OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 6, 2009 · 42 No offence, but Buzz improves to 3-1 "I think it was a bit of frustration... not being able to get anything going and not getting the It wasn't pretty, but the Oakville opportunities, so you retaliate Buzz will take it. more," said the coach. "(If the Despite struggling offensively discipline doesn't improve), for the second straight game, the some guys' shifts will get a lot Buzz managed to pull out a 5-4 win shorter." over the Guelph Regals Friday at Gillies said the team is eagerly Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, awaiting the return of Dylan improving to 3-1 on the Ontario Gilbert, who had 30 goals and 25 Lacrosse Association junior B sea- assists with the Buzz last year. The son. 19-year-old Oakville Mike Dawson, a "The effort's there, Trafalgar High School Sarnia-area native the guys are just grad is expected back playing his first game squeezing the from Davenport with the Buzz after sticks a little University in a couple being let go by the weeks. too much." club's junior A affiliate One of the Buzz's Burlington Chiefs, top transition players, Oakville Buzz provided the gameEthan O'Connor, will coach Ken Gillies winning goal 4:29 into rejoin the team in the third period -- the lone goal of June after attending prep school in the final frame. Ohio. Alex Kruse, Robert Bentivegna, "We're a little leaner this year on Eric Crepinsek and Brad Galante the offensive side, so we can't afford also tallied for Oakville, which has to miss a few of our more offensive managed only nine goals in its past players," Gillies said. two contests after opening the year In the meantime, the Buzz is with 24 goals in its first two games. relying more on its defence, which "We're still moving guys around seems up to the challenge. Led by on offence and trying to find the goaltender Cam Watts, Oakville right mix," said Buzz head coach ranks second in the West Ken Gillies. "The effort's there, the Conference in goals-against averguys are just squeezing the sticks a age (4.75). little too much." The Buzz will be home for its Being short-handed 17 times next three games, including a clash (Oakville killed off all 17 Guelph Friday with the St. Catharines power plays) didn't help, although Spartans at Glen Abbey (an 8 p.m. Gillies said the penalties go hand in start). The Owen Sound North hand with the team's offensive Stars will visit Oakville Sunday, struggles. beginning at 2 p.m. BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR By Jon Kuiperij GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER THE EYES HAVE IT: Carter Buchanan of the Oakville A's follows through on a base hit during Monday's 4-1 victory over the Erindale Cardinals at Oakville Park. Manager likes team's outfield depth Continued from page 41 Local volleyball players earn medals with MAC Many local athletes have helped their respective Mountain Athletic Club (MAC) volleyball clubs to successful showings this season. Captain R. Wilson students Marco Folino, Chris Silva and Onkar Bedi were part of MAC's 14under boys' squad that won gold medals at four consecutive tournaments, while T.A. Blakelock's Ahmed El-Sayed helped the MAC 18-under boys' team win gold at the prestigious Nittany Lions Penn State Tournament and earn a berth in this summer's U.S. junior nationals. In 17-under competition, three local girls were instrumental in MAC's gold-medal win at the Tier 2 provincials as well as the team's fifth-place finish at the 18U provincials. Renee Helmer of Abbey Park, Nicole Helmer of Loyola and Mire Krunic of White Oaks all played key roles in MAC's success. White Oaks' Kate Croft won silver in 18U competition and added a provincial silver with the MAC 21U squad. Finally, River Oaks' Mila Krunic earned bronze with her 13U MAC club. Instead, Tourangeau will see most of his time in the outfield, where he played until being converted to a pitcher while with Team Ontario because of his arm strength. There, he will be part of what Fisher believes is the best outfield in the league -- the A's are so deep that Ontario university allstar Matt Bekar has been moved to second base. Robertson also started the season on a strong note. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out five. "He'll pitch every third game for us," Smallhorn said. "He's got good control and his fast"He'll pitch every ball is good, but maybe the biggest third game for us. thing is the soft skills, his focus and his determination." He's got good Robertson left the game with a control and his fast2-0 lead, thanks to three Erindale ball is good, but errors in the second inning. After maybe the biggest the Cardinals narrowed the gap to thing is the soft one in the top of the seventh, the A's added some insurance in the skills, his focus and bottom of the inning. his determination." Bekar drew a two-out basesloaded walk to bring in A's co-manager David Tourangeau. Carter Buchanan then Smallhorn, talking lined a base hit up the middle that about pitcher the Erindale shortstop nearly Gord Robertson caught. Though Griffin scored from third, the Cardinals fielder scrambled to recover the ball and threw home to cut down Alex Kotulak trying to score. Hawley then survived a scare in the ninth to seal the victory. He had retired six in a row, including a pair of strikeouts to open the ninth. However, two walks and an infield single loaded the bases before he got a pop-up to end the threat. "Just call me B.J. Ryan. I always make it interesting," Hawley said, referring to the Toronto Blue Jays' closer, as he was congratulated by teammates. The A's will have another reason to celebrate when they play Friday in Dundas, as Tourangeau turns 25. Another win would be icing on the cake. 2009 A's schedule DATE May 4 May 8 May 11 May 18 May 18 May 21 May 25 May 29 May 30 June 1 June 8 June 9 June 14 June 15 June 22 June 28 June 28 June 29 July 6 July 11 July 11 July 13 July 20 July 25 July 25 July 27 Aug. 6 Aug. 7 Aug. 10 Aug. 13 Aug. 17 OPPONENT Erindale @ Dundas Burlington Brampton Brampton @ St. Catharines Glanbrook @ Etobicoke @ Erindale St. Catharines Milton @ Dundas @ Glanbrook Glanbrook Milton @ Burlington @ Burlington St. Catharines Etobicoke @ Brampton @ Brampton Burlington Dundas @ Milton @ Milton Etobicoke @ St. Catharines @ Etobicoke Erindale @ Glanbrook Dundas TIME 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 12 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 12 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 12 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 12 p.m. TBA 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. · All A's home games to be played at Oakville Park, next to White Oaks Secondary School www.oakvillebeaver.com