Owen Sound and Ivy to meet for the Strother Cup

September 4, 2024

A new champion will be crowned this year in the North Dufferin Baseball League as the Owen Sound Baysox and Ivy Rangers prepare to meet in the championship series.

The two teams advanced to the final round after defeating the Bolton Brewers and New Lowell Knights, both long standing powerhouse and perennial championship teams.

Ivy eliminated Bolton in semi-final action, winning Game 2 10-0, along with Games 4 and 5 by close scores of 6-5. Bolton won Game 1, 2-1 and Game 3, 11-1.

A rare Game 6 was needed in the Owen Sound and New Lowell series. The game was played Monday with the Baysox prevailing over the Knights 12-0.

Owen Sound picked up wins in the first game 7-2, and the fourth game 7-1. The Knights won Game 2, 5-4 and Game 3, 14-6. The Game 5 matchup resulted in a tie 3-3 at the end of play which set up the Game 6.

The Brewers defeat knocked them out of what would have been their seventh straight championship series. The Knights appeared in the finals the last four seasons and were back-to- back defending champions.

This is the first championship appearance for the Ivy squad since entering the loop in 2017 under the moniker Rangers. The Rangers last won the title in 1975 although the 2018 victory for the Ivy Leafs was the most recent win for the community.

This is also the first appearance for the young Owen Sound team since joining the league in 2022.

The championship series will begin on Saturday (Sept. 7) with an 8 p.m. game in Owen Sound, followed by a game on Sunday (Sept. 8) in Ivy at 4 p.m.

With the series being played on weekends, Ivy will travel to Owen Sound for Games 3 and 4 on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. Ivy will host the next two games if needed on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 with start times of 2 p.m. Game 7, if required, is set for Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. in Owen Sound.