Semi-final action underway in men's fastball

The second round of the Rick McDonald Memorial Fastball league semi-finals best of three affairs got underway Monday night in Azilda at the Rick McDonald Memorial Park. According to a press release, both games were surprisingly major blow outs.

In the opener, the defending league champions from 2008, the Dog House Sportsbar and Eatery North Stars scored early and often on their way to a 18-5 trouncing of the Garson Hounds.

North Stars pitcher Jordy "Swede" Dahlvick went the distance in collecting his third victory of the playoffs, giving up seven hits, issuing two walks and striking out 10 batters. Gary Lamothe was tagged with the loss for Hounds, giving up 25 hits, and striking out one batter.

Joel Belanger led the way for the North Stars hitting five for six with one double, while teammate Moe Coutu went four for five at the plate, with a double and a triple. In a losing cause for the Hounds, Todd Parsons hit three for four with a double and a two-run homerun. his fourth of the playoffs.

In the nightcap, the Pickerel River Cardinals pounded the Parry Island Hawks' starting pitcher Al Guenette for six runs in the opening two frames, cruising to a first game victory of 12-2.

Cardinal's pitcher Jonathan Contin picked up his first victory of the playoffs, giving up 10 hits and striking out four batters. In the final two innings, Guenette was relieved by Matt Tobobundung. The two pitchers combined to give up 17 hits, four walks and five strike-outs.

Ed Panamick Jr. lead the way for the Cardinals with a perfect three for three performance at the plate, with a double and a triple, while teammate Pat Brennan Jr. went three for five. Walter Tobobundung Jr. batted three for four with one double in a losing cause for the Hawks.

Both series resume Sept. 3 in Garson at the Lorne Brady Memorial Park. The North Stars will battle the Hounds beginning at 7 p.m., followed by the Cardinals and the Hawks at 9 p.m.