Game 1
Battersea Merchants 5 Napanee Express
Midgets 2
WP: Kurt Clark
LP: Jordan MacDonald
HR: Battersea - Devin Lake, 2 run
homerun
The Battersea Merchants weren’t about to let the National Midget Champions rest on their laurels. They scored in the first, third and 6th innings for the 5 - 2 win and a one game lead in the quarter final series.
The express mishandled the ball twice in the opening frame to help Battersea get the first run across. Brad Cashman singled to lead off the top of the third moved to second on a Greg Dixon sacrifice and scored on a Chris Switzer single. Devin Lake took MacDonald out of the park in the sixth for two more runs and Mike Tye scored on a Kevin Birtch single to cap a three run inning.
Kurt Clark picked up the win going the distance giving up seven hits walking one and striking out 11. Jordan MacDonald had a good game as well in the circle but didn't get the run support from his teammates who stranded men at second and third in both the sixth and seventh innings. MacDonald scattered 8 hits walked one and struck out 3.
Game two is Wednesday night in Battersea at 8:30 and Game three will go at the Fairgrounds Thursday night at 8:30. Game four will be back in Battersea Monday night and game five will be back in Napanee on Tuesday.
Game 2
Battersea Merchants 3 Napanee Express
Midgets 0
Mike Paul and the long ball give
Battersea a solid 2 game lead in this series. Mike Paul threw a little veteran
playoff action at the midgets and no hit them! Chris Switzer provided all the
run support Mike would need with a two run shot in the bottom of the fourth
scoring Greg Dixon who was already on the base's. The hot batter Derek Shaver
added another run with a solo shot also in the bottom of the fourth. Shaver went
three for three on the night.
Andy madden took the loss scattering seven hits walking one and striking out 2. Mike Paul gave up a walk and struck out 5. Game Three goes Thursday night at the fairgrounds in Napanee at 8:30, Game 4 will be back in Battersea Monday night at 8:30.
Game 3
Napanee Express Midgets 5 Battersea Merchants 2
The Express stay alive. Jordan MacDonald scattered 4 hits walked 3 and struck out 7 in a do or die situation. Chris Lewis went 2/3 and scored in the first and third innings to get things going. The Express men broke a 2 - 2 tie with 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth. Drew Chadwick doubled down the line and scored on a Kyle Mack double off the bottom of the fence. Nathan Moffat capped a 4 RBI night with another double cashing Mack and Craig McGarvey who had singled.
Devon lake went 2/3 for Battersea. Kurt
Clarke took the loss giving up 8 hits and striking out 9.
Action resumes Monday Night at
Battersea at 8:30 with the deciding fifth game back in Napanee Tuesday night at
8:30.
Game 4
Battersea Merchants 3 Napanee Express
Midgets 2 in Battersea
Battersea opened the scoring in
the bottom of the first inning when Chris Switzer delivered a two run homerun to
right field. Greg Dixon, who had reached base on a walk, scored on the hit.
Napanee closed the gap in the second inning when Brad Weese hit into a fielder's
choice that allowed Drew Chadwick to score from third. In the third inning
Napanee tied the game with a single run when Chris Lewis reached on a walk and
moved to third on a single by Ben Tee. On the play Tee was caught in a run down
between first and second, which allowed Lewis to score. In the bottom of the
third Battersea took the lead again on an RBI single by Devin Lake, that scored
Dixon from second. Battersea had runners in scoring position in the fourth and
fifth innings with no one out, but Napanee was able to keep Battersea from
extending the lead. In the top of the seventh with two outs Kyle Mack hit a
high fly ball to left field that was caught by Ryan Dixon for the final out of
the series at the fence.
WP: Mike Paul
LP: Andy Madden