With their 2 prior leagues games having been sandwiched around a strong run at the Elims, the Hawks looked to end the regular season on a 3 game winning streak Tuesday as they welcomed the Pickering Red Sox to town. Ryan Aida drew the start and worked 5 strong innings allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits. Ryan Fedrigo, Mark West and Alex Bruce all combined to slow the Sox bats over the final 4 innings and waited for the Hawks offence to get going. Troy McLaughlin lead the onslaught going 5 for 5 and scoring 3 runs. Paul Rupnik capped an exceptional rookie season going 3 for 4 with 2 stolen bases, an RBI and 4 runs scored. Make the final 11-4 Hawks as they wrap up the regular season in 3rd. 

The Hawks will play Martingrove in a best 2 of 3 series starting Friday at the Fairgrounds. The series winner will advance to the Final 4 tournament on the weekend of August 24th at Concord Regional. 

Hawk Droppings

-As usual Chris DeZorzi finishes the season strong. He enters League Playoff play on an 8 for 18 run by way of a 6 game hitting streak. He's also struck out just once in his last 25 at bats

-With the 5 innings and 1 earned run, Ryan Aida captured the GTBL ERA title, capping off a very strong season

Newmarket got back to some Sunday baseball at the Elims this year after 3 great wins over Friday and Saturday. Game 5 saw the Hawks matchup against a pesky Milton Red Sox team on Sunday morning. Hawks vet Mark West got the nod on the mound and kept Milton quiet for the first two innings of work. The Hawks strung together a walk and 4 hits in the 2nd inning and took an early 2-0 lead. Milton came back for 3 of their own in the 3rd before Alex Bruce took over on the mound to start the 4th. After breezing through the 4th inning, Bruce fell victim to a couple bad bounces and the Red Sox would tack on to their lead with 4 more runs before Christian Davies put out the fire. The Hawks managed to put the leadoff runner on in the 7th but the rally would end there. A 7-2 final would put an end to the Hawks run at the Elimination tournament. 

Hawk Droppings

-The Hawks pitching staff was outstanding over the weekend. They authored 3 complete games and allowed just 11 earned runs in 35 innings of work. 

-Hawks bats were equally as impressive amassing 42 hits, 18 walks and only striking out 10 times in 5 games. 

CJ Dungavel got the opening assignment at noon on Saturday against the always dangerous Tecumseh Thunder. In a battle of 2 undefeated teams, this one would turn into a classic pitchers duel. Dungavel kept Tecumseh off balance all afternoon allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits as he picked up the complete game. The Hawks bats were really kept in check though and could only muster up a lone run in the 3-1 loss. 

Game 2 didn't give Newmarket much time to lick their wounds as they faced the Erindale Cardinals in their first elimination game. Dan Lehmkuhl battled his way through 7 strong innings for the Hawks 3rd complete game of the weekend, limiting the Cards to just 4 hits.  Tyler Plumpton was the offensive hero with a momentum changing 2 run double off the left field wall in the 3rd. Just in case the Cards had any life left, Chris DeZorzi and Kevin Holloway pulled off back to back squeeze bunts in the 5th to hammer the final nails in the coffin. Make it a 7-1 final and a spot in the final 8.