Dodgers come up short in year-end tournament

August 11, 2017 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte
Baseball teams from across Southern Ontario converged on New Lowell over the long weekend, some for one last practice before the post-season, with others looking to get on the diamond for one final time.
The AA Bolton Dodgers of the North Dufferin Baseball League were part of the latter group, having missed the playoffs for the first time in three years after posting an 8-20-0 record in the regular season.
It was Bolton that drew first blood in an offensive-heavy opening game against the Welland Chiefs of the Niagara District League Saturday, taking an early lead in a back-and-forth contest.
A pair of runs late in the game secured Bolton an 8-7 victory.
Meeting with the Niagara Falls Expos later in the afternoon, Bolton fell by the wayside 7-3 to allow the Expos to advance to Sunday’s championship game.
The host Knights, winners of the NDBL’s regular season race, took home the championship with a win over the Expos, bringing the mercy rule into effect in a four-run sixth inning for a final score of 9-2.
It was the second-straight year the Knights won their home tournament.
Welland dropped a tight consolation match to the Clearview Orioles, with Clearview cashing the only run of the game in the sixth inning.
Meanwhile, the playoff schedule has been set for the NDBL following a league meeting late last week, with the first round kicking off Wednesday after press time.
The Bolton Brewers, who finished second in the league standings, opened up against the Midland Indians in Innisfil and will move to Midland tonight (Thursday) for game two.
First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.
Game three will go Sunday in Lisle, game four Tuesday back in Midland, game five Wednesday in Innisfil, and in the case of a tie, a sixth and deciding game will go Thursday in Midland.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.ndbl.ca