The Brewers continued their win streak over the weekend, behind dominant pitching efforts from Terry Oulds, Matt Rylett, and ace Dave Carey. The three starters allowed just 2 runs (0 earned) over 20 innings of work, while Joe Hewak worked 1 scoreless inning in relief.

On Friday night, the Brewers hosted the Courtright Cardinals in a Western Counties battle. The home side took the game 5-1 behind outstanding pitching from Terry Oulds.

Oulds limited the Cardinals to 1 unearned run over 6 strong innings, allowing 6 hits and walking none, picking up the win.

Maple City opened the scoring in the second inning. Joe Hewak (SS) doubled to lead off the inning, and came in to score on a Dave Smith (RF) RBI double. That would be all the Brewers would get as Joe Wright (CF) smashed a line drive directly at the second baseman as Smith was attempting to steal third, resulting in an inning ending double play.

Misfortune extended to the 3rd inning, as Joel Smith (2B) walked, and, on a hit and run, Mike Verfaillie (1B) hit a line drive rocket at the first baseman, that turned into an easy double play.

Courtright tied the game up in the top of the fourth, but the Brewers stormed back in the home half. David Corrente (C) bombed a homerun to straight away centre to lead off the inning and that seemed to rattle the Courtright pitcher, who promptly issued 3 straight walks.

Dave Smith hit a sac fly to make the score 3-1 Brewers, and after another walk loaded the bases again, Joel Smith hit a 2 run single to the gap in right centre field, giving the Brewers a 5-1 lead, which would be the final.

Oulds shut the Cardinals down in the fifth and sixth, and Hewak came in to close it out in the seventh, striking out 2 batters in the process. Full box score available.

On Sunday, Riverside came to Chatham in what was a battle for first place in the Essex League. Riverside needed to win both games to close to within a half game for first, but on this day, the Royals had no answer for the Brewer pitching.

Dave Carey threw a gem in game 1, striking out a season high 13 batters, and allowing only 5 hits and no walks, and never giving Riverside a chance to get in the game.

The Brewers jumped on the Royals early; a Matt Knights (SS) triple, and a Ryan Cattrysse (RF) double, led to one run, and a sac fly by Joe Hewak (3B) brought in another, making the score 2-0.

That was plenty for the Brewers as Carey would yield only one unearned run, in the top of the third.

In the home half of the fourth, with the score 2-1, the Brewers sealed the win. Dave Smith (LF) singled, Jarrod Lucier (CF) advanced to first on an error, and Carey walkd to load the bases with nobody out. Alan Oldershaw (1B) flied out, but then Joel Smith (2B) hit a 2 run double that burned the centre fielder to extend the lead to 4-1. The Brewers would add another run in the inning giving them a 5-1 lead.

Dave Carey took over from that point, retiring the last nine Royals in order to secure the win, and first place in the Essex League. Full box score available.

Game two saw yet another gem from a Brewer starter. Matt Rylett took to the mound fresh off a complete game win against Dresden a week earlier and looked sharp, going the distance again.

Rylett gave up just 4 hits, no walks, and allowed no runs to cross the plate, while striking out four. The only time Riverside threatened was in the top of the third. They loaded the bases with three consecutive seeing eye singles, with one out, but Rylett forced a sharp grounder to Matt Knights (SS) at shortstop who flipped to Joel Smith (2B) at second, who turned the 6-4-3 double play to escape the jam.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Brewers opened the scoring. Mike Verfaillie (1B) reached on an error, and advanced to second on an Alan Oldershaw (RF) walk. Verfaillie moved to third on a great read when a pitch in the dirt skipped a few feet away from the Royals catcher. Then, after a pair of strikeouts, Joel Smith lined a sharp single over the shortstop to put the Brewers out in front 1-0.

The Brewers added to their lead in the fifth. David Corrente (C) and Joe Hewak (3B) both singled, and Oldershaw walked. With 2 outs Joe Wright (CF) hit an infield single that plated the second run of the game and the final score was 2-0 Brewers. Full box score available.

The Brewers clinch first place in the Essex League and earn a first round bye in the playoffs.