Over the June 5–7 weekend, the Soo 18U Black Sox traveled north to Thunder Bay for a four-game series against the Thunder Bay Lakers. The Black Sox enter the series looking to bounce back after suffering back-to-back losses to the Sault High Blue Devils in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on May 27.

Game one of the weekend opened up Friday evening on the 5th of June with the Black Sox taking to the diamond to face the Lakers.

Thunder Bay got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after the Black Sox committed an error, and Braidyn Hopkins singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.

A single by Drake Droll extended the Thunder Bay lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the second inning.

The Lakers added one run in the third. Jacob Cook singled down the left field line, making the score 4-2.

Kooper earned the win for Thunder Bay. The pitcher allowed seven hits and four runs (two earned) over seven innings, striking out nine and walking two. Jakson Carroll took the loss for the Soo. The pitcher went four innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits, striking out none and walking three.

Ty Cond and Carroll each collected two hits for the Black Sox. Tye Turco, Bryson Palahnuk, and Carroll each drove in one run for the Soo. Carroll stole two bases.

Thunder Bay accumulated 14 hits in the game. Cook drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Lakers with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-4 on the day. Cook, Droll, Kyler, Hopkins, and Leland each collected two hits for Thunder Bay.

Game two of the weekend opened up on Saturday morning with the Soo falling to Thunder Bay Lakers in a low-scoring affair. Both teams were strong on the mound on Saturday, but was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 1-0 victory over the Black Sox.Tye Turco started the game for the Soo and recorded 18 outs.

The Lakers took an early lead in the first inning when Jacob Cook singled, scoring one run.

Alexander Johnston earned the win for the Lakers. The right-handed pitcher allowed three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking one. Turco took the loss for the Black Sox. The starting pitcher went six innings, allowing one run (zero earned) on two hits, striking out three and walking two.

Bryson Palahnuk went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Black Sox in hits. The Soo turned one double play in the game.

Cook and Nate Girvin were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected one hit for Thunder Bay while hitting back-to-back. Cook went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.

On Saturday afternoon in game three of the weekend and second of the day, the Soo lost to the Lakers. The Black Sox were the first to get on the board in the first when Bryson Palahnuk grounded out, scoring one run. Nate Girvin grounded into a fielder’s choice, which helped the Lakers tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.

In the top of the fifth, the Soo broke up the tie when an error scored one run. Then a fly out by Tye Turco followed to extend the lead to 3-1.

Thunder Bay flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the sixth, scoring seven runs on seven hits to take the lead, 8-4. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Drake Droll on an 0-2 count that drove in two.

Braidyn Hopkins earned the win for Thunder Bay. The hurler surrendered two hits and zero runs over two innings, striking out three and walking none. Jacob Scornaiencki took the loss for the Soo. The hurler went five and two-thirds innings, giving up eight runs (three earned) on 10 hits, striking out three and walking none. Jacob Cook opened the game for the Lakers. The southpaw surrendered six hits and four runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking one.

Number eight hitter, J.A Giallonardo, showed the depth of the Black Sox lineup, by leading them with two hits in three at bats. Palahnuk, Giallonardo, and Jakson Carroll each drove in one run for the Soo. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game.

Thunder Bay tallied 11 hits in the game. Ashton MacPhail and Preston Posselwhite each collected two hits for the Lakers. Droll and Girvin each drove in two runs for Thunder Bay.

On Sunday, June 7th in the four game of the weekend, the Black Sox took to the diamond in Thunder Bay looking for their first win of the weekend. The Soo could not keep up with Thunder Bay in the 6-4 loss on Sunday.

The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the first inning after Thomas Keough doubled down the left field line, and J.A Giallonardo singled , each scoring one run.

The Lakers took the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the first thanks to doubles by Carter Campbell, Nate Girvin, and Braidyn Hopkins.

Thunder Bay added one run in the second. Drake Droll flew out, making the score 4-2.

The Lakers added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Hopkins doubled down the right field line, and Preston Posselwhite flew out, each scoring one run.

Kyler Glenn earned the win for the Lakers . The starting pitcher allowed six hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking none. Ryan Oliver took the loss for the Soo. The starter went three innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits, striking out one and walking one. Droll earned the save.

Bryson Palahnuk led the Black Sox with two runs batted in. The catcher went 1-for-1 on the day. Ty Cond and Giallonardo each collected two hits for the Soo.

Hopkins drove the middle of the lineup, leading Thunder Bay with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-3 on the day. Droll and Hopkins each collected two hits for the Lakers. Droll and Girvin each stole multiple bases for Thunder Bay.

Next up for the Black Sox will be Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th when they head south of the border for a three game showdown.