Millgrove, ON
The Niagara Snappers captured their 6th tournament title of the year by beating the Toronto Celtics in the finals at the Inaugural 20 team Millgrove Oktoberfest Klassic tournament. The Snappers went 5-0 at the tournament to finish off their 2005 season with a 66-18 record and 9 consecutive victories.
In game 1, the Snappers faced the Simcoe Moose of the Erie Fastball League. The bats were on fire all night as the Snappers came away with a 13-2 5 inning mercy. Rob Fawcett picked up his first win of the tournament on the mound. Trevor Falk went 3-3 with a home run and 4 RBI’s to lead the Snappers at the plate. Jarrod Burtt and Mike Bateman chipped in with 3 RBI’s apiece.
Game 2 saw the Snappers facing the host Millgrove Smoke. In another offensive outburst, the Snappers came away with a 13-1 5 inning mercy. Byron Demoe pitched 4 scoreless innings to get the win. Rob Fawcett came in and allowed the lone run in the 5th before closing the door. Trevor Falk had a home run and 3 RBI’s for the Snappers and Alex Shotski hit a grand slam to seal the game early on.
Game 3 matched up the Snappers with the tough Kitchener Phoenix Outlaws. The game looked like it would be a blow-out right off the bat as the Snappers lead 9-0 after the 2nd inning, but the Phoenix stormed back and made it interesting, but in the end the Snappers came out on top 11-6. Byron Demoe pitched a scoreless 4 innings to earn the win, Jim Wilson pitched the 5th inning allowing 5 runs, Rob Fawcett shut the door in the 6th allowing a single run before the game was called on a time limit. Scott Young with 3 RBI’s paced the Snapper attack, Mike Bateman, Kevin Newhouse, and Matt Bedrosian had 2 RBI’s apiece. Kevin Newhouse and Matt Bedrosian both homered as well.
In the Semi-finals, the Snappers were facing the Oshweken Redmen with Mike Joseph on the mound. Joseph shut down the Snappers for 5 innings, striking out 10 batters along the way. In the bottom on the 6th inning, Peter Dobbin, capping off a 3-3 day, doubled to start the inning, Jarrod Burtt knocked him in to tie the game. Scott Young singled, and Mike Bateman came up and hit a 3 run home run to put the Snappers ahead 4-1. Rob Fawcett pitched all 7 innings earning the win while striking out 7. The win put the Snappers into the finals for a re-match with the Celtics whom the Snappers beat in the Niagara Falls Tournament at the beginning of August in the “A” finals.
The Snappers again got the offense started early by scoring 5 runs in the first 3 innings and then hung on for a 5-3 win. Scott Young was named game MVP for his 4 RBI night which included a 3 run home run. Rob Fawcett once again was solid on the mound going the distance while striking out 5 along the way to pick up his 3rd tournament victory.
A 2005 season in review will be compiled shortly and posted on the Snapper web site http://eteamz.active.com/niagarasnappers
Good Guys
Great Game
http://eteamz.active.com/niagarasnappers
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Dan Bernard
dan@autoexportcanada.com