: Snapper News: A Tale of 2 Snappers

The Niagara Snappers hooked up for a doubleheader with the Palermo Athletics in ISC Travel League play at Lancaster park with both teams coming away with a victory.  The first game of the evening was a fan's delight, with 21 runs scored and multiple lead changes over 6 innings, Palermo came away with an 11-10 victory.  Niagara pitchers Mike Bateman and Jamie Simpson had a long night as Palermo pounded out 9 hits and 2 home runs for the victory, both pitchers had their defense behind them let them down in key situations.  The offense was powered by clean up hitter Scott Young who belted his 12th home run of the season and chipped in with 4 RBI's to give him 35 on the season.  Glen Crocker greeted reliever Scott Wagar with a first pitch solo home run, Crocker's first home run as a Snapper, and Dean Carr muscled a ball over the fence for his first home run of the season.

Game #2 was a completley different affair as Niagara chipped away at Palermo starter Scott Wagar for a 5-0 victory.  The game was called after 5 innings due to time limitations. Niagara starting pitcher Byron Demoe was snapping the ball hard on the mound as he racked up 7 strikeouts over 4 innings of work and only allowed 2 Palermo hits.  Jason Paylove came in for 1 inning of relief.  Niagara was led by Scott Young and Mike Bateman who both blasted home runs, while Jim Bedard did it the hard way with an inside the park home run.  For Young it was his team leading 13th home run on the season, while Bateman's was his 3rd and Bedard got his 1st in a Niagara uniform.

Next action for the Snapper will be a doubleheader against St. Thomas to conclude the ISC Travel League portion of the schedule. The 2 games will begin at 7pm and be played on Wednesday July 23rd at Ker Park in Niagara Falls.  Both games will be 5 inning affairs. 

Palermo Athletics 11
Niagara Snappers 10
*6 innings

WP:  in relief Scott Wagar 2IP, 1R, 1ER< 1H, 2K, 0BB; starter Chris McColl 4IP, 9R, 8ER, 9H, 1K, 1BB
LP:  in relief Jamie Simpson 4IP, 6R< 4ER, 5H, 7K, 3BB; starter Mike Bateman2IP, 5R, 5ER, 4H, 0K, 2BB

Palermo:  Phil John 2-3 (1HR) 1RBI, Cyrill Nibbs 2-4 (1HR) 2RBI’s, Mike Welton 1-2 3RBI’s, Brian Prowse 1-3 2RBI’s
Niagara:  Scott Young 2-3 (1HR) 4RBI's, Dean Carr 1-3 (1HR) 2 RBI's, Glen Crocker 1-3 (1HR) 1RBI, Mike Bateman 3-3 2RBI's, Adam Dearborn 2-3

**Game turned into a slugfest right from the first batter, as Palermo leadoff hitter Phil John opened the scoring with a solo shot.  Game started late due to some field issues and took 2 hours to play 6 innings.  Fans were treated to a great offensive game with a lot of lead changes throughout.  Palermo strikes in the top of the 6th to score 2 runs and take the lead, Niagara couldn't answer in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Niagara Snappers 5
Palermo Athletics 0
*5 innings

WP:  Byron Demoe 4IP, 0R, 2H, 7K, 1BB; in relief Jason Paylove 1IP, 0R, 0H, 1K, 2BB
LP:  Scott Wagar 6IP, 5R, 5ER, 8H, 6K, 1BB

Niagara:  Scott Young 1-3 (1HR) 2RBI's, Mike Bateman 1-3 (1HR) 1RBI's, Jim Bedard 1-3 (1HR, inside the park) 1RBI, Perry Bartley 1-3 1RBI, Dean Carr 2-2
Palermo:  Jim Wilson 1-2, Phil John 1-3

**Niagara pitcher Byron Demoe was virtually unhittable in his 4 innings of work while Niagara's offense chipped away at Wagar.  Niagara used the long ball to score most of their runs.  Due to the games running behind schedule, only 5 innings were able to be completed.