Cambridge, ON — Congrats to the 10u’s for another gritty weekend performance and their 2nd straight AAA Tournament Championship -- the 2018 Toyota Tyke Cambridge Classic. It was another 12-man Team-first effort. The boys born 2008 pitched 8, scored 9, got RBI’s from 10, hits from 11 and multiple put-outs from all 12 players.
In Game 1, the Badgers pulled off a tight 7-6 victory over a tough Hamilton Cardinal squad. The Badger offense featured 3 hits each from Ryan LeHouillier and William Weber, and two huge shots from Kolton Bergeron. From the hill, Byron Weber led off with a 3 2/3, 4 hit, 2-run, 70-pitch gem, and was backed up by strong relief. Will Sartori collected 4(!) huge catches in Right Field, to rob hits and almost single-handedly quell multiple offensive rebellions, and secure the day’s Hard Hat award.
In Game 2 on Saturday morning, the boys unleashed a convincing 11-1 five-inning win over Leaside. Mason Lange ripped the years 1st HR, and hurled a stifling 3.2 inning, 2 hit, 2 walk, 4K gem to set the tone. Jamie Moore led the way driving in 4, with two Home runs. 5 other Badgers logged 2 hits, including Leo LeClair, Logan Dawe, Byron Weber, Will Weber, and Mason Lange. On the mound, Leo LeClair finished the job throwing 2.1 innings of left-handed tails in a 1 hit, 0 Run, 3K clinic.
In game 3, the 10u Badgers dug a hole. Despite committing only 1 error in each of the previous two games, 6 different Badgers recorded an uncharacteristic error, to help give a tough-hitting Petersborough squad the 15-6 runaway victory. Led by Gavin McIlwain’s fence bruising power, (he missed the seasons first over-the-wall HR by 3 inches), four Badgers did produce extra base hits, but the Tiger defense stranded 8 Badger baserunners and kept the momentum at bay. Despite the loss, the 10u’s 2-1 record was good enough to advance to the semi-final to face Hamilton for a second straight meeting.
For Game 4, the 1pm Sunday Semi-Final, the MVP went to Team Covemaeker for delivering extra fluids and ice-soaked neon towels to keep the dream alive (literally, alive!) during crazy hot 34 degree heat, while the boys battled a stingy Hamilton defense to hold on for a 4-2 victory. A quartet of Badgers managed multiple hits, led by Cole Edmundson, who also stole 2 bases. Despite 12 hits, the Badgers stranded 9, and found themselves down 2-1 in the top of the 5th, until Logan Covemaeker cracked the game’s only XBH to drive in two huge runs and take the lead 3-2. On defense, great plays and heavy heat from the mound helped keep Hamilton in check. Jamie Moore went 4 innings, allowing just 5 hits and 2 runs, striking out 7. Byron Weber pitched the final 3 innings with 1 hit, no walks, no runs and 4K’s. In the bottom of the 7th, with the tying run at bat, and in signature situational fashion, Will Sartori caught a glove-ripping deep liner in Right and doubled up the runner to crush the Cardinal rally, and the boys danced into the final pairing.
The Tournament final (Game 5) on the Cambridge stadium diamond featured a rematch with the Petersborough Tigers. This time, the Badgers delivered a signature 15-hit, 0 error gem to secure the 9-5 win. Mason Lange and Ryan LeHouillier each collected 3 hits. 4 more Badgers collected 2 hits, including Leo LeClair who also started off on the mound with a stingy 69-pitch, 2hit, 1-run beauty with 6 punch outs. And in true team fashion, as the final of 4 pitchers, Logan Dawe came on in the 7th to throw a single pitch, generating the 6-3 ground out which capped off the Championship.
Congrats to a special group of hard-working boys that came together and played big! Special thanks to Team Sartori for iconic photos that helped capture the magic. #GoBadgers.