11U Dedicated Select Soo Black Sox

Over the July 24–26 weekend, the  their second tournament of the season. Featuring seven first-year players at the 11U level, the team continued to gain valuable experience against strong competition.

The tournament opened Friday evening against the host Vaughan Vikings. The 8:30 p.m. start marked the first game under the lights for every player on the 11U DS roster. The Black Sox battled throughout but came  up just short, falling 5–4 in a tightly contested game.

Saturday presented a pair of must-win games to keep the team's playoff hopes alive.

The Black Sox responded with an impressive 8–6 victory over the Thornhill Reds. After building an early 8–1 lead through two innings, the team withstood a late comeback attempt to secure the win.

Later that afternoon, the Sox delivered one of their strongest performances of the season, defeating the Innisfil Cardinals 13–2. The offence exploded for 15 hits, while the pitching staff limited the Cardinals to just five hits over 4 1/3 innings.

Napoleon Tousignant led the offence with three RBIs, while Reed Kneulman added two. Easton Good earned the win after pitching 2 2/3 efficient innings on just 25 pitches before Leo Bellini closed out the game with 2 1/3 innings of relief, striking out four batters.

The two Saturday victories earned the Black Sox a bye into Sunday's semifinal against the Orangeville Bengals.

Rowen McLaughlin highlighted the game with a three-run home run in the second inning to give the Sox an early advantage. Orangeville responded with a strong offensive effort of its own, however, rallying for a 12–9 victory to end the Black Sox's tournament run.

Although disappointed with the semifinal loss, the weekend represented another significant step in the team's development. The Black Sox continue to gain valuable experience in high-pressure, competitive games as they prepare for the Ontario Baseball Association Championships in early September.

The team's next competition against out of town teams will be the Northern Showcase in Sudbury from August 14–16.

Tournament Results

* Round Robin – Vaughan Vikings: 5–4 Loss (Player of the Game: Noah Seabrook)
* Round Robin – Thornhill Reds: 8–6 Win (Player of the Game: Cole Breton)
* Round Robin – Innisfil Cardinals: 13–2 Win (Player of the Game: Easton Good)
* Semifinal – Orangeville Bengals: 12–9 Loss (Player of the Game: Rowen McLaughlin)