Minor Midget Ontario "A" Finalists!
The Lucan-Ilderton Minor Midgets competed in the OBA Minor
Midget "A" Championships this past weekend at the Pan-Am Games Sports
Complex in Ajax.
The boys started the
12 team double knockout tournament off with consecutive wins over Thornhill,
North York and Kingston.
That led to a showdown between the only two undefeated teams on Saturday evening, the Brampton Royals and Lucan-Ilderton Athletics. Before a big crowd, the two clubs played a very intense game, with the Royals jumping out to a 6-1 lead. The A's managed to claw back into the game, eventually tieing it at 6-6 and moved the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 8th, the Royals got a key two out single to push across the winning run.
Sunday morning the A's played one of their best games of the year defeating the Belle River Braves 11-1 in the semis. That left 3 teams remaining, Kingston, Brampton and Lucan-IIderton, all with one loss. A draw from a hat would determine if the A's would go directly to the final or have to play an extra semi final game against Brampton. The draw went against the Athletics, meaning they would have to play seven games to win the tournament (Brampton and Kingston would only have to play six in order to win). The boys managed to avenge their Saturday loss to Brampton with an 11-8 semi final victory setting up the final against Kingston. Unfortunately the win against Brampton came at a cost as starting pitcher Hunter Russell was hurt in the 2nd inning, leaving the team short handed for the final. The A's battled the best they could in the final against a talented Kingston team, but couldn't stay with them and ultimately lost by a score of 13-8.
As well as being an OBA "A" finalist, the boys were also winners of the London Badger tournament and came in 3rd place in the Major Midget LDBA league. Thanks to all the coaches and players as well as the parents and grandparents for all their support.
Rod
