Bulldogs, Cleary start new season like they finished last one
Defending champs beat The Bigs in a rematch of 2016 final
Pitchers dominated again as the Molson St. John’s Senior Men’s Softball League kicked off its 61st season Sunday at Lions Park.
Sean Cleary was his usual dominant self, tossing a threehitter with 14 strikeouts as the four-time defending champion Kelly’s Pub Bulldogs trimmed The Bigs 6-2 in a rematch of last year’s finalists, while Colin Walsh spun a four-hitter with 16 Ks as the 3Cheers Pub Dodgers blanked NTV Hitmen 4-0 in another opening-day contest.
Liam Myers swung a big stick for Kelly’s, accounting for three runs on a bases-loaded triple. Andrew Wade also tripled and knocked in a run.
Mark Power started for The Bigs (4IP, 3R, 5H, 2BB, 6K) and took the loss. Mike Noftall (3IP, 3R, 4H, 2BB, 3K) finished up
Kyle Ezekiel collected three hits, and Doug Marshall doubled twice for 3Cheers Pub. Chris Maher also had two hits for the Dodgers off losing pitcher Lee Cose (6IP, 4R, 9H, 3BB, 6K).
Fergus Griffiths had two hits in a losing cause.
Next senior league action is Tuesday evening with The Bigs taking on the Hitmen at 6 p.m., followed by the Canada Games team and Kelly’s at 8.
The intermediate loop opens tonight at Lions Park with the C.B.C. Junior Canadians playing Chayee Bourras NL Selects at 6 o’clock, followed by MJR Masonry and Lafontaine Club at 8.