Angels, Rockies earn splits as race for first tightens

Wagner Lawn Care and Studabakers Beachside remain atop standings after Sunday doubleheaders

Wagner Lawn Care shortstop Devin Coombs throws from the cutoff as outfielder Peyton Nie looks on during Orillia slopitch action at Rama Veteran's Ballpark.

The race for first place in SportsKlub Baseball tightened Sunday morning at Rama Veteran's Ballpark as both scheduled doubleheaders resulted in points for all teams, leaving the Wagner Lawn Care Angles atop the standings but with the Studabakers Beachside Rockies still within striking distance entering Week 4.

The day featured plenty of offence, highlighted by a dramatic 17-17 draw between the Angels and NKD Deer Contracting Muskies, a monster performance from Jeff Carey, and a series split between the Rockies and the CMF Automotive Metropolitans.

The Angels entered the day with sole possession of first place and did nothing to relinquish its hold on the top spot. They opened the morning with a convincing 16-10 victory over the Muskies. Jeff Carey paced the offence with four hits and six RBIs, while Kauner Lehtonen collected four hits. Devin Coombs drove in three runs, Dylan Petroff added four RBIs, and Owen McCool crossed the plate three times as the Angels scored 16 runs on 22 hits.

The Muskies received strong performances from Jesse Bremner, who recorded three hits and three RBIs, while Iain Bass added a triple and drove in three runs.

NKD Deer Contracting third baseman J.J. Healy makes a throw to gun a runner out at home during SportsKlub Baseball action at Rama Veteran's Ballpark.

Game two delivered one of the most entertaining contests of the young season.

After the Angels built an early lead, the Muskies battled back repeatedly before the teams finished deadlocked in a 17-17 tie.

The Angels pounded out 24 hits, led by Oswell James and Peyton Nie with four hits each. Owen McCool collected three hits and three RBIs, while Devin Coombs scored four runs.

The Muskies answered with 25 hits of its own.

Jesse Bremner delivered perhaps the biggest offensive performance of the day, going 4-for-4 with six RBIs. Iain Bass collected three hits, Paul Laforet drove in two runs, and Robert Vella scored four times as the Muskies erased multiple deficits to earn the draw.

The split moved Angels move to 3-0-1 on the season, good for 7 points and first place in the standings. Meanwhile, the series between the Rockies and Mets produced a split of its own.

Studabakers Beachside leadoff batter Kylee Nixon makes solid contact during Orillia slopitch action at Rama Veteran's Ballpark.

The Rockies opened the day with an 11-8 victory. Austin Dyck delivered a huge offensive performance, driving in six runs on three hits. Sebastian Oliveria added two RBIs, while Percy Thomas and Paige Favel each chipped in a run batted in.

The Mets bounced back in game two with a 20-12 victory to salvage the split.

Tim Hillson collected four hits and scored three runs and Steve DePiero added four hits and three RBIs as CMF exploded for 30 hits.

CMF Automotive slugger Faith Bartley rips a hard ground ball to third base during Orillia softball action at Rama Veteran's Ballpark.

The Rockies were led by Mitchell Hurtubise, who went 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Shawn Thomas recorded four hits and two RBIs, while Percy Thomas added three RBIs in the defeat.

The Rockies sit in second at 3-1, while the Mets improved to 1-3. The Muskies remain in search of their first victory at 0-3-1.

The action resumes Sunday, June 14, at Tudhope Park for another slate of double headers. The Muskies and Rockies will meet at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., the Mets and Angels begin a two-game set of their own.

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