Scotia McLeod peewees finalists in SOBA tournament

August 20, 2013 · 0 Comments

The Scotia McLeod peewees were finalists in the SOBA tournament. Shown are (top, l to r) coach Mike Murphy, Thomas French, Gavin O’Brien, Noah Orlandi, Andrew Dinopoulos, Coach Rick Brunato, Jake Bernhardt, Tyler Radell, Max Orlandi & Coach Tim Bernhardt, (front) Matthew Murphy, Jonathan Brunato & Jonah Orlandi. Absent were Benjamin Harbridge, Brendan Grammenz, Coaches Kelley Harbridge and Robert Radell.

By Wayne Rudnitski
VP-KTBA
It was an exciting and successful week on the base paths for KTBA baseball teams.
The Scotia McLeod peewees made the final in the SOBA Intact house league tournament.
The Husky Bantam King Cobras kept the undefeated dream season alive while advancing to the playoff semi-final.
And the Grignano Racco peewee King Cobras also notched a win in playoff action.
Yes, the King Cobras baseball teams are getting even hotter than the weather is expected to be this coming week – and they are hitting their stride at just the right time. So don’t forget to head out to your local ball park to see some high quality minor baseball – you don’t want to miss this action!

Senior Rookie playoffs

On Aug. 14, Omnivex King Cobras went to Routley Park to face Vaughan’s X-Mid Truck in their third playoff game. Both teams were undefeated in the playoffs heading into this game. For the first time this year (for Omnivex), the first inning ended with a score 0-0, as both teams were unable to get more than two hits.
The second inning was a bit different. William Swanson and Sean Gunnip quickly got on base and were brought home by Daniel Sansone. Tyler Oletic also scored off a base hit by Massimo Amodio. Just as Omnivex started to get their batting together, Vaughan was looking to do the same. The second inning ended with low score of 3-3.
The top of the third was cut short for Omnivex, as they only managed to bring in Swanson to take the lead by one. Although Vaughan managed to score two runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead, Omnivex showed great defensive skills as Swanson would scoop up two consecutive ground balls and make two nice throws to Nathaniel Bannister at first to get the last two quick outs.
Going into the top of the fourth Omnivex was down by one and was in need of some big hits. With two on, and two outs, Omnivex was unable to cash in those runs as their final batter stuck out which ended the game in a 5-4 loss – Omnivex’s first loss in the playoffs. Despite the loss, Omnivex, played well and the Player of the Game is William Swanson. He was great at bat, going two for two and also scoring twice, and he showed tremendous fielding skills as well.

Peewee tournament

On August 9-11 the Scotia McLeod King Cobras traveled to Hamilton for the 2013 Select Ontario Baseball Associations (SOBA) Intact House League Tournament. Scotia McLeod ended up in second place after the preliminary playoff round and then won a come from behind game against Burlington in the semi-final to face the undefeated East Hamilton team in the final. The final game was described by all as the best game of the tournament and after 6 innings Scotia McLeod just came up short by a score of 4-3 and were awarded finalist trophies.
Scotia McLeod’s Tyler Radell was selected by SOBA as the Best Defensive Player of the Tournament and was awarded a new glove. Coach Tim Bernhardt was proud of the extra effort put out by his team in the tournament and was always encouraging the players for the entire weekend to strive for their best efforts. It really paid off as it was a tremendously cohesive team effort that brought about the final results.

Peewee playoffs

The Grignano Racco Chartered Accountants King Cobras traveled to Vaughan to face the Boston Pizza Vikings on Aug. 14 and kept their playoff winning streak alive with an 11-7 win.
The Cobras shut out the opponent in the first two innings when starting pitcher, Ben Brown, threw 4 punchouts. Catcher Marshall Moore closed out the first inning by picking off a runner with his cannon throw to Daniil Bacalear at third. Logan Hall helped the cause by bagging an infield fly for the third out in the second inning. The Grignano Racco squad started strong at the plate and scored 10 runs in the first two innings. Hall, Brown, Moore, Luca Panziera, Daniel Grignano, and Nick Galifi all crossed the dish on doubles by Moore and Brown and on singles by Brown, Grignano, Bacalear, Moore, Galifi, and Tristan Vosylius. Ryan Sutherland-Pace also helped rack up the runs with a pair of walks.
Moore hit the rubber for the good guys in the third inning and quickly shut out the Vikings with a double play on an infield fly to Grignano at first, and a whiff. The Grignano Racco defence helped limit the opponent to two runs in the fourth inning, when short-stop Grignano hauled in an infield fly, Vosylius scooped a grounder, and Panziera made a sharp play at first. Grignano recorded the only run for the Cobras in the fourth inning, with his keen eyes and aggressive base running.
In the fifth inning, Panziera took to the mound for the Cobras and threw 3 strikeouts, but not before the Vikings scored 5 runs. However, it was too late the King Cobras had already sealed their win with their early rally at the plate! Player of the Game goes to Logan Hall for his keen defensive play and for going 2-for-3 at the plate as the leadoff batter.

Bantam playoffs

On Aug. 12, the undefeated Husky King Cobras played against KRCMAR, Vaughan’s most competitive team, managing only 5 hits and experiencing their most nail-biting game of the season yet!
In the first Marchetta, Long and Kandelas plated three runs while sluggers Cameron and French collected solid RBI singles. Vaughan retaliated with four runs to take the lead.
In the 2nd inning the Cobras were held scoreless, while Vaughan chalked up another run, for a two run lead. Cobras blew the game wide open in the 3rd, scoring five runs with back to back walks from Cooney, Galt, and Long. This time Kandalas and French supplied the hitting with deep singles and an RBI each advancing Husky to an 8-6 lead.
The 4th and 5th innings were tough on Husky bats with Pignataro having the only hit! Then Vaughan scored in the 4th – leading to an exciting “anyone’s game” bottom of the 5th with the Cobras up by a run! Hearts pounded as Vaughan had the tying run on third and the go ahead run on 1st. But with the runners’ attention focused on the catcher, Husky’s quick-thinking pitcher MacDonald picked him off with a swift throw to Ritter to end the inning and the game! A remarkable 8-7 finish for team Husky!
The Player of the Game was French for his 2 singles, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored which accounted for “half” of the Husky total runs!
The Husky King Cobras then won their third consecutive playoff game 13-10 against Vaughan Barmac in a short four inning game played on Aug. 14, earning them a spot in the semi-finals!
Special mention in this game goes to Eric Marchetta who commanded the mound and pitched one and a third scoreless innings, Zack Long for a tremendous throw from left field to catcher Mac MacDonald to record an out at home, and Leighton Costanzo who was the only player to go 2 for 2 at the plate with two deep singles. It has been a remarkable season for Husky and we wish them good luck in their quest for the championship!

KTBA Player of the Week Honours

The KTBA Player of the Week honours go to Tyler Radell of the Scotia McLeod King Cobras Peewee team. Radell earned Best Defensive Player of the SOBA Intact House Tournament. His leadership helped to carry the team to the championship final where they lost by a single run to the heavily favoured East Hamilton squad.