Exeter Express

EXETER – The Exeter Express won twice last week to improve their record to 9-2 in their Southwestern Senior Baseball League (SSBL) season.

The Express opened the week with a wild 18-11 win over the Lakeside Lizards at Alvin Willert Field. Express manager Doug Fairbairn noted it wasn’t a well-played game. “This game was not very well played by either team,” he said. “When you give up 11 runs in a game you certainly don’t expect to win.”

Terry Hogg started on the mound for Exeter and gave up six earned runs over two innings of work. Hogg allowed five singles, walked three and struck out one.

He was relieved by Mitch Masse, who allowed five runs over the next five innings. Masse gave up six singles, two doubles and a home run, walked four and stuck out two. Chris Gosnell came on in the eighth inning in relief and pitched two scoreless frames, striking out four. On offence, the Express pounded out 20 hits.

The team was paced offensively by Taylor Patterson who singled, doubled and tripled, and Chris Pfaff who hit two doubles and a home run.

Adam Leppington and Adam Darling contributed three singles each and Mitch Masse and Chris Gosnell each added a single and double. Fairbairn said the highlight of the game for him was the offensive showing of Patterson and Pfaff. “These guys are 19 years old and it’s hard to imagine they’re playing as well as they are at that age,” he said. “I’ve been involved with senior baseball for almost 40 years now and I can tell you young players like them don’t come along very often.”

Express shut out Ilderton

The Express headed to Ilderton June 27 and defeated the Red Army by a 2-0 score.

Derek Masse started for the Express, allowing six singles and striking out six in a complete game shutout.

“This was a well-played game by both teams,” Fairbairn noted. “As he typically does, Derek kept us in the game long enough for us to scratch out a couple of runs.”

Aaron Patterson and Chris Pfaff led Exeter’s offence with two singles each, while Leppington and Conrad Julien each added a base hit.

The Express had their game against the London Bills June 28 rained out.

The team is next in action July 5 at 6 p.m. at Norm Aldridge Field in London in the first game of the Lakeside tournament.

LONDON – The Exeter Express won back-to-back games last week to bring their record to 2-1 in the young Southwestern Senior Baseball League (SSBL) season.

After opening the year with a tough extra-inning loss to the Lakeside Lizards May 17, the Express evened their record at 1-1 with a 4-3 win over the London Bulls May 30 in London.

The Express got solid starting pitching from Chris Gosnell, who gave up three runs, two earned, over a nine inning complete game.

Gosnell scattered six hits over his nine frames, striking out nine. Express manager Doug Fairbairn said it was a solid start for Gosnell. “As he typically does, Goose had another solid start,” he said. “Our defense was sound and we scratched out enough runs for our first victory of the year.”

The Express were paced offensively by shortstop Aaron Patterson, who laced three singles in the victory. Gosnell helped his own cause with a double and Erik Cosman added two singles.

Express get revenge on Lakeside

The Express avenged their season opening loss to the Lakeside Lizards May 31 with a 6-1 road win.

It was another solid turn for the starting rotation, with Derek Masse giving up one earned run in the team’s second-straight complete-game victory.

Masse gave up six hits and walked three to go along with seven strikeouts in the win. “Derek pitched a great game for us,” Fairbairn said, “despite having to deal with heavy rain for part of the game.”

Aaron Patterson contributed a single and a double for the Express, while Taylor Patterson added two singles. Chris Pfaff added two doubles and Cosman also singled in the win. “Our defence was flawless and we came up with some big hits when we needed them,” Fairbairn added.

“This was a nice win for us given we were short a couple of key players.”

The Express are next in action June 7 at home when they renew hostilities with Lakeside at 7:30 p.m. at Alvin Willert Field.

The Express will then host Tillsonburg in a double-header Sunday starting at noon.

LONDON – The Exeter Express opened their Southwestern Senior Baseball League (SSBL) season with an 8-7 extra-inning loss to the Lakeside Lizards May 17 in London.

Derek Masse started for the Express and gave up seven runs, six earned, over four innings of work. He allowed 11 hits and struck out one. Chris Gosnell started the fifth inning in relief, pitching six innings.

He allowed five hits, struck out six and gave up one run to take the loss. Considering the circumstances, manager Doug Fairbairn said he was happy with how the team played.

“Given that we had very little practice and neither pitchers had thrown prior to this game, I was happy with the way we played,” he said.“We played a little sloppy defensively, but again, this is directly linked to a lack of practice time.”

The Express were paced offensively by Adam Leppington who recorded a single and a double, while Mitch Masse and newcomer Chris Pfaff added two singles apiece. Devon Elliot, Gosnell and Taylor Patterson also contributed singles. Fairbairn said he was impressed with Pfaff’s play.

“He had a couple of singles and a couple RBI’s playing in his first game in a couple of years,” he explained.

The Express are coming off a season which saw them fall in the league championship series and Fairbairn characterized this campaign as a bridge year for the squad.

In addition to losing longtime catcher Bob Grant, the Express are also without 12-year veteran Lonnie Hawke. “He hit .400-plus for us every year and rarely missed a game,” Fairbairn said. “He will be missed.” The Express are next in action May 30 on the road against the London Bulls.