Niagara Falls, ON
Wednesday September 13, 2006
The Niagara Snappers wrapped up their 2006 season on a positive note by
winning the GHFL tournament for the second year in a row. The Snappers did
it the hard way after losing their 2nd game of the tournament, they had to
play a schedule of 5 games within a 12 hour span on Sunday including 2 games
in the finals against the Niagara Falls Fury who had handed the Snappers
their first loss.
Game #1 pitted the Snappers against ISC II commissioner Blair Setford's
Mississauga Arrows. The Arrows with the likes of Drew Hathaway and Jeff
Wilson on the mound are always a dangerous opponent that can shut down the
other team at any given time. This time around, the Snappers came away with
a 5-0 victory. Mike Bateman pitched 4 innings striking out 7 along the way
and Dan Duemo came in for the final 3 innings to pick up the save as he
struck out 5. Trevor Falk blasted his 25th home run of the season to pace
the offense.
The Snappers then moved on to face the Niagara Falls Fury. The Fury and
Snappers have waged several battles throughout the year as a strong rivalry
has grown. Scott Wagar who was recently named Top Pitcher at the Senior
Canadians for the Jarvis Merchants took to the mound for the Fury and held
the Snappers bat in check throughout the game as the Fury prevailed 8-4.
Dan Duemo took the loss with Jason Paylove coming on in relief. Trevor
Falk, with his 26th, and Scott Young, with his 18th, both hit home runs for
the Snappers.
Relegated to the loser's side of the bracket, the Snappers took to the field
at 9am on Sunday morning and faced the St. Catharine's RHCP. Coach Paylove
knowing that it was going to take 5 games to win the tournament, and with
only 11 players on the bench, started little used Scott Young. Young
answered by throwing 6 innings of 1-hit ball as the Snappers got by the RHCP
2-1. Young struck out 8 along the way. Mike Bateman pitched the final
frame to notch the save. Todd Dawdy had the game winning RBI with is 6th
home run of the season, a solo shot in the 3rd inning.
The Hamilton Hawks were up next and the Snappers came out strong scoring 3
runs in the 3rd inning en-route to a 5-1 win. Mike Bateman threw 5 innings
of shut-out ball and Dan Duemo came on in the 6th to pick up the save.
Scott Young hit his 19th home run of the season, a 3-run shot that put the
Snappers up to stay.
The Snappers took on the Waterdown Hammer who had just lost to the Niagara
Falls Fury in the undefeated game. A win in the game would send either team
back to the face the Fury in the finals. No scoring until the 4th inning
when the Hammer opened up a 1-0 lead. The Snappers answered back in the
bottom of the 4th with 2 of their own and that was how the score would stay
as the Snappers earned their shot in the finals with a 2-1 victory over a
very tough and very short handed Hammer team. Dan Duemo pitched 6 innings
striking out 8 along the way and Mike Bateman pitched the final frame for
the save. Perry Bartley and Alex Shotski had a RBI apiece for the Snappers.
In the finals, surprise Fury starter Richard Vassos held the Snappers
offense in check most of the game, giving up only 3 runs in 5 innings before
being relieved by Wagar, but the Fury bats were silent as the Snappers
forced the "if" game by virtue of a 3-1 win. Mike Bateman threw 5 innings
of shut-out ball and Dan Duemo once again came in for the save, pitching 2
innings and striking out 5. Trevor Falk, Jarrod Burtt, and Todd Dawdy had
RBI's for the Snappers.
Playing their 5th game in 12 hours, the Snappers beat the Fury 3-2 in an
exciting final to win the GHFL Championship. Dan Duemo went the distance
for the Snappers striking out 11 along the way, while Scott Wagar pitched
well in the loss as he had 8 strike-outs of his own. The Snappers got RBI's
from Jarrod Burtt, Kevin Newhouse (who had the game winning RBI on a solo
home-run) and Alex Shotski.
Congratulations go out to the Niagara Falls Fury for their play over the
weekend. The Snappers would also like to wish departing GHFL president
Blair Setford the best of luck in his future endeavors. Blair was
instrumental in putting the GHFL together 4 years ago and has steadily grown
the league in that time. Dan Duemo was named the Gord Newman award winner
as the GHFL playoff MVP for the 2nd year in a row. Trevor Falk also
captured some hardware as earlier in the tournament he was named the 2006
regular season MVP. Not to be outdone, Mike Bateman threw a total of 17
scoreless innings with 17 strike-outs during the weekend in picking up 3
wins and 2 saves.
The Snappers finish the season with a record of 35 wins 7 losses and 4 ties
in ISC II play.
Dan Bernard
Niagara Snappers
www.niagarasnappers.com
dan@autoexportcanada.com Guys, Great Game
Good
