OTTAWA – Both the Bantam Boys and the Senior Men’s championships got underway today and so far the fans have seen some pretty lopsided affairs.
At the Bantam Boys Championship in Vaughan, Ontario; the host team made easy work of Manitoba getting the mercy rule victory by a score of 15-2.
It was a 6-1 lead for Vaughan going into the top of the fifth when they blew the game wide open by scoring nine runs in the frame. The scoring was highlighted by Zach Sardellitti (Vaughan, ON) who hit an RBI triple in the inning, followed by a two-run home run from Johnny Caputo (Toronto, ON) a few batter later.
Brett Siddall (Windsor, ON) pick up the win, allowing only one hit in just 2 1/3 innings, but registering all seven outs via the strikeout.
In other action, Québec earned a mercy rule win of their own with a 15-0 drubbing over Prince Edward Island. Also, Nova Scotia scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn a mercy win by a score of 14-4 over Newfoundland. Devon Oliver-Dares (Cole Harbour, NS) led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with a home run, double and four RBI.
Finally, New Brunswick reduced a 4-1 deficit to one, but that was as close as they would get in a 4-3 loss to Saskatchewan.
At the Senior Men’s Championship in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Ben Higgins (Moncton, NB) threw a complete game, four-hitter and Jody Peterson (Fredericton, NB) hit a three-run homer in the first inning on route to a 2-for-3 day with five RBI in a 9-2 New Brunswick (Fredericton) win over British Columbia.
Higgins went all seven innings on the mound, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
New Brunswick (Chatham) was not as fortunate in their first game, succumbing to Québec by a score of 6-1. Also, Nova Scotia edged Newfoundland 5-4 and Ontario defeated Manitoba 9-5.
To follow the 2009 Baseball Canada National Championships live, click on the following link: http://www.baseball.ca/eng_doc.cfm?DocID=145
.jpeg)
