The 2019 11u Badgers rolled into the AAA Trevor Barton Memorial
Tournament hoping to shake off the rust from a shortened outdoor practice
pre-season and their earlier tournament debut in May.
Game 1 ended in a 4-4 tie (7 hits each) against the motivated Hamilton Cardinals, putting the Badgers in a must-win situation for the final 2 games of pool play. But the boys stepped up to the plate.
In Game 2, a 19-0 mercy win over the previously 1-0 Aurora Jays, set up the next contest with the Brampton Royals, with the winner to advance. Badger boys prevailed 11-3, then beat the undefeated Milton Mets in the Semis, 4-0. In the final, the Badgers unloaded on the East York Bulldogs with a convincing 17-4 win.
Over 5 games, the Badgers unleashed an offensive Tsunami that overwhelmed opposing defenses, outscoring them 55 to 11 over 5 games, posting a seam-crushing 58 hits and a .408 team batting average for the tournament, offering opponents no relief from any part of the order. All 12 Badger boys scored multiple runs and recorded multiple hits, with 9 different players slugging extra-base power shots.
The relentless 12-man batting and running attack was backed up by strong pitching and stingy defense. 7 Badger pitchers combined for a team ERA of 1.867 on the weekend, and all-out diving defensive efforts were delivered from every position. Need an MVP? Pick a teammate. It was the ultimate team victory.
Coaches Dave, Wade, Matt and Geoff set the tone with Badger style positivity, looseness, respect and focus, giving the boys the freedom to have fun, and perform at a high level. And they did. The signature pre-game dugout dance times 5, and all the love, helped keep the smiles rolling… right through the trophy presentation. Way to go boys! Go big. Go Badgers!
