  But the Mississauga Twins played a perfect game, and the result was a 6-0 victory for the home team.  The Twins pitchers combined to allow the Metros just 4 hits...the defense made several superb plays to thwart potential Niagara rallies...and the offense struck for three big two-out run scoring singles and a HR, for the difference in the game.

Adam Banski, the first of three Twins pitchers, picked up the win, going 5 innings. He allowed just 1 hit, while walking 5 and striking out 2.  Brian Kusey took the loss on the Metros mound.  The 19 year-old went 5 innings and allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 5.  Brandon Beattie pitched the final 3 innings and allowed a run on 1 hit and 4 walks, striking out 2.

The Twins, while only collecting 6 hits, made them count...and were led by SS Jamie Smith who singled and homered, collecting three runs.  Andrew Salmon had a pair of singles.  Evan Baglieri led the Metros at the plate with a single and a double.  Anthony Vacca and Andrew Sorochan collected the other hits for Niagara.

The loss sends the Metros' record back to .500, at 3-3-1...while Mississauga improves to 4-6 on the young season.  The Metros don't get too much of a break either, as they return to action Thursday night with the Erindale Cardinals coming to town for their first meeting of 2011.  First pitch at Community Park is 7:30.
 

For the second straight game the Niagara Metros got a dominating pitching performance from their starter, and backed him with some timely hitting to win at home.  Last Thursday it was pitcher Rob Nixon, who received help from Jonathan Paul and Neil Campbell.  Last night it was pitcher Geoff Strong and outfielder Anthony Vacca that led the way to a 9-4 victory over the Glanbrook Grizzlies at Community Park.  The win was the first by the Metros over Glanbrook since the 2009 regular season.

Strong, making his second start of the year, had his "A" game working, as he went 6 innings and picked up the win.  He allowed the hard-hitting Grizz just 2 singles and 2 walks, while striking out 12 on the night.  The 2 runs he gave up were both unearned, as the Metros made 2 of their 3 errors back-to-back in the 6th inning.  Geordan Dennahower made his first appearance on the mound for the Metros in relief.  He tossed 2 innings, and allowed 2 runs (1 earned), 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 3.  Andrew Neustaedter finished up, allowing one hit.  Greg Swan, the second of three Glanbrook pitchers, took the loss.  

The Metros scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th to break open a very close 2-1 game, and take a 6-2 lead.  They then added 3 more in the 7th to make the final 9-4.  As mentioned, Anthony Vacca came up with a couple of key hits in the game...delivering 2-out, 2-run singles in both the 6th and the 7th innings, for a 4 RBI night. Justin Parro added 2 hits and an RBI, while Jonathan Paul collected a 2-run double, and Andrew Sorochan an RBI single.  Taylor Anderson and Jono Marcheterre picked up singles, and Dan Proctor added 4 walks and an RBI.  Ryan Kinsella led the Grizzlies' 6-hit attack with a pair of singles.

The win moves Niagara's record over the .500 mark to 3-2-1, and gives them the early lead in the Johnson Division ahead of the Grizzlies, who dropped to 2-2.  And the Metros' busy schedule continues this evening (if the weather allows) as they travel to Clarkson for a 7:30 matchup with the Mississauga Twins.  They then return home for their regular Thursday night contest, as the Erindale Cardinals come to town.  First pitch at Community Park is scheduled for 7:30.
              

Rob Nixon, having just been named a second-team All-American for his great season at Adelphi University, showed the Niagara Metros why, last night at Community Park.  The 22 year-old Welland native, who had already pitched 113 innings this year, added 9 more to his total with a complete game 7-hitter, as the Metros downed the Oakville A's 10-4. 

Nixon (pitching in his first game for the Metros since 2008) walked 4 and struck out 12 in the game, and despite some defensive lapses behind him (all 4 Oakville runs were unearned) kept his composure and earned the win.  A's starter Mark Tourangeau also pitched well, going 5 innings and allowing a run on 4 hits...but the Metros got to reliever Alex Hawley scoring 3 times in the 6th inning, handing him the loss.  Niagara finally broke open a close 4-3 game in the bottom of the 8th, with a big 6-run outburst keyed by Jonathan Paul's 2-out bases-loaded double, and Neil Campbell's 3-run HR.

Paul added a single to his double, for 3 RBI's to lead the Metros' 9-hit attack, while Dan Proctor and Anthony Vacca added two singles and an RBI each.  As mentioned, Neil Campbell added 3 RBI's with a HR, while Andrew Sorochan hit a 2-run double and Taylor Anderson singled.  Marc Walton singled and doubled to lead the A's 7-hit attack.

The Niagara win evens their record at 2-2-1 on the young season, while Oakville drops to 1-3.  The Metros have a busy week next week as they play 3 games in 4 days...beginning Monday at home.  The Glanbrook Grizzlies come to Community Park for a make up game beginning at 7:30.  Tuesday, Niagara takes to the road for a game in Clarkson against the Mississauga Twins, before returning home for their regular Thursday night game versus the Erindale Cardinals.  First pitch at Community Park is 7:30.