Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

The Sault 18U Black Sox baseball tournament weekend concluded with a satisfying 2-1 record over the July 5th to 7th weekend at the Gabby Mills Tournament in Midland, Michigan, marking a notable improvement from the previous weekend’s 2-2 performance at the 2024 Marinette Tournament.

In game one of the weekend, the Black Sox Take Down Owen Barrett Post 110 A A Little At A Time with the Soo building their lead a few runs at a time in a 6-0 victory over Owen Barrett Post 110 A on Friday. The Black Sox opened the scoring in the first after Caleb Walker singled, scoring one run. The Soo added two runs in the second. Owen Barrett Post 110 A committed an error, making the score 3-0. A walk by Thomas Keough extended the Black Sox lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the third inning. Kolton Tremblay earned the win for the Soo. They allowed two hits and zero runs over six innings, striking out six and walking six. Rocco Holiday took the loss for Owen Barrett Post 110 A. The starting pitcher went four innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits, striking out two and walking two. Cole Masse pitched one inning of scoreless ball for the Black Sox in relief. They gave up zero hits, striking out one and walking one.

The Soo accumulated ten hits in the game. Keyton Mousseau and Walker were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for the Soo while hitting back-to-back. Mousseau and Masse were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for the Soo. Lucas DiBerardino stole two bases. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game. The Soo were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Mousseau had the most chances in the field with ten.

Holiday and Braddock Payne were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected one hit for Owen Barrett Post 110 A while hitting back-to-back. Owen Barrett Post 110 A had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Kason York and Jackson Vance led the team with two bases on balls each. Owen Barrett Post 110 A turned one double play in the game.

In game two of the weekend in Midland, the Black Sox faced Capital City Kings 16U for their next game on Friday.

The Soo won in Fashion, walk it off versus Capital City Kings 16U. It came down to the wire on Friday, as the Black Sox grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 8-7, over Capital City Kings 16U. The game was tied at seven in the bottom of the seventh when Keyton Mousseau singled, scoring one run. Despite falling down by five runs in the second inning, Capital City tried to fight back. The Kings closed the gap by scoring on a single, an error, a single, a double, an error, and a single.

The Soo got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Mousseau singled, scoring two runs, Zach Allard singled, scoring one run, and a steal of home scored one run. The Black Sox added one run in the second. Cole Masse singled, making the score 5-0. Capital City tied the game in the top of the third thanks to a single by Brady Leonard, an error, a single by Jackson Delong, and a double by Carson Moore. In the top of the fourth, the Kings broke up the tie when an error scored one run. Then a single by Charlie Thelen followed to extend the lead to 7-5.

Allard singled on a full count, which helped the Soo tie the game at seven in the bottom of the sixth. Caleb Walker earned the win for the Black Sox. The reliever allowed three hits and two runs (zero earned) over four innings, striking out one and walking two. David Thelen took the loss for Capital City. They went one-third of an inning, allowing one run (zero earned) on two hits, striking out none and walking one. Hunter Thorkilson stepped on the hill first for the Soo. The righty allowed eight hits and five runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out one and walking two. Austin Beals stepped on the bump first for the Kings. They allowed five hits and six runs (four earned) over four innings, striking out three and walking seven.

Mousseau drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Black Sox with three runs batted in. The first baseman went 2-for-5 on the day. Mousseau, Masse, Walker, and Allard each collected two hits for the Soo. The Black Sox had a strong eye at the plate, amassing nine walks for the game. Lucas Carriere and Chase Cerasuolo led the team with two walks each. The Soo turned one double play in the game.

Capital City collected 11 hits in the game. Moore led the Kings with two runs batted in from the number eight spot in the lineup. They went 2-for-4 on the day. Moore, Beals, and Eden Ackley each collected two hits for the Kings. Capital City turned one double play in the game.
In their final game of the weekend for the Black Sox, the Soo took on the Midland q7U Explorers on Saturday. The Black Sox fell to the Midland Explorers 17U with a loss of 5-2 for the Explorers.

A solo home run to right field by Cole Masse put the Black Sox on the board in the top of the first. Midland scored on a wild pitch, which helped the Explorers tie the game at one in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the third, Midland broke up the tie when Elijah Kell was struck by a pitch, driving in a run. Then a single by Ben Vansummeran followed to extend the lead to 3-1.

Michael Hapanovich started the game for the Black Sox. They allowed six hits and three runs over four innings, striking out three and walking two. Liam Heinz started the game for the Explorers. They surrendered five hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out five and walking two. Masse and Carter Young each drove in one run for the Soo. Keyton Mousseau led the Black Sox with two hits in three at bats. The Soo turned one double play in the game. The Black Sox were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Mousseau made the most plays with seven.

Vansummeran drove the middle of the lineup, leading Midland with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-3 on the day. Vansummeran and Charlie Sabin each collected two hits for the Explorers.

The Black Sox displayed resilience and determination throughout, bouncing back from setbacks with focused play and strategic adjustments. Each game brought its own challenges, but the players maintained a unified effort and showcased their skills on both offense and defense. The weekend’s success not only underscored their growth as a team but also provided valuable momentum heading into future competitions.

With each game, they continue to strengthen their cohesion and sharpen their competitive edge, making strides towards achieving their season goals.

The Black Sox displayed resilience and determination throughout, bouncing back from setbacks with focused play and strategic adjustments. Each game brought its own challenges, but the players maintained a unified effort and showcased their skills on both offense and defense. The weekend’s success not only underscored their growth as a team but also provided valuable momentum heading into future competitions. With each game, they continue to strengthen their cohesion and sharpen their competitive edge, making strides towards achieving their season goals.

Next up for the Black Sox is when they play at home on Tuesday, July 9th at 5:00 p.m against the EUP Woodducks at IDA Park in Sault Ste Marie.