18U BLACK SOX GO 3-2 AT PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

STRATFORD, ON

The Guzzo Electrical 18U Black Sox were in Stratford over the past weekend to compete in the 18U Rep ‘A’ Provincial Championships. They opened the 14 team double elimination tournament on Thursday with a convincing 8-3 victory over Toronto Playground from the Toronto Baseball Association. Lucas Carriere picked up the win going 6 2/3 innings, striking out nine, scattering eight hits and walking three. Ty Turco with a double, single and an RBI along with Kolton Tremblay with a triple and an RBI paced the offence.

Friday morning saw the Black Sox take it on the chin 11-1 from the Barrie Baycats. Hunter Thorkilson took the loss surrendering nine hits, striking out three and walking one. The Sox committed three errors and several mental mistakes leading to the loss. The offence was led by Ty Turco with a double and a single, Jack McMillan with a double and John Gillanardo with a double. With the loss the Black Sox dropped into the loser’s bracket. 

Next up on Friday was a game versus the Windsor Hawks. Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh with one out, facing elimination and nobody on base the Sox rallied and walked it off on a line drive single to right centre by Turco. Lucas Diberardino with a double and a single, Hunter Thorkilsonwith a pair of singles and John Gillanardo with a pair of singles and two RBI’s paced the offence. Kolton Tremblay picked up the victory in relief of the starter Ty Turco who went six innings allowing three hits, walking three and striking out 2.

Saturday morning saw the Black Sox take on the Ancaster Angels in another elimination game. This game saw another improbable finish. Kolton Tremblay was dominate through seven innings allowing 4 hits, walking 2 while recording 12 strikeouts. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the sixth with two runners on base Lucas Diberardino doubled down the right field line scoring both runners to give the Black Sox the lead. In the bottom of the seventh with runners at third and firstand two out Tremblay struck out the batter but the pitch was dropped by the catcher forcing the catcher to throw to first base to make the final out. The throw went over the first baseman’s head allowing the tying run to score. This took the game into extra innings where the Black Sox scored three runs in the top of the eight. With Tremblay having reached his pitch limit Ty Cond came on to pitch the bottom of the inning allowing one run on one hit and picking up the win.

Saturday afternoon saw the 18U Black Sox being eliminated by the Ajax Spartans 2-0. Ryan Oliver was outstanding for the Sox going 6 innings, scattering 6 hits, walking three while striking out one. Both Ajax runs scored on errors by the Black Sox. Meanwhile the Sox were unable to solve Ajax pitcher Gauthier who gave up but 4 hits, striking out 7 and walking 4. The best scoring opportunity for the Soo came in the top of the first inning when they loaded the bases with none out and failed to score.

The loss brought an impressive season for the Guzzo Electrical 18U Black Sox to an end. They ended the season with an overall record of 32-31-1