Coming off three straight wins over the May 17th and 18th weekend, the Soo 15U Black Sox hit the road for the 2026 15U Major Bantam A Tournament in Simcoe, Ontario over the May 22nd to 24th weekend. The Black Sox opened the tournament with a matchup against the host, Simcoe Giants.
The Soo outsted Simcoe Giants 15U 7-3 on Friday evening. The Black Sox got on the board in the first inning after Brayden Boulrice doubled, scoring two runs.
The Soo added one run in the second after Freddy Slukynsky grounded out.
The Black Sox added to their early lead in the top of the third inning when Brayden Boulrice singled, scoring two runs, and Kaleb Marrelli was struck by a pitch, driving in a run.
Gavin Bisaillon stepped on the bump first for the Soo. The starting pitcher gave up four hits and one run over three innings, striking out four and walking one. Armstrong started on the hill for the Giants. The hurler surrendered nine hits and seven runs (six earned) over three and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking four. Ethan Myers appeared in relief for the Soo.
Brayden Boulrice provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Black Sox with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-3 on the day. Bryce Perrott, Gavin Bisaillon, and Brayden Boulrice each collected two hits for the Soo. Ethan Myers stole two bases. The Black Sox ran wild on the base paths, collecting six stolen bases for the game.
Gobeil, LaPorte, Cleaver, Furtney, and Robyn each collected one hit for Simcoe. Gobeil and Robyn each drove in one run for the Giants.
The Black Sox were to meet the LaSalle Titans on Saturday morning but due to very wet weather for day two of the tournament Soo met the Titans for their second game late Friday evening under the lights in Simcoe.
The Black Sox surged past the Titans thanks to a big first inning.
The Soo scored nine runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat Lasalle 10-1 on Friday evening. Devon Grbich singled, scoring one run, Gavin Bisaillon doubled, scoring two runs, Kaleb Marrelli singled, scoring one run, Mitch McLeod singled, scoring one run, Luca D’Ulisse doubled, scoring one run, an error scored one run, and Ethan Myers singled, scoring two runs.
The Black Sox added one run in the second. Brayden Boulrice doubled down the right field line, making the score 10-0.
Devon Grbich led things off on the hill for the Black Sox. The starting pitcher surrendered zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out five and walking two. Hunter Boroski started on the mound for Lasalle. The starter allowed seven hits and 10 runs (one earned) over one inning, striking out two and walking two. Damian Beharriell appeared in relief for the Soo.
Ethan Myers led the Black Sox with two runs batted in. The right fielder went 1-for-3 on the day. Devon Grbich led the Soo with two hits in two at bats.
Black Sox coach Jason Thorburn told Saultsports that “what impressed me the most is how consistent our team’s approach has been from start to finish in every game we have played up to this point. The players have really embraced the identity that the coaching staff has been implementing since day one. We had contributions throughout our lineup and the pitchers attacked the zone and trusted the defense behind them.”
“In this tournament it was especially important for our team to come out strong from the first pitch. We are dealing with shorter games because of the weather situation that is happening in Simcoe this weekend. The players came in focused and ready to compete, and I think that confidence carries throughout the night,” said Thorburn.
The Black Sox will now wait for weather to improve to see when they will meet their next opponent in Simcoe.
