OSHAWA, ON - In their home opener at Kinsmen Stadium the Durham Lords earned a 10-1 win over the Fanshawe Falcons, before falling 7-4 in the second game of the Sunday afternoon doubleheader.

DC were fast out of the gates taking advantage of their great team speed to steal seven bases in the opening two innings, en route to a 7-1 lead. Six different players recorded a stolen base in the opening game, with the Lords adding three more runs later in the contest. This follows the trend set by Durham in their season opener on Friday where they recorded seven stolen bases that night as well. 

Combined with strong pitching from 2019 OCAA pitcher of the year Jason Crouse (Oshawa, ON) and first-year pitcher Ryan Mattes (Whitby, ON), and great defensive plays from infielders Tyler Chong (Markham, ON) and Griffin Oliver (Oshawa, ON), Durham delivered a dominant performance in their first game at Kinsmen Stadium.

Durham will remain at home for their next doubleheader versus a tough opponent in the Humber Hawks this Friday, Sept. 24. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.  
 

AT THE PLATE

Game 1
• Three separate Lords recorded multiple RBI, highlighted by an inside the park home run from Josh Arce (Oshawa, ON) who finished the afternoon 1-for-2 with a walk, two RBI, and a run.
• Joining Arce with a two RBI performance, first-year outfielder Cam Lugtenburg (Bowmanville, ON) went 2-for-3 at the plate for DC, also adding two runs and a stolen base.
Game 2
• Three DC players recorded two hits, including second baseman Chong, first baseman Palmer Cruickshank (Oshawa, ON), and Oliver who also added an RBI.
• The top of the Fanshawe lineup did all the damage, led by leadoff batter Maguire Gordon who went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs.
 

ON THE MOUND

Game 1
• Crouse picked up the win, pitching three innings with one strikeout, three walks, four hits, and just one earned run.
• Appearing in relief, Mattes went four innings, allowing just one hit, while striking out two.
Game 2
• Lords starting pitcher Andrew Howald (Whitby, ON) only made it two innings after allowing four earned runs, while Ben Spunde (Elmira, ON) conceded three earned runs over four innings of relief.
• Taking to the mound for the Falcons in the third inning, Russell Derksen earned the win with 4.1 innings pitched, striking out two and giving up two earned runs on six hits.
 

QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS

Overall Record: 1-5 (W-L)
Conference Record: 1-2

Next match: Friday, Sept. 24 vs. Humber Hawks (6/8:15 p.m. - Kinsmen Stadium)
 
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