Three NDBL teams OBA finalists

September 2, 2014

New Lowell Knights, Clearview Orioles and Bolton Dodgers were finalists in their respective playoff tournaments this past weekend.

The Knights lost 6-2 to Exeter at the "AA" tournament while the Orioles lost 9-2 to Kincardine at the "B" tournament and the Dodgers lost to Forest 6-3 in the "C" tournament.

The Knights took the long route for the playoffs in Orillia, after suffering a 4-2 loss to London during the opening game. In the second match the Knights won a tight 7-6 game over Port Hope followed by an 11-1 thrashing of Welland. In the fourth game they met Aurora and took the game 4-3 in a seventh inning rally.

The championship game was a rematch of last year pitting the Knights against the undefeated Exeter team. After a tight few innings New Lowell was unable to pounce on Exeter and lost 6-2.

Both the Aurora Jays and Ivy Leafs were also at the tournament. Ivy won their first game 12-0 over Welland followed by a 6-4 loss to Exeter. The teams second loss came from London with a 4-0 score.

Aurora received a bye for the first round, handily defeated London 13-4 but suffered a loss to Exeter 5-4 in their third game. The Jays met New Lowell in the semis and took the loss.

After opening the tournament with a 5-1 win over Amherstburg, the Clearview team received a bye for the second round at their provincials. In third round action they met the hosts, Port Lambton, taking the game 4-3. In the quarterfinals Clearview mustered a 4-2 win over Fort Erie, in a game delayed Saturday night and played Sunday morning. For the semi-finals they beat Welland 6-2.

In the finals, the Orioles met Kincardine and took their first loss 10-5, which set up a sudden death game between the two clubs. The game was played Monday where the Orioles where out-scored 9-2.

While the Bolton Dodgers had a less than promising season, they managed an appearance in the championship game in Thorold losing 6-3 to Forest. The Dodgers opened the tournament with a 9-1 win over Mitchell but suffered a loss to Lasalle 4-3 for their second game. Bolton picked up victories over Essex 12-7 in a nine-inning bout, Thorold Sox 3-1 and Forest 12-0 to advance to the final game. The Dodgers met Forest again but this time lost the contest 6-3.

Barrie Angels were able to make the semi-final of the "C" tournament. After the first game forfeit by St. Thomas the Angels lost the second game to Thorold Fantoms 11-7 before a 10-5 victory against league rival Midland Indians. Barrie continued with wins against Thorold Fantoms 11-0 and Lasalle 3-1 before dropping the semi-final game to Forest 10-5.

Meanwhile the Midland team won their first game 2-1 over the Thorold Sox, suffered a loss against Forest 7-5 and was eliminated by Barrie.

The Creemore Barons and Orangeville Giants bowed out of the "A" playoffs in Kendal after two games. Creemore lost to Woodslee 8-2 and Clarington 3-1. Orangeville suffered a 9-3 loss to Welland and a 15-3 loss to Listowel.