May 8                             Niagara - 8   Burlington - 3                            Record  1-0 

The Niagara Metros scored 8 late runs to break open a close ball game, and emerge with an 8-3 victory over the Burlington Brants at Nelson Park last night.  The new-look Brants gave the Niagara club all they could handle through the first 6 innings, holding a 2-0 lead, but the Metros scored 3 in the 7th, 1 in the 8th, and 4 in the 9th to win going away.  It was the first game of the year for both clubs.

Niagara outhit the Brants 14-6 on the evening, but had trouble getting the big hit with runners in scoring position, leaving 16 men on base over the course of the game.  Anthony Vacca led the Metros offensively with a double and 2 singles, along with 2 walks and 2 RBI's.  Andrew Sorochan added 3 hits and a pair of RBI's, while Evan Baglieri and Chris Anderi singled twice each.  Jono Marcheterre doubled, while Ricky Ferri, Chris Pickles and Kamil Oubayan singled.  Oubayan and Marshall McDougall added RBI's.  Cavin Bratton clubbed a solo HR and Darryl Pierce singled twice, for the Brants.

Niagara got a well-pitched game from all three of their hurlers, with lefty Brandon Beattie picking up the win in relief of starter Dan Veres.  Veres went 5 innings and allowed a run on just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.  Beattie went 2 2/3 innings for his first outing in almost 2 years.  He gave up 2 runs on 3 hits, walking none and striking out 3.  Justin Ayles recorded a 4-out save, as he snuffed out a Brants 8th-inning rally and then struck out the side in the 9th.  He allowed 2 hits while recording 4 K's in total.  Rob Birtles, the second of 3 Brants pitchers, took the loss in relief of starter Cam McKnight.

The Metros are right back in action tonight, as the Milton Red Sox come to George Taylor Field at Community Park.  The Metros plan to unveil their new "blue" uniforms in that one.  Game time is set for 7:30.

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May 9                                 Milton - 8   Niagara - 6                                 Record  1-1

The Milton Red Sox came into town and spoiled the Niagara Metros' home opener last night at George Taylor Field, taking an 8-6 decision over the home team.  The Red Sox scored 4 in the top of the first and never trailed in the game, although the Metros did try to battle back and make it close in the later innings.  Niagara narrowed the gap to 5-2 after 4, but once again Milton put up a 3-spot in the 5th, to take a 6-run lead and essentially put the game away.  With the win, Milton improved to 2-0, while Niagara dropped to 1-1 on the very young season.

Veteran starter Ian Zettle picked up the win for the Sox, as he went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs and 7 hits.  Tyler Wilson earned the save, allowing 2 hits in the 9th.  The Metros' pitchers were plagued by wildness, as they allowed 8 walks in the contest...4 of which ended up scoring.  Rookie Noah Anderson started and took the loss, going 4 innings.  He allowed 5 runs on 5 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 3.  Lukas Burch tossed 3 innings in relief, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 1.  Chris Pickles pitched the final two innings and allowed 0 runs, 3 hits and a walk, while striking out 1.

Both teams collected 12 hits in the game, with Adam Aubie leading the way for the winning Red Sox, as he collected 2 hits and 2 RBI's.  The Metros got a double, 2 singles and an RBI from Ricky Ferri, while Jono Marcheterre singled three times and added an RBI.  Dave Davidson picked up a pair of singles and 3 RBI's, while Evan Baglieri and Jonathan Paul doubled.  Andrew Sorochan and Chris Anderi rounded out the offense with singles, while Kamil Oubayan added an RBI Sac Fly.  

Niagara gets back at it on Monday, as they start a big 3-game week in Oakville.  They return home on Thursday for a matchup with the Mississauga Twins, before heading to Etobicoke Friday to meet the always tough Rangers.  That home game next Thursday is, as always, at George Taylor Field beginning at 7:30.

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May 13                             Niagara - 12   Oakville - 8                             Record  2-1

The Niagara Metros piled up a season-high 18 hits, but waited for the last possible minute to score the winning runs, as they downed the Oakville A's 12-8, last night in Oakville.  In a game played in 5 degree temperatures, the Metros (as they did 13 times in 2012) rallied for the win in their final at bats...plating 7 runs.  The game was called after 8 innings due to the league's time curfew.  Oakville took a 4-1 lead into the third inning, but Niagara tied it in the 4th at 4-4.  The teams exchanged runs before the A's plated 3 unearned runs in the bottom of the 7th, to take an 8-5 lead...setting up Niagara's last inning dramatics.

The Metros' 18-hit assault was led by Anthony Vacca and Ricky Ferri, who each collected 4 hits.  Vacca had 3 RBI's, while Ferri added an RBI and 2 stolen bases.  Evan Baglieri picked up a double and two singles to drive in a run, while Chis Pickles and Chris Anderi (RBI) added a pair of singles each.  Tim Feren chipped in with a 2-run single, Jono Marcheterre an RBI-single, and Jonathan Paul a single.  Courtney Morales led the A's 7-hit offense with a triple, single and 2 RBI's, while Matt Bekar had a pair of singles.

The Metros used 5 pitchers in the fridgid conditions, with Dan Veres picking up the win in relief.  Starter Geoff Strong went two innings and was victimized for 4 runs on 4 hits.  He walked 4 and struck out 4.  Chris Magarian pitched two innings and allowed one run on 2 hits and a walk, striking out 4.  Justin Ayles was next, and he went two shutout innings. He gave up a single and 2 walks, while striking out 2, before giving way to Veres.  Dan pitched an inning and allowed 3 unearned runs, as the Metros made all 3 of their errors in the 7th inning.  Veres did not allow a hit, but he walked 3 and struck out 1.  Brian Kusey, making his first appearance after his return from U.S. college ball, pitched a scoreless 8th inning allowing a walk and adding a strikeout to the team total of 12.  A's third pitcher of the game, Andrew Kotulak, took the loss.

With the win, Niagara improves to 2-1 on the young season, while the A's drop to 0-2.  The Metros are back in action Thursday evening as the 3-0 Mississauga Twins come to town for their only appearance at George Taylor Field this year.  Game time for that one is set for 7:30.

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May 16                       Niagara - 13   Mississauga - 11                         Record  3-1

Twenty-four runs, 30 hits, and 8 pitchers later, the Niagara Metros had emerged with a wild 13-11 victory over the Mississauga Twins, last night at George Taylor Field.  The entertaining game featured a little bit of everything, including an 8-run inning for the Twins, a 7-run inning for the Metros, marvellous defensive plays, and obviously lots of offense.  The Metros had built an early 7-run lead through 4 innings, but the Twins would not go away...and ended up taking an 11-10 lead after 6.  But as they have done on numerous occasions, the Niagara club came back with 3 runs of their own in the 7th, for the winning 2-run margin.

Leading the Metros' 16-hit assault was red-hot Ricky Ferri, who was on base all 5 times...collecting 3 hits, 2 walks, 3 runs, and 4 RBI's.  Taylor Anderson, in his first game back after finishing up his U.S. College season, added a pair of singles and 2 RBI's, while Chris Pickles and Andrew Sorochan each doubled and singled, adding an RBI.  Dave Davidson and Anthony Vacca chipped in with a pair of singles and an RBI each, while Jonathan Paul helped out with a 2-run single.  Chris Anderi and Evan Baglieri rounded out the offense with singles.  Mississauga's 14-hit attack was led by Nate Smith, who collected 3 hits and 3 RBI's, while Ed Largey doubled twice. 

Metros starter Paul McKenna probably deserved a better fate in this one, picking up a "no decision" after leaving the game with a 7-run lead. The Metros' righthander made his first start of the season, and went 5 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 6.  But Mississauga got to reliever Chris Magarian in the 6th, scoring 8 times (all of the runs were unearned, after the Metros committed a key error that would have ended the inning). "Mags" allowed 4 hits and 2 walks, before being relieved by Brandon Beattie, who earned the "W".  Beattie pitched 1 1/3 innings, and held the Twins offense off the board, surrendering 1 hit and 1 walk.  Justin Ayles came in and closed the door, to pick up his 2nd save of the year.  Ayles tossed 2 innings and gave up 3 hits but no runs, striking out 3.  James Byrnes, the 3rd of 4 Twins pitchers, took the loss.

With the win, Niagara moves to 3-1 on the season, while Mississauga dropped their first game after 4 wins to start the year.  Niagara doen't get much time to savour the victory, as they get right back at it tonight in Etobicoke...7:45 at Connorvale.  The team then gets a bit of a break, before returning to action next Thursday, as the Glanbrook Grizzlies make their first 2013 appearance at George Taylor Field.  First pitch in that one is set for 7:30.

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May 17                           Niagara - 11   Etobicoke - 6                            Record  4-1

The Niagara Metros came from behind to win their third in a row last night at Connorvale Park in Etobicoke, as they downed the home-standing Rangers 11-6.  And the Anderson boys combined to help the Metros to the win, as Noah Anderson picked up his first C.O.M.B.L. win on the mound, and Taylor Anderson (no relation) led the offense with 4 hits and 4 RBI's.  In a well-played game that was scoreless through 4 innings, Etobicoke broke through with 3 runs in the 5th and added another in the 6th for a 4-0 advantage.  But Niagara scored 6 runs in the 7th, before the Rangers tied it up at 6-6 in the bottom half of the inning.  However, the Metros added two in the 8th, and 3 more in the 9th to win going away 11-6.

As mentioned, Taylor Anderson led the Metros' comeback with 4 singles and 4 RBI's, adding a couple of stolen bases.  Ricky Ferri remained hot at the plate, picking up a pair of singles and 3 RBI's, while Chris Anderi picked up a pair of hits.  Evan Baglieri added a 2-run single, and Jono Marcheterre a single and an RBI.  Rounding out the Metros' 13-hit attack were Andrew Sorochan, Kamil Oubayan, and Marshall McDougall.  Catcher Stu Fraser led the Etobicoke offense with 3 hits, while Quinn Ellerback hit a 2-run HR.  The Rangers made just one error while Niagara played an errorless game.

On the mound, Brian Kusey gave Niagara a quality start, but was not around for the rally, so had to settle for a "no decision".  Kusey went 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits.  He walked 4 and struck out 5.  Noah Anderson picked up the win, pitching the 7th and 8th innings, giving up 2 runs and 3 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1.  Justin Ayles, pitching for the third time in 5 days, tossed a perfect 9th inning, striking out 2.  Bryan Vardzel, the 4th Ranger hurler, took the loss, after a very good 6-inning start by Andrew Hyde.  

With the win, the Metros improve to 4-1 on the young season, and tie the Mississauga Twins for first place overall, in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League.  Etobicoke dropped their 3rd against 1 win, so far.  Niagara is off till next Thursday, when they take on the Glanbrook Grizzlies at George Taylor Field.  First pitch is at 7:30.  They then remain at home, as two days later they host the Brampton Battlecats in a doubleheader, also at GTF.  Game 1 starting time is 12:00 noon.

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May 23                            Niagara - 10   Glanbrook - 5                          Record  5-1

The Niagara Metros outlasted the elements and the battling Glanbrook Grizzlies last night at George Taylor Field, as they emerged with a 10-5 rain-shortened victory.  The game, which started in 8 degree temperatures, was called in the bottom of the 7th, after the light rain (which began in the bottom of the 3rd) had devolved into a steady sideways drizzle making the field unplayable.  The Grizzlies opened the scoring, putting up a 4-spot in the top of the first, but Niagara tied it in their half of the inning.  The Metros then took a 2-run lead in the 2nd, and the teams exchanged 5th-inning runs, making the score 7-5.  But Jonathan Paul's 3-run homer to right in the bottom of the 6th gave Niagara a 5-run lead and the 10-5 victory.  It was their 4th win in a row.

The Metros, who have reached double figures in hits in every game this season, did it again last night, as they collected 13 of them.  In addition to Paul's 3-run HR, Jono Marcheterre added a double and 2 singles, along with 2 RBI's.  Anthony Vacca doubled and singled, adding 3 RBI's, while Taylor Anderson and Chris Pickles singled twice each.  Andrew Sorochan chipped in with an RBI-single, while Ricky Ferri and Dave Davidson added singles, and Marshall McDouggall added an RBI.  Metro-killer Brock Marshall continued his assault for the Grizzlies, collecting 3 hits, while Jamie Kozak added 2 hits and 2 RBI's, in the 9-hit Glanbrook attack.

The winning pitcher was Metros' reliever Brandon Beattie, who picked up his 3rd win in relief against 0 losses.  He was the second of three Niagara pitchers on the night.  Geoff Strong started and, after allowing the four 1st-inning runs, settled in nicely.  Overall, Geoff went 4 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 9.  Beattie tossed two innings, allowing 1 unearned run on a hit and 2 walks, while striking out 3.  Noah Anderson pitched an inning, walking 1 and striking out 1.  Atushi Urata started and took the loss for the Grizz.  Both teams committed just 2 errors, a remarkable performance considering the playing conditions later in the game.

As mentioned, the win for Niagara was their 4th in a row, and moved their record to 5-1 (1st place overall), while Glanbrook dropped to 1-3 on the young season.  Next up for the Metros is a rare Saturday afternoon doubleheader at home, as the always tough Brampton Battlecats come to town.  The first game begins at 12:00 noon, at George Taylor Field.

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May 25                           Niagara - 8   Brampton - 7                            Record  6-1 

The Niagara Metros continued their winning ways yesterday at George Taylor Field, as they swept the visiting Brampton Battlecats in a doubleheader by scores of 8-7 and 13-3.  The two wins stretched Niagara's streak to 6 in a row.  And the two games could not have been more different, as the first one was a sloppily-played slugfest...while game two featured good pitching and great defense, until the Metros blew it open with an 11-run 5th inning! 

Game one saw a back and forth game, as each team seemingly could not keep the other team from scoring.  With the score tied at 5, Brampton took a 1-run lead in the top of the 4th, only to have the Metros retake the lead 7-6 in the bottom of the inning.  The teams then exchanged runs in the 5th, with Taylor Anderson coming off the bench to deliver the game-winning RBI, and the 8-7 Metros win.  The teams combined to commit 7 errors (3 by Niagara) and for the first time this year the Metros were outhit in a game, as Brampton collected 13 to Niagara's 9. 

In addition to Anderson's game-winning single, Anthony Vacca doubled and singled, adding an RBI to lead Niagara, while Andrew Sorochan had a couple of RBI-singles.  Chris Pickles delivered a double and 2 RBI-Sac Flys, and Marshall McDougall came up with an RBI-double.  Ricky Ferri singled and added an RBI, while Chris Anderi rounded out the offense with a single.  Brandon Cole doubled and singled for Brampton.  The starter and winner for the Metros on the mound was Dan Veres, who pitched 5 innings.  He allowed 10 hits and 7 runs (4 earned), walking 2 and striking out 5.  Justin Ayles tossed two innings of relief and picked up his 3rd save of the year.  Ayles allowed 3 hits but no runs, as he walked 1 and struck out 3.  Starter Steve Hough took the loss on the mound for the Battlecats.

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May 25                            Niagara - 13   Brampton - 3                            Record 7-1

As mentioned, game two was a much tighter affair, with the score standing 2-0 for Niagara after 4, and both teams having made some stellar plays in the field and getting solid outings from their starters.  Then the 5th inning hit!  Brampton scored 3 runs to take a 3-2 lead, and the Metros responded with 11 runs in their half of the inning.  The game was called due to the league's 10-run mercy rule, as the final became 13-3.  Niagara came close to breaking two team records in the inning, as then sent 14 men to the plate (the record is 17) and scored the 11 runs (the record is 13, set in 1999).

Starter Paul McKenna was the beneficiary of all the offense, as he went the 5-inning distance to record the win.  He allowed 3 runs (none earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 5.  Jered Ferencik took the loss for Brampton.  Offensively, Niagara collected 13 hits in this one, with Ricky Ferri and Jonathan Paul picking up 3 singles and an RBI, each.  Marshall McDougall doubled and singled, adding 2 RBI's, Jono Marcheterre added a 2-run double, and Chris Pickles an RBI-double.  Taylor Anderson and Anthony Vacca chipped in with a single and 2 RBI's each, while Tim Feren rounded out the offense with an RBI-single.  Vic Speciale hit a 2-run double for the 'Cats.

With the two wins, Niagara improves to 7-1 on the season, good for 1st place in the C.O.M.B.L., while the 'Cats drop to 2-3-1.  The Metros get a couple of days off from their busy schedule, before returning to action on Wednesday, as they travel to Burlington to take on the Brants at Nelson Park.  The next home game is on a very special day, next Saturday.  The team hosts their first-ever Niagara Metros' Kids Camp during the day, and then as part of an alumni day at the park, they take on the Erindale Cardinals in the evening.  The special starting time for the game is 6:00 PM, Erindale at Niagara...George Taylor Field.

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May 29                           Burlington - 9   Niagara - 6                            Record  7-2

The Niagara Metros came out flat last night, and the Burlington Brants took full advantage, as they downed the visitors 9-6, at Nelson Park in Burlington.  In so doing, they also snapped the Metros' 6-game winning streak.  The Brants were full value for the win, as they outhit Niagara 10-9, and got some big outs with runners in scoring position, to quell a number of Niagara threats.  In the well-played game (one error for each team), Burlington took a 2-0 lead in the 1st and held their 2-run lead until the top of the 7th, when the Metros broke through to tie it up at 5-5.  But the Brants answered back with 3 in the bottom half of the inning, and the teams then exchanged runs in the 8th...making the final 9-6, Brants.

Winning pitcher C.J. Cabrero held the Metros in check through his 5 innings, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits.  Metros' starter Brian Kusey had an up and down performance during his 6 inning stint for Niagara.  He gave up 5 runs on 6 hits, walking 6 and striking out 3.  Noah Anderson came in with the score tied, and gave up 3 runs, to take his 2nd loss of the season (he's now 1-2).  Anderson allowed 2 hits (including a towering home run by Cavin Bratton) and 2 walks, before being relieved by Chris Magarian.  "Mags" gave up an unearned run on a hit and a walk, while striking out 3.

In addition to Bratton's HR, the Brants got 3 hits, including a double, from Darryl Pierce to lead the Burlington attack.  The Metros got two hits from Marshall McDougall, while Andrew Sorochan clubbed a solo HR in the 6th.  Chris Pickles hit a big 2-run double that temporarily tied the game in the 7th, while Ricky Ferri and Jono Marcheterre chipped in with a single and an RBI each.  Taylor Anderson, Anthony Vacca and Jonathan Paul rounded out the offense with singles.

The win improves Burlington's record to 2-6, while as mentioned, Niagara had their 6-game win streak stopped...dropping them to 7-2 on the season.  Next up for the Metros is a big day at the park on Saturday, as they eagerly host their first-ever "Kids Camp", beginning at 9:00 AM.  The team will be out in full force to put the youngsters through their paces, and teach them some of the finer points of the game.  Then later in the evening, the Metros take the field themselves, as they play the Erindale Cardinals in a special start time...6:00 PM.  That's this Saturday, 6:00 PM at George Taylor Field.

By the way, it's not too late to enter your kids in the festivities on Saturday.  Just click on the "Kids Camp" link to the left of this page for all the info.

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June 1                             Erindale - 5   Niagara - 4                               Record  7-3

The Niagara Metros' day was for the most part a very good one...but it finished on a bit of a downer.  The threatening rains held off long enough to see the completion of the team's first ever "Youth Camp", and a great day was had by all.  It was hard to tell which group had more fun...the Metros' coaches/players, or the 30 or so youngsters that took part in the very successful first annual event.  Unfortunately, there was not enough gas left in the tank, as the players took the field again in the evening, to take on the always tough Erindale Cardinals.  In the end, the Metros' rally came up one run short, as the Cardinals won the game 5-4.  It was Niagara's second loss in a row, after winning 6 straight in May.

Erindale got on the board with 2 in the first and added a run in each of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings, while Niagara responded with runs in the 2nd and 3rd.  With the Cards leading 5-2, the Metros got a pair of runs in the 5th to narrow the gap to 5-4.  And although they had chances to tie the game in the later innings, there was no more scoring.  Zac Laurin went 5 to pick up the win for Erindale, but it was Dan Estey who tossed 4 scoreless innings to preserve the win and pick up a well-earned save.  Metros' starter Geoff Strong got off to a bit of a rough start, but sorted things out as he went along, and finished with a pretty decent outing.  Strong went 7 innings, and allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits and 5 walks.  He struck out 6.  Justin Ayles pitched the final 2 frames and held the powerful Cardinals offense off the board, allowing just one walk, and striking out 2.

Aneil Birsa and Aaron Palmer led the Cardinals at the plate with a pair of singles each.  The Metros, who out-hit Erindale 9-7, got two singles each from Evan Baglieri, Dave Davidson, Jono Marcheterre, and Andrew Sorochan, while Anthony Vacca rounded out the offense with a single.  Baglieri, Marcheterre, Sorochan and Jonathan Paul collected the RBI's.  

The win improves Erindale's record to 3-5-1, while Niagara drops to 7-3...still good for a two-point overall league lead.  The Metros now have a week off to prepare for their first out of town tournament of the season...the Strathroy Invitational.  Niagara, who won the event in 2011, received a first-round bye and will play their first game at 11:30 am next Saturday.  The next Central Ontario Major Baseball league home game for the Metros is Thursday, June 13, as the Oakville A's come to town.  First pitch at George Taylor Field is 7:30.

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June 8                        Niagara - 12   Merritton - 0                    Strathroy Tourney 

The Niagara Metros went to the Strathroy Tournament this past weekend, and although they didn't win the event, they did get to play 4 games against very good competition, and saw some good pitching in a tourney-style setting.  The team won their first two games, before dropping their last two...losing in the semi-finals to eventual tournament champions, the Oakville A's.  In all, Niagara got some great pitching and even better defense in the tourney, but the offense (which had been the team's strength in C.O.M.B.L. play) sputtered against the solid pitching they faced.  Niagara made just 2 errors in the four games, while the pitchers compiled a solid 3.53 ERA.  But after exploding for 12 runs in the opening game, Niagara managed just 8 runs over the final 3 games, and finished with a .259 BA as a team.

Game one versus the Merritton Alliance will be a memorable one for everyone...but especially for Metros' starting pitcher Geoff Strong.  Strong tossed a no-hitter, allowing just one runner to reach base (on an error), in Niagara's 12-0 victory.  The 25-year old righthander was dominating from the start, as he not only gave up no hits or runs...he also did not walk a batter, while striking out 7.  He did get some help from his defense however, as SS Marshall McDougall left his feet and took a sure hit away from Merritton's Adam Campisano, on a flare behind 3rd base to end the 2nd inning.  It was the Metros' first no-hitter since Brady Kramar turned the trick in June of 1995...some 18 years ago.

Overshadowed by Strong's mound exploits was the offensive display by Evan Baglieri.  The 4th-year Catcher/Infielder homered twice (including a Grand Slam), and added a double and a single, to drive in 6 runs in the game.  The slam was the 7th of his career, tying Frank Keltos' Metros' All-time team record.  In addition to Baglieri's 4 hits, Niagara got two from Ricky Ferri, while Kamil Oubayan hit a 2-run double.  Taylor Anderson, Anthony Vacca, Dave Davidson, and Jonathan Paul added RBI-singles.

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June 8                         Niagara - 5   Strathroy - 1                    Strathroy Tourney

 In game 2, the Metros sent Paul McKenna to the hill to take on the powerful host team, the Strathroy Royals.  And McKenna responded with an absolute gem of his own, as he tossed a complete-game 3-hitter, leading Niagara to a 5-1 win.  McKenna, like Strong, was in total control...going 7-innings and allowing a run on 3 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6.  Royal's starter Geoff Mann went 5 innings to take the loss.  Niagara trailed 1-0 going into the 5th, but put up a 4-spot to take control, before adding a 6th inning run to make the final 5-1.

Niagara managed just 7 hits in this one, with Chris Pickles collecting 4 of them.  In the first 4-hit game of his career, the 22-year old 3rd baseman added an RBI, and made three remarkable plays on defense.  Evan Baglieri and Dave Davidson chipped in with RBI-singles, while Taylor Anderson rounded out the offense with a single.  Jonathan Paul added the other RBI.

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June 8                         Strathroy - 5   Niagara - 0                     Strathroy Tourney

 In a strange quirk in the schedule, the Metros had to play their third consecutive game, and second straight against the Strathroy club, in game 3.  And this time the tables were turned, as it was Royals' starter Tyler Annett's turn to shine.  Annett went the distance and shut out the Metros on just 4 hits, as Strathroy won the game 5-0.  Metros' starter Brian Kusey took the loss, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing 3 runs on 8 hits.  He walked 5 and struck out 2.  Brandon Beattie tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief, and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 2.

Strathroy's 3-hitter (and Brock Badger) Cam Graham led the way at the plate for the Royals with 3 hits and an RBI.  The Metros got singles from Taylor Anderson, Evan Baglieri, Dave Davidson, and Jono Marcheterre.

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June 9                          Oakville - 5   Niagara - 3                      Strathroy Tourney 

 With Niagara advancing to the semi-finals on the strength of a 2-1 record, they had to face their league-mates the Oakville A's, as the host team drew the bye to the finals.  And in a very well-played and exciting game, the A's emerged with a 5-3 victory.  It was too much Josh Spagnoletti and Jeff Jarockis for the Metros, as the A's duo made it very tough for Niagara to emerge victorious.  Pitching for the 2nd time on the weekend, Spagnoletti went the distance on the mound, and gave up 3 runs and 6 hits, while striking out 5.  Meanwhile, Jarockis clubbed 2 solo HR's and added a double to set up a 2-run 7th, to lead Oakville offensively.

Starting pitcher Dan Veres took the loss for the Metros, although he kept his team in the game with a solid effort.  Veres went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 3.  Justin Ayles pitched the final inning and allowed a run on 2 hits, striking out 1.  Dave Davidson led Niagara at the plate in this one, with a pair of singles and an RBI, while Ricky Ferri hit a 2-run double.  Jono Marcheterre added a double, while Taylor Anderson and Anthony Vacca chipped in with singles.

As mentioned, Oakville went on to defeat Strathroy in the tourney finals, with a 6-5 extra-inning victory.  The Metros would like to congratulate Oakville on their great weekend in Royal-town.  The Niagara club gets right back at it on Wednesday, as they travel to Milton to take on the Red Sox.  The next home game sees the very same Oakville A's come to George Taylor field this Thursday, to face Niagara in a re-match.  First pitch in that one is 7:30.

June 12                              Niagara - 7   Milton - 4                               Record  8-3

 The Niagara Metros got 3 home runs and scored 5 times in the last 2 innings, as they rallied to beat the Milton Red Sox 7-4 in Milton on Wednesday.  Jonathan Paul did most of the damage, as he hit two of the shots, while Dave Davidson hit a tape-measure blast of his own.  The two-inning barrage turned around a very close low-scoring game, that stood 1-1 after 5 innings.  The Sox got a couple in the 6th to take a 3-1 lead, and Niagara scored a single in the 7th, to set up the late-inning Metros' comeback.  The very well-played game featured some solid pitching, and at least 4 "highlight reel" plays on defense.

As mentioned, Sox-killer Jonathan Paul was at it again, collecting a pair of HR's (giving him 3 on the year) and 3 RBI's, while Davidson's HR gave him 2 RBI's on the night.  Anthony Vacca tripled and singled, while Taylor Anderson added a double and a single, and Ricky Ferri singled twice.  Evan Baglieri (RBI), Kamil Oubayan (RBI), and Andrew Sorochan rounded out the offense with hits.  Adam Phong singled twice to lead the Sox, as Niagara outhit Milton 12-8.

Chris Magarian, the third Metros pitcher, picked up his first win of the year in relief of starter Justin Ayles.  Making his first start of the season (after 7 relief outings) Ayles went 5 innings and allowed a run on 3 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 5.  Lukas Burch pitched the 6th inning and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks, striking out 1.  Magarian pitched the final 3 frames, and gave up a run on 4 hits.  He walked none and struck out 2.  The losing pitcher was Scott McTrach, in relief of newcomer Justin Volpato, who tossed 7 good innings.  There were just 2 errors in the game (one for each team).

The win for Niagara improves their Johnson Division lead over Milton to 4 1/2 games, as they go to 8-3, while the Sox fall to 4-8.  The Metros, however, were unable to gain any ground on first place overall Mississauga, who defeated Burlington last night as well, to move to 9-2.  Next up (weather permitting) is a home game this evening, as the Oakville A's supply the opposition at George Taylor Field.  Game time is set for 7:30.

June 17                          Niagara - 16   Erindale - 10                           Record  9-3

"The wind was blowing out at Ninth Line Park".  That sentence has terrorized pitchers in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League for 25 years.  And last night was no different, as the Niagara Metros and Erindale Cardinals got into a slugfest...with the Metros emerging on top, 16-10.  There were 6 HR's hit in the game (3 for each team) and 27 hits in total (16 for Niagara and 11 for the Cardinals).  Actually, the game was a low-scoring well-played affair through 7 innings, with Erindale having built a 6-4 lead.  However, in the top of the 8th Niagara batted around and plated 8 runs, to take a 12-6 lead...only to see the Cards bat around in the bottom of the 8th, narrowing the gap to 12-10.  But the Metros liked what they did in the 8th so much, they batted around again in the 9th to score 4 more, and make the final 16-10.

The Metros got a big night from Evan Baglieri, as he collected a single, 2 doubles, and a 3-run HR to drive in 7 of the team's runs.  Taylor Anderson had a nice night as well, hitting a home run and a single, scoring 4 times.  Marshall McDougall added 3 hits, and Ricky Ferri 2, while Jonathan Paul hit his 3rd HR in the last 2 games.  Dave Davidson chipped in with an RBI-double, while Jono Marcheterre also doubled.  Kamil Oubayan and Anthony Vacca rounded out the offense with singles, as every player in Niagara's starting lineup got a hit.  The Cardinals got a big game from veteran slugger Geoff Cullen, as he banged out two 3-run HR's, accounting for 6 RBI's.  

The winning pitcher was Brandon Beattie, the 2nd of 3 Metros pitchers on the night.  He improved to 4-0 on the year, while closer Justin Ayles picked up his 4th save.  Starter Brian Kusey went 7 1/3 innings and allowed 6 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits, walking 5 and striking out 7.  Beattie got the Metros out of a bases-loaded jam in the 7th, but then got touched for 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in the 8th, before giving way to Ayles.  Justin shut down the Cards over his 1 2/3 innings, allowing just a walk, while striking out 4.  Dan Estey, the 4th and final pitcher for Erindale, took the loss.

The win improves Niagara's record to 9-3 on the season, and puts them back into a tie for the overall league lead with Mississauga (9-2) and Etobicoke (9-5).  The Cardinals drop to 4-8-1 with the loss.  Niagara returns home this Thursday evening, as the Burlington Brants come to George Taylor Field at Community Park.  First pitch is set for 7:30.   

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