Over the June 19th to 20th weekend, Sinclair Yards in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario played host to a mini showcase featuring three local baseball programs as the Soo 15U Black Sox, Soo 15U DS Black Sox, and Soo Woodducks took to the diamond. The three-day event provided players with an opportunity to compete against familiar opponents, showcase their development, and gain valuable game experience as each team continued preparations for the heart of their respective summer schedules.
The Black Sox got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after an error scored one run, and Mitch McLeod drew a walk, scoring one run.
A single by Mitch McLeod extended the Soo’s lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third inning.
Brayden Boulrice earned the win for the Black Sox. The starter gave up two hits and one run (zero earned) over three innings, striking out six and walking three. Ethan Pawelek took the loss for DS Black Sox. The right-handed pitcher went four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three and walking one. Luca D’Ulisse pitched three innings of shutout ball for the Black Sox in relief. The pitcher surrendered one hit, striking out five and walking none.
Mitch McLeod, Bryce Perrott, and Angus Bell each collected one hit for the Soo. Mitch McLeod led the Black Sox with one run batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-1 on the day.
Ethan Pawelek, Greg Beckerson, and Duillsa Noah each collected one hit for the DS Black Sox. Treyten King Guzzo stole two bases.
Game two of the weekend, the Black Sox took on their cross border rivals, the Soo Woodducks where Ethan Myers collected three hits in four at bats, as the Black Sox defeated the Woodducks 12-2 on Friday evening. Ethan Myers doubled in the second inning, singled in the first inning, and singled in the fourth inning.
The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the first inning after Ethan Myers singled to center field, Gavin Bisaillon walked, and Mitch McLeod walked, each scoring one run.
The Black Sox added to their early lead in the top of the second inning when Ethan Myers doubled, scoring two runs, and Bryce Perrott hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
Gavin Bisaillon earned the win for the Black Sox. The pitcher allowed five hits and two runs over three innings, striking out five and walking none. McKee took the loss for the Woodducks. The reliever went two and one-third innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits, striking out none and walking none. Barber led things off on the hill for the Woodducks. The hurler surrendered one hit and five runs (two earned) over one inning, striking out two and walking five. Ethan Myers threw two innings of no-run ball for the Black Sox in relief. The righty surrendered one hit, striking out one and walking one.
The Black Sox tallied 10 hits in the game. Damian Beharriell and Devon Grbich each collected multiple hits for the Black Sox. Luke Thorburn led the Black Sox with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting six walks for the game. Ethan Myers stole two bases.
McKee went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Lewis led the Woodducks with two hits in three at bats. The Woodducks turned one double play in the game.
On Saturday, the Black Sox opened the day with Bryce Perrott driving in five runs on three hits to lead the Black 15U Sox past DS Black Sox 15-1 on Saturday. Bryce Perrott singled in the second scoring two, tripled in the fifth scoring two, and singled in the first scoring one.
The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the first inning after Ethan Myers grounded out, and Bryce Perrott singled, each scoring one run.
The Black Sox added to their early lead in the top of the second inning when Freddy Slukynsky singled, scoring one run, Devon Grbich doubled, scoring one run, and Bryce Perrott singled, scoring two runs.
The Black Sox scored five runs on four hits in the top of the third inning. Gavin Bisaillon singled, scoring one run, Luca D’Ulisse singled, scoring one run, an error scored two runs, and Ethan Myers singled, scoring one run.
Damian Beharriell earned the win for the Black Sox. The hurler allowed one hit and one run over three and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking seven. Colton Daynard took the loss for the DS Black Sox. The starter went two innings, giving up 11 runs (nine earned) on 10 hits, striking out none and walking two. Ethan Myers pitched one and one-third innings of shutout ball for the Black Sox in relief. The pitcher gave up zero hits, striking out one and walking one.
The Black Sox piled up 16 hits in the game. Luke Thorburn and Bryce Perrott each collected three hits for the Black Sox. Ethan Myers, Devon Grbich, and Freddy Slukynsky each collected multiple hits for the Black Sox. Freddy Slukynsky stole three bases. The Black Sox ran wild on the base paths, accumulating seven stolen bases for the game. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game. The Black Sox were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Luke Thorburn made the most plays with seven.
Carter Rome went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead DS Black Sox in hits. The DS Black Sox had a strong eye at the plate, amassing eight walks for the game. Myles Nieson and Patrick Cain led the team with two walks each. The DS Black Sox turned one double play in the game.
Game three and second of the day on Saturday, the Black Sox couldn’t keep up with the Woodducks and fell 19-7.
The Woodducks opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to three singles. The Woodducks first got on the board when Parker Stacy singled, scoring one run.
The Woodducks scored seven runs on three hits in the top of the third inning. Connor McKee grounded out, scoring one run, Becker drew a walk, scoring one run, Jaxson Odbert was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Kavanaugh hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Lewis drew a walk, scoring one run, and Parker Stacy singled, scoring two runs.
Connor McKee earned the win for the Woodducks. The starter surrendered six hits and seven runs (six earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking four. Freddy Slukynsky pitched three and one-third innings in relief for the Black Sox. The reliever surrendered four hits and eight runs (zero earned) while striking out two and walking four. Mitch McLeod took the loss for the Black Sox. The right-handed pitcher went two innings, surrendering four runs on four hits, striking out two and walking two.
Devon Grbich led the Black Sox with two hits in two at bats. Bryce Perrott and Kaleb Marrelli each drove in two runs for the Black Sox . The Black Sox turned one double play in the game.
The Woodducks accumulated 10 hits in the game. Parker Stacy drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Woodducks with four runs batted in. The outfielder went 4-for-5 on the day. Savoie collected two hits for the Woodducks in three at bats. The Woodducks had patience at the plate, tallying 11 walks for the game. Goeschel, Savoie, and L Becker led the team with two free passes each. Kester, Savoie, and Parker Stacy each stole multiple bases for the Woodducks. The Woodducks stole nine bases in the game.
In the final on Sunday in Sault Ste Marie, the Black Sox won big over the Woodducks 16-9 on Sunday.
The Woodducks opened the scoring in the first after an error scored one run.
The Black Sox jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Ethan Myers singled to center field, Bryce Perrott doubled down the left field line, Mitch McLeod walked, and Angus Bell grounded out, each scoring one run.
The Woodducks tied the game in the top of the second thanks to a single by Becker, and a double by Kavanaugh.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Black Sox went back into the lead after Bryce Perrott walked, and Luke Thorburn grounded out, each scoring one run.
The Black Sox extended their early lead with three runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Luca D’Ulisse and Devon Grbich.
The Black Sox scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. An error scored one run, an error scored one run, Brayden Boulrice doubled, scoring one run, Gavin Bisaillon grounded out, scoring one run, and Mitch McLeod singled, scoring one run.
Devon Grbich earned the win for the Black Sox. The right-handed pitcher gave up 11 hits and seven runs (five earned) over five innings, striking out four and walking none. Savoie took the loss for the Woodducks. The hurler went one and one-third innings, allowing six runs on three hits, striking out one and walking five. Gavin Bisaillon appeared in relief for the Black Sox.
The Black Sox piled up 12 hits in the game. Luke Thorburn, Ethan Myers, Devon Grbich, and Freddy Slukynsky each collected two hits for the Black Sox. Mitch McLeod, Bryce Perrott, and Devon Grbich each drove in two runs for the Black Sox. Gavin Bisaillon paced the Black Sox with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, collecting 11 walks for the game. Freddy Slukynsky stole three bases. The Black Sox ran wild on the base paths, collecting eight stolen bases for the game.
The Woodducks collected 14 hits in the game. Connor McKee led the Woodducks with three hits in three at bats. Kavanaugh and Kester each drove in two runs for the Woodducks. Goeschel, Kester, and Savoie each collected multiple hits for the Woodducks. Savoie stole four bases. The Woodducks stole six bases in the game.
Black Sox 15U coach Jason Thorburn told Saultsports that “we put together good quality at bats and clutch hitting with runners in scoring position. Defensively we had our ups and downs, fortunately their were more ups. As a team we are working hard to achieve our maximum potential and be at our best for the Provincial Championship in Muskoka on labour day weekend. I thought our teams offense really spear headed our 4-1 record this weekend. All 12 players had strong weekend at the plate with multiple clutch hits. Our pitching was consistent for the most part throwing strikes and limiting walks.”
“A weekend like this definitely creates player confidence and momentum moving forward as we focus our attention on this upcoming weekend in SSM MI. Teams in this tournament are from different parts of the EUP and UP. Our message to the players is keep working hard and improving, focus on the present because every tournament you begin 0-0. The weekend will be a great test for our players mentally and physically. Everyone is excited for our first game, Friday at noon,” added Thorburn.
The Soo 15U Black Sox will face the Soo 18U Black Sox in exhibition action on Tuesday, June 23rd with an opening pitch of 5:00 p.m.
