: Snapper News: Snappers Roll a 6...Twice

The Niagara Snappers travelled up the QEW to Millgrove to take on the Waterdown Razorbacks and Waterdown Target in GHFL play.  With very hot, humid and buggy conditions, the Snappers prevailed in both games with identical 6-0 scores. 

Game #1 saw Jamie Simpson start on the mound for the Snappers and go the distance, striking out 12 batters along the way and scattering 4 hits to pick up his 4th GHFL win of the season.  The offense was led by the hot bat of Mike Bateman who went 3-3 and reached on a walk in his 4th at bat.  Trevor Falk blasted his 3rd GHFL home run of the season (9th overall), while Kevin Newhouse, Dan Bernard and Kres Andersen all chipped in with RBI's. 

Niagara's coach Jason Paylove got the start in game #2 and not only held the opposition scoreless while striking out 10 over 6 innings, but also contributed with the bat as he went 2-4.  Scott Young also did double duty, coming on in the 7th inning to pitch and striking out the side, while also blasting a solo home run, his 10th of the GHFL campaign (18th overall).  Dan Bernard and Mike Bateman picked up 2 hits apiece as well to help pace the offense.

The 2 wins leaves the Snappers sitting at 13-3-3, good enough for 1st place in the GHFL.  With only 3 regular season games remaining, the team have to continue to win in order to ensure that they lock up the top spot in the league prior to the GHFL tournament which takes place June 5-7 at Ker Park in Niagara Falls. 

Next action for Niagara will be Wednesday August 27th as they hit the road again to take on the Mississauga Arrows in Mississauga at 7pm.  The following day, Thursday August 28th, the team will wrap up their GHFL regular season play with a doubleheader at Lancaster Park in St. Catharines.  The first game starts at 6:30pm against the Niagara Dawgs and finishes with a game at 8:30pm against the Waterdown Hammer.  The Hammer are currently sitting in 2nd place, just percentage points behind Niagara for top spot in the league.  The Dawgs have a stranglehold on 3rd place in the league standings. 

Game #1

Niagara Snappers 6
Waterdown Razorbacks 0

WP:  Jamie Simpson (4-1-1) 7IP, 0R, 4H, 12K, 2BB
LP:  James Linde (0-4) 7IP, 6R, 6ER, 11H, 3K, 4BB

Snappers:  Mike Bateman 3-3 1RBI, Trevor Falk 1-3 HR(3rd) 1RBI, Kevin Newhouse 2-4 1RBI, Dan Bernard and Kres Andersen 1RBI each

Game #2

Niagara Snappers 6
Waterdown Target 0

WP:  Jason Paylove (4-2) 6IP, 0R, 5H, 10K, 0BB; in relief Scott Young 1IP, 0R, 3K, 1BB
LP:  Gord Scott (0-3-1) 5IP, 5R, 4ER, 6H, 5K, 0BB; in relief Rick Hames 2IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 3K, 0BB

Snappers:  Scott Young 1-4 HR(10th) 1RBI, Dan Bernard 2-3, Jason Paylove 2-4, Mike Bateman 2-4
Target:  Nick Moskal 3-3, Trevor Moses 2-3