EXETER – The Exeter Express men's baseball team clinched a playoff spot on the weekend, winning both games of a double-header against the Tillsonburg Red Sox.

Exeter won the first game 5-2 and the second game 5-1, guaranteeing they'll finish no lower than fourth in the Southwest Senior Baseball League (SSBL).

Derek Masse pitched a complete game in Game 1, earning the win. Chris Gosnell pitched Game 2 for the Express, allowing just one unearned run.

Exeter shortstop Aaron Patterson reached base in five of his six at bats in the double-header, while Adam Leppington and Jake Draper had three hits apiece.
The Express had a 9-10 record at press time, with their final regular-season game scheduled for tonight (Wednesday) in Exeter against the London Bulls.

Though tonight's game will have no bearing on the playoff picture, it could leave the Express with a .500 record, something manager Doug Fairbairn had been shooting for.

Fairbairn said his team will face either the Lakeside Lizards or Strathroy Royals in the first round of the playoffs, which will likely begin in early August.

"They're both real tough," Fairbairn said of the two possible opponents, "but I know if we have our full roster and pitching and everything's there, we'll be tough (to beat).

"I'm pretty confident that we can compete with either one of them ... if we have our full team here, we'll compete with anybody."

Fairbairn said he'll likely start Masse in Game 1 of the playoffs, with Gosnell at third base. He said Gosnell will likely start Game 2.

Though Fairbairn said he's relatively happy with the season so far, he admitted frustration at the commitment level of some of his players.

He cited games when players committed to show up but didn't, saying there's been too much of that type of thing this year.

"At the start of the year I was shooting for .500 and now we've got a good chance of making it, but I'm still disappointed with the commitment level of some of the guys," he said.

Tonight's game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start.