Strother Cup series a close affair

Brett Barwick of the Bolton Brewers slides into second base before the ball reaches Ivy Leafs' shortstop Brett Scott during Game 4 of the North Dufferin Baseball League championship series on Sept. 16, 2018. (David Anderson Photo)

September 17, 2018

The North Dufferin Baseball League championship series between the Ivy Leafs and the Bolton Brewers remains tied after Games 3 and 4 were played over the weekend.

Before entering the weekend, both teams had taken a game a-piece in the best-of-seven finals.

Game 3 played on Saturday in Ivy ended with a 5-4 win for Ivy.

Bolton scored in the first inning and plated two more in the second.

The Leafs got on the scoreboard in the second inning scoring five runs.

Bolton plated one more run in the third.

Recording hits for the Brewers were Mike Wallace, John Hutchinson and Brett Barwick. Brett Chater, Keegan Murphey, Brendan Lyons and Shawn Chalmers hit two singles while Chris Fafalios hit a double.

Brett Scott, Kevin Dumond, and Steve Bowman hit singles for the Leafs with Tyler Plumpton hitting a double and Brett Elliott hitting a homerun.

Brad Grieveson was on the mound for Ivy and gave up four runs on 12 hits, walked three batters and struck out ten for the win.

Nick Pettinaro started for the Brewers and pitched two innings. He allowed five runs on five hits, walked two batters and recorded five strikeouts.

Alex Pagila pitched the remaining four innings allowing no runs, no hits, walking two batters and striking out two Leafs.

Game 4 was played in Bolton on Sunday and ended with a 10-5 win for the Brewers.

Bolton was first to get on the scoresheet scoring one run in the first inning. Ivy answered back with two runs of their own in the third inning to take the lead which was short-lived when the Brewers scored three more in the bottom of the third to reclaim the lead.

Ivy mustered another two runs in the fourth frame but was quickly out hit with Bolton scoring five more in the fourth frame. Each team plated one run in the sixth inning.

Elliott, Dan Forrester, and Kael Racioppa singled for Ivy. Walker Ferri hit a double. Scott and Craig Speers each hit a single and double and Josh Henson hit a single and two doubles on the losing side.

Bolton recorded 16 hits with Hutchinson and Carter Burnside hitting singles. Chalmers and Chater hit two singles each while Daniel Accardo and Brett Barwick hit a single and double. Fafalios chipped in with three singles and Stephen Warden hit two singles and a three-run homer.

Trent Barwick pitched all seven innings for Bolton. He allowed five runs on 11 hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Steve Harrison started on the mound for the Leafs. Over 3 2/3 innings he allowed nine runs on 13 hits, walked one and struck out two Brewers.

Phil Tan pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up one run, on three hits, walking one batter and striking out one.

The series continues in Ivy on Saturday at 2 p.m. followed by Game 6 in Bolton on Sunday at 3 p.m.