Smart Helps Titans to Series Victory

OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

Ottawa, ON - The Ottawa Titans (25-26) used a 2-for-2 performance from Jamey Smart to pick up an 8-4 victory over the Tri-City ValleyCats (30-21) on Sunday afternoon, ending the first half of the season on a high note.

Once again, the Titans put together a strong offensive showing in the early innings against Rafi Vazquez (ND, 3-3), who allowed the first two to reach in the opening frame. After falling behind in the count, Jamey Smart blasted a three-run homer to right-centre to make it 3-0 in the early going.

The ValleyCats would answer with a pair of runs in the second and tie the game in the third against Zac Westcott (ND, 3-5), who made the start on short rest.

After Sicnarf Loopstok's double in the bottom of the third put two in scoring position, AJ Wright put the Titans back ahead 4-3 with an RBI groundout.

Westcott would settle in and at one point retire eight in a row through the middle inning. In the seventh, Westcott would exit after giving up a leadoff single to Robbie Merced.

Chris Burica was first out of the bullpen in the series finale, allowing the tying run to score as John Mead brought home Merced with a sacrifice fly to right.

Westcott would go six innings and allow four runs (two earned) on six hits, striking out five.

Entering the game for Vazquez, Coleman Huntley III (loss, 1-1) would plunk Jacob Talamante to start the bottom of the seventh. After Huntley got the next two in order, Jamey Smart lined a single to left to score Talamante to plate the eventual winning run.

In the eighth, the Titans sent nine to the plate against Greg Veliz and scored three more times. Jacob Talamante brought home one on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and Jason Dicochea cashed in a pair with a two-run single.

Gleyvin Pineda (win, 1-1), Augie Gallardo, and Erasmo Pinales would collectively lock down the victory in relief to help capture the series win.

With Jamey Smart's performance, he finishes the week 11-for-23 with eight runs scored, four doubles, two homers, and 15 RBI in the six games.

The Ottawa Titans will now enter the all-star break and return to action on Friday night to open a series with the Lake Erie Crushers at 7:05 pm in Avon, Ohio. All the action can be heard on CKDJ 107.9 and 94,5 UNIK FM and live-streamed on Flo Baseball. For information on season tickets, group outings, and nine-game mini packs, visit the Titans’ official website at www.ottawatitans.com.