Bolton Brewers finish atop North Dufferin standings, preparing for playoffs

Written By JAKE COURTEPATTE

A decisive final victory proved it is no coincidence that the Bolton Brewers finished at the top of the North Dufferin Baseball League standings.

The Brewers posted a season-high number of runs in their season finale over the weekend to wrap up the regular season title, besting the Midland Mariners by a score of 19 – 2.

Mike Wallace, the 2018 MVP, led the way with five hits to secure the regular season batting title, followed closely by his teammate Brett Chater, who had three runs of his own in the finale to go along with a trio of hits.

Andrew White was on the mound for all six innings for the Brewers, tossing a complete game while allowing seven hits complimented nicely by a zero in the walks column. He closes out the season as the top ace in the league, going a perfect 7 – 0 in his starts.

The win set up an exact tie with the Ivy Leafs at a record of 20-5-0 to close out the season, with Bolton squeaking out the regular season tiebreaker by posting five more runs. Ivy fell to the New Lowell Knights in their season finale, who after spending much of the season at the top of the leaderboard, ended up in third behind Bolton and Ivy.

The Brewers' crosstown rival Bolton Dodgers did not fare as well in their late-season charge for a playoff spot, coming up just three points shy of the Creemore Braves, who snuck in with the eighth and final position.

The Bolton squad dropped six of their final seven regular season games to drop in the standings, including three-straight over the weekend in a double-header with the Mariners and a single game with the Lisle Astros.

That sets up a date between the Brewers and the eighth-seeded Braves in the opening round of the postseason, a best-of-seven scenario with final schedules still to be set.

The two squads met just once in late July for a Saturday doubleheader, where Bolton took both games by a convincing margin.

Meanwhile a late-season suspension shook up the league's final standings: the Orangeville Giants were suspended from play in the final week of the season, vacating all points thanks to a second forfeited game on the year. The suspension is league policy.

As per yearly tradition, the league will take a short hiatus this weekend for the annual civic holiday tournament, hosted by the New Lowell Knights. Bolton kicks off the action on Saturday against a visiting team from Welland.

For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.ndbl.ca.