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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-08-16, Page 12THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Fury Page 14 Golf Page 13 por Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Express swept out EXETER — The Exeter Express bowed out of the playoffs in three straight on Sunday with a 13-12 loss in Tillsonburg Tillsonburg 1 versus Exeter 0 How did they do it? The Tillsonburg Red Sox defeated the Express 1-0 in a game the Express could easily have won. It was a pitcher's duel between Tillsonburg's Ryan Balasz and Exeter's Derek Masse. Balasz allowed four hits and two walks while Masse pitched his best game of the season. He allowed one true hit, a ball lost in the lights and three walks The difference was that the Red Sox, with some luck, turned a walk and a high pop fly lost in the early evening sky into a run. The Express had four potential rallies stopped by a tough Tillsonburg defense and a ques- tionable call said team spokesper- son Joe Fulop. Two runners were called out on plays at home plate while two more were stranded at third base as the Express were unable to cap- italize on their chances. Tillsonburg's rally came in the fifth as the lead off hitter walked and scored on a triple. The Express, led by two doubles from Nick Regier and a double and single from Vic Oliveira had rallies snuffed in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh innings. Bobby Grant seemed to have scored the go ahead run in the fourth but was called out. Dan Masse was involved in a sev- enth inning collision where the Red Sox made two perfect throws to get him as he tried to score from first on an Oliveira double. Tillsonburg 7 versus Exeter 4. This was the final score of the second game in the best of five playoff series. It is seldom that one praises a loss but in this case it is necessary said team spokesperson Joe Fulop. The team had a shortage of play- ers at game time and Cory Burtch, who has a small broken bone in his ankle, insisted on playing to avoid a forfeit. Nate Burns pulled up lame in the first firming but carried on as well as he could for the rest of the game. Scott Kemp took on the starting pitching assignment despite having a sore shoulder when designated starter Jason Cox was held up in traffic and missed the first two innings of the game. The Express rallied for two runs in the first on hits by Aaron Patterson, Grant and Justin Hayter. Kemp, with little time to warm up as an emergency starting pitch- er, was rocked for five runs in the first inning, including a three -run homer. He hung in for three more innings allowing a total of one earned run. The Express rallied for two rims in the fourth with keys hits coming from Hayter and Oliveira. They stranded baserunners in both the sixth and seventh innings. Dan Masse relieved for the last two innings allowing one unearned run. It was his most impressive per- formance in a few pitching starts as he threw the ball hard - hope- fully a good sign for the OBA play- offs said Fulop. The hitting star of the game was Grant, who hit three rockets to the outfield, two of which were dou- bles, with the third leading to a circus catch by the outfielder. Hayter took over the cleanup position for the night with two solid hits while Oliveira had a run scoring double. Other hits came from Patterson, Dan Masse and Kemp. Tillsonburg 13 versus Exeter 12 There can be no excuses made for the final results said Fulop who added for the first time in many games the full squad was avail- able. The Express hitters pounded out 18 hits compared to eight for their opponents and had a 12-5 lead in the sixth inning of play. However, their defence on this day was atrocious with five errors leading to 10 unearned rims. The pitchers also gave up 12 walks which didn't help the cause, according to Fulop. The Express jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Patterson tripled and scored on a grounder. Tillsonburg rallied for two runs in the third off starter Curtis Meyers. He allowed only two hits over three innings of work but also walked six batters and was replaced by Jason Cox. Exeter rallied for four runs in the fourth led by hits from the bats of Regier, Hayter, Oliveira and Patterson. Cox had problems with Tillsonburg in the fourth as they came back with three runs to tie the game. The Express broke loose for seven runs in the fifth. The rally was keyed by two hits from Burns with one each from Patterson, Bobby Grant, Regier, Hayter, Oliveira, Dan Masse and Marty Merner. The game seemed to be in hand but then the roof caved in during the six inning as Cox was touched up for five runs. He was relieved by Burns who had not pitched for a long time. His stint lasted long enough to be charged with two runs. Staff ace Derek Masse relieved, giving up one walk which led to Tillsonburg's final run. He pitched on four days rest after throwing over 110 pitches on Friday and wasn't able to domi- nate as usual, said Fulop. The Express had Patterson on base in the seventh as well as Marty Merner as they led off the seventh with solid hits. The next three hitters were unable to move these runners any further and the game and series was lost. But there is determination to practice hard for the OBA tourna- ment coming on Labour day week- end in Wallaceburg said Fulop. SPORTS TIPS? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (5 1 9) 235-0766 E-mail: sports@southhuron.com Exeter Times -Advocate WK Seniors split games EXETER — The Exeter WK Seniors split a pair of games this week- end to close the regular season schedule. The first game had Byron travel- ling to Exeter Aug. 10 where the Seniors posted a 5- 1 win. Scott Russell got the win for Exeter pitching the com- plete game, allow- ing just one run on three hits and no walks. "It was a great game to watch," said manager Jeff Keller. "Scott just threw strikes and let the defence take control. When you don't walk anyone, and the defence is playing well, you win ball games. You don't need to over- power the offence." Exeter started the game offen- sively in the sec- ond inning when Mike Agnew reached base on an error, stole sec- ond, and was bat- ted in by Russell. Exeter scored another in the third when Jon Brand reached on a walk and was advanced by a double by Mike Seip and then scored on another RBI by Russell. Exeter blew it open in the fourth inning however, then Dave Gingerich, Agnew and Matt Johns all scored on a hit by Brand. Gingerich and Agnew both had singles of their own. That was all Exeter needed as Russell shut down the next six batters Exeter WK Senior Jon Brand tries to avid a rundown Aug. 10 in Exeter against Byron which ended in a 5-1 win for Exeter. (photo/Pat Bolen) for the win. Sunday night saw Exeter travelling up to Kincardine for their last regu- lar -season game. This time, it was Kincardine who jumped out to a quick lead, scoring five runs in the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead on starter Terry Hogg. "Terry threw well, Kincardine just hit the ball hard all night," said Keller. Hogg seemed to find his stride however in the fourth, fifth and sixth as he shut down the explosive Kincardine offence, allowing just one more run, and giving Exeter a chance to come back. Exeter's offence woke up in the fourth inning when Dave Russell led off with a single, followed by two more singles by Seip and Fred Gregus. Russell and Seip later scored on a single by Hogg, who later scored on a double by Matt Iredale. "We took advan- tage of some mis- takes that inning, but we also started hitting the ball hard." mentioned Keller. Exeter scored another in the top of the fifth to make it a 6-4 game. Exeter's come- back fizzled in the seventh however, after scoring one more run to lose the game 6-5. "I was very happy with the way the guys played tonight. We got behind a few runs early, but battled through it and almost came back to take the win. It was a real confidence booster for the team going into the champi- onship tournament in a couple of weeks. It will be nice having some rest before then." Mitchell and Exeter are hosting the eight -team tournament the weekend of the Aug. 25-27. The schedule has yet to be finalized, but Keller feels game one will include Exeter playing Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. at Alvin Willert Field. ®va*d•• lawn bowling Lawn Bowling Tournament: A men's pairs tournament was held Wednesday at the local lawn bowling club. Teams from Simcoe, London, Thamesford, Goderich, Mitchell, Seaforth, and Exeter were present. Top spot was captured by Ron Jones' London team with 3W45. Exeter's Peter McFalls and Jerry MacLean were also 3 game winners with a score of 43 for second. Third place went to Mick McFadden from London with high 2 game of 53+6. Fourth place with 2W44 was taken by the Exeter team of Jerry DeBoer and Tony Jones. Kevin Rumig of Goderich had 2W43+2 for fifth and Chuck Townsend, London Fairmont won the consolation prize with high 1 game win of 40. South Huron Minor Hockey REGISTRATION SAT., AUG. 19 - 9 to 1 1 a.m. SOUTH HURON REC CENTRE Check out our new website at southhuronminorhockey.ca Cash calendars will be available for players ANY QUESTIONS CALL: BRIAN HORNER 519-235-1398 OR ROB BRYSON 519-237-2658