Knights lead championship
The New Lowell Knights have taken a 2-1 series lead in the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series after a 15-1 victory over the Orangeville Giants on Sunday.
Only one game of the senior division championship series was played on the weekend after the New Lowell diamond was unplayable for the scheduled Saturday game due to rainy weather.
Sunday’s contest was a one-sided affair with the Knights scoring five runs in the first inning, including a three-run home run from Todd Gowan. Another run was added in the second, two in the third, and three in the fourth.
In the fifth frame Todd Patton brought three runs home on a shot that cleared the right-centre fence and the Knights added one more run in the sixth.
Orangeville scored their only run in the first inning.
The Knights pounded out 18 hits in the mercy ending six-inning game. In addition to the homeruns from Gowan and Patton; Chris Greer, Sean Thompson, Sean Connor all doubled in the game.
Singles went to Greer, Gowan, Connor, Trevor Martin, Allan Brownridge and two each from Thompson, Brandon Norrie, Dan Holwell, and Steve Baldry.
Orangeville managed three hits including a double by Derek Gordon and singles from Drew Huerter and Matt Drury.
Baldry pitched all six innings for the Knights, allowing one run on three hits, walking two and hitting one batter. He recorded nine strikeouts.
The Giants used three pitchers during the contest including starter Nick Hodgson who allowed eight runs on 11 hits, walked two and struck out two over his three innings.
Jesse Edmunds pitched the fourth inning giving up three runs on three hits and striking out one Knight.
Gordon finished the game allowing four runs on four hits, walking four and fanning one.
Game four will be played Saturday in New Lowell at 1 p.m. with game five in Orangeville on Sunday at 2 p.m. If a game six and seven are required, both games will be played in New Lowell on Sept. 24 and 25.
David Anderson photo: Kevin Buck of the Orangeville Giants slides into second base before the tag from Sean Connor of the New Lowell Knights during game three of the NDBL championship series Sept. 11, 2016.
