Kitchener, ON

 

Despite falling in the quarter final to the eventual champion Jarvis Travellers, the Niagara Snappers left K-Town with a sense of satisfaction as they were still standing when the Sunday playoffs began.  With the general consensus being that the Snappers would be hard pressed to advance, the Turtles came into the weekend with a clear goal in mind.  To be playing on Sunday. In a five team division where the Snappers were the lowest ranked team, Niagara ranked #20 in the latest ISC ranking did what they had to do to achieve the goal.   

 

With Legends boasting some of the best talent the game will find, Niagara was in tough in a division that included the ISC #1 ranked team, the host Kitchener Rivershark Twins, #3 Chicago/NY Dominicana, #6 Midland Explorers and the #19 Elmira Expos. 

 

Game 1

WP Scott Wagar LP Dan Martin
Wagar: 7 IP, 0R, 0ER, 3H, 10K, 3BB
Dan Martin: 3.2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 5K, 0BB
Mell Ross: 1.3 IP, 1R, 1ER, 2H, 2K, 1BB
Casey Halstead 2 IP

 

Niagara jumped out to an early lead in this one and never looked back. Wagar was at his best and the Snappers came through with some timely hits.

 

Game 2

#20 Niagara Snappers 0

Andy Jackson vs. Grant Patterson
WP: Grant Patterson, 5 IP, 0R, 0ER, 2H, 6K, 0BB
LP: Andy Jackson, 3 IP, 6R, 6ER, 6H, 3K, 1BB
Jason Paylove, 1 IP, 1R, 1ER, 2H, 0K, 1BB   

Pat Shannon 2-run home run in B1 and Kitchener adds 5 more runs after rain delay to cruise to 5 inning mercy.

 

 

Game 3

Scott Wagar vs Brian Urquhart

WP: Scott Wagar: 7 IP, 0R, 0ER, 5H, 2K, 0BB
LP: Brian Urquhart: 6 IP, 5R, 2ER, 7H, 6K, 1BB

 

Kevin Newhouse breaks game open with a 3 run HR in the bottom of the 4^th. Snappers would add 2 more in the 5^th for the 5-0 upset win.

 

 

NOTE: With a 2-1 record Niagara clinches a playoff spot regardless of game 4 outcome. Game #4 determines the all important 2^nd and 3^rd seeds and the cross over matchups.

 

 

Game 4

Jeremy Manley vs Andy Jackson

WP: Jeremy Manley: 7 IP, 1R, 1ER, 6H, 15K, 1BB
LP: Andy Jackson: 7 IP, 3R, 3ER, 6H, 6K, 2BB

 

Very close game to the end. With bases loaded in the bottom of the 7^th, Niagara’s Jackson hits a hard grounder toward SS that is kept in the infield for the final out of the game. Well pitched game on both ends.

 

 

Game 5 – Quarter Final

Rob O’Brien vs Scott Wagar

WP: Rob O’Brien – Trevor Either in relief

LP: Scott Wagar – Andy Jackson in relief

 

Too much too soon for the Snappers as the Travellers flexed their muscle and disposed of Niagara in a 5 inning mercy. The Jarvis bats were red hot and Niagara wasn’t able to generate allot after falling behind early.

 

With the positive Legends experience now in the books the Snappers move on with their schedule taking with them all the benefits this kind of tournament can provide. On behalf of the Niagara Snappers Fastball Club we would like to extend a sincere thank-you to Larry Lynch and his fantastic group of volunteers for putting on three great days of fastball. We really appreciated being included in this year’s event and hope to be back next year.

 

Take care,

 

Perry Bartley

Niagara Snappers