Knights claim Strother Cup in Game 7 thriller

The New Lowell Knights are North Dufferin Baseball League champions after edging the Owen Sound Baysox 5-4 in a dramatic Game 7 on Sept. 27, capping off a fiercely contested series.

Owen Sound, last year’s league champions, came into the final with momentum, but the Knights proved resilient. The two teams were separated by just one point in the regular season standings and traded wins throughout the final series. Owen Sound took the first two games, New Lowell responded with two of their own, and each team claimed a victory to force the decisive seventh game.

After a scoreless first inning, New Lowell struck first, scoring twice in the second. Owen Sound answered with a run in the third, but the Knights extended their lead with three more runs in the fourth to go up 5-1.

The Baysox rallied in the sixth when Steve Barrett hit a three-run homer over the centre-field fence, narrowing the gap to one. Owen Sound threatened again in the seventh when Ryan Bartley laid down a bunt, but Ryan McNeill was tagged out at home trying to score the tying run. With two outs, Greg Slater stepped up but struck out, sealing the win for New Lowell.

Adam Shaver led the Baysox offence with three singles. McNeill and Kevin Zettler each added two, while Robert Doyle, Bryan Post, and Nick Van Wyck chipped in singles. Barrett’s late-inning home run was a pivotal moment in the Baysox comeback attempt.

Chris Greer paced the Knights with a triple and a single. Tanner Zeggil and Jake Nicholson each had two singles, while Tristan Cabral and Steve Bowman added one apiece.

Owen Sound leaned on power throughout the series, hitting a total of nine home runs. New Lowell countered with small ball tactics – bunting and clutch hitting to move runners and manufacture runs.

Baysox starter Nate Kramer pitched five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking four, hitting one batter, and striking out two. Bartley pitched a clean sixth in relief.

Knights starter Brandon Norrie, who later was named playoff MVP, threw 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits, walking two, and striking out three. Young pitcher Nic Guthrie closed out the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out one.

After the game, league secretary and convenor Scott Anderson praised both teams for a hard-fought series and thrilling finale. He presented the Strother Cup to Chris Rettie, Kurt Roy, and coach Pete Kinghan of the Knights.

David Anderson photos: The New Lowell Knights won the North Dufferin Baseball League championship Sept. 27. Pictured are, back row, from left: Zakery Hayward, Kurt Roy, coach Pete Kinghan, Steve Bowman, Sean Connor, Dale Lightheart, Nic Guthrie, Chris Rettie, Chris Esson, Jesse McIntyre. Front row, from left: Brandon Norrie, Brett Elliott, Tristan Cabral, Mack Morrish, Chris Greer, Nick Hodgson, Jake Nicholson, Tanner Zeggil, and Todd VanLieshout.