Photo Credit: Kayla Beharriell
Over the June 26th to 28th weekend, the Sault 15U Black Sox crossed the International Bridge to compete in the annual Soo Woodducks Tournament against several strong regional opponents. The tournament provided the Black Sox with another opportunity to gain valuable game experience while continuing their development against quality competition. Throughout the weekend, the team showcased determination, teamwork, and resilience as they represented Sault Ste Marie on both sides of the border.
The Woodducks scored eight runs in the fourth inning, which helped them defeat the Black Sox 12-1 on Friday, June 26th at Laucks Field in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
A single by Ethan Myers put the Black Sox on the board in the top of the first.
The Woodducks jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the second inning after the Black Sox committed an error, and Johnson walked, each scoring one run.
The Woodducks added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Mictchell singled down the right field line, and the Woodducks scored on a wild pitch, each scoring one run.
The Woodducks scored eight runs on seven hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jones singled, scoring one run, Mictchell doubled, scoring two runs, Bontrager doubled, scoring one run, Becker doubled, scoring one run, Odell singled, scoring one run, and Johnson tripled, scoring two runs.
Brayden Boulrice led things off on the bump for the Black Sox. The hurler surrendered five hits and four runs over two innings, striking out four and walking two. Johnson opened the game for the Woodducks. The pitcher gave up three hits and zero runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking one.
Ethan Myers led the Black Sox with one run batted in. The left-handed hitter went 2-for-2 on the day. Freddy Slukynsky stole two bases.
The Woodducks tallied 12 hits in the game. Mictchell led the Woodducks with three hits in three at bats. Becker collected two hits for the Woodducks in three at bats. Mitchell stole three bases. The Woodducks were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Morrison had the most chances in the field with seven.
Game two of the weekend took place later on Friday with the Black Sox scoring five runs in the fifth inning, which helped them defeat Post 44 Reds 8-2 on Friday at James Field in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Kaleb Marrelli singled, scoring one run, Brayden Boulrice drew a walk, scoring one run, and Luke Thorburn tripled, scoring three runs.
The Soo got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Boulrice doubled, scoring one run, and Gavin Bisaillon singled, scoring two runs.
Bisaillon earned the win for the Black Sox. The hurler gave up four hits and two runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking eight. James Anderson took the loss for the Reds. The hurler went one inning, surrendering two runs on one hit, striking out none and walking one. Preston Cromell started on the mound for the Reds. The pitcher surrendered five hits and three runs (two earned) over three and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking two. Damian Beharriell threw one and one-third innings of scoreless ball for the Black Sox in relief. The righty allowed zero hits, striking out three and walking two.
Thorburn went 2-for-2 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Thorburn and Marrelli each collected two hits for the Black Sox.
Trey Niemi led the Reds with two runs batted in. The outfielder went 1-for-1 on the day. Niemi, Aidan Mason, Cromell, and Daniel Verlin each collected one hit for the Reds. Jonas Snapp led the Reds with three walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying 10 walks for the game. The Reds turned one double play in the game.
In game three of the weekend and to open Saturday’s action, the Negaunee 17U Diamonds kept adding on runs in a 7-0 victory over the Soo Black Sox on Saturday at Laucks Field.
The Diamonds got on the board in the top of the first inning after Killean Ryan doubled to the left side of the infield, and Evan Armatti tripled to center field, each scoring one run.
Negaunee added one run in the second after Waylon Harvala lined out.
The Diamonds added one run in the third after Ryan singled to the left side of the infield.
Lux Harris earned the win for Negaunee. The hurler surrendered five hits and zero runs over six innings, striking out five and walking four. Luca D’Ulisse took the loss for the Soo. The hurler went four and one-third innings, allowing six runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking four.
Mitch McLeod and Luke Thorburn each collected two hits for the Black Sox.
Negaunee accumulated 13 hits in the game. Armatti provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Diamonds with two runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-1 on the day. Harvala, Ryan, and Landon Steele each collected two hits for Negaunee. Harvala stole two bases. Negaunee stole seven bases in the game. The Diamonds turned one double play in the game. Negaunee were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Harris had the most chances in the field with six.
In their final round robin game of the weekend on June 27th, the Black Sox lost to The Gladstone 17U Indians 9-5 on Saturday at Laucks Field even though they once led by four runs.
The Soo jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Ethan Myers singled, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, and Damian Beharriell drew a walk, scoring one run.
Gladstone flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fifth, scoring seven runs on four hits to take the lead, 9-5. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Eli Cooper following a 6-pitch at-bat that drove in two.
Braxton Breitenbach earned the win for the Indians. The right-handed pitcher surrendered three hits and four runs (two earned) over three and one-third innings, striking out none and walking three. Luke Thorburn took the loss for the Black Sox. The righty went four and one-third innings, giving up nine runs (four earned) on 10 hits, striking out two and walking three.
Myers went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Soo in hits. Beharriell and Myers each drove in one run for the Black Sox.
The Indians 17U tallied 10 hits in the game. Dillon Nelson led Gladstone with three hits in three at bats. Cole Watchorn and Brayden Lancour each drove in two runs for the Indians. Cooper collected two hits for Gladstone in two at bats. Nelson stole two bases. The Indians ran wild on the base paths, collecting seven stolen bases for the game.
In their second meeting of the weekend, the Black Sox took to the diamond to face the Negaunee 17U Diamonds after being shutout 7-0 earlier in the Woodducks tournament in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. The BlackSox couldn’t keep up with the Diamonds and fell 8-1 on Sunday at James Field.
The Soo were the first to get on the board in the first when Gavin Bisaillon drew a walk, scoring one run.
Negaunee jumped into the lead in the top of the fourth when Killean Ryan doubled, scoring one run, Griffin Leece tripled, scoring two runs, and Leece scored after tagging up.
Connor Munson earned the win for the Diamonds. The starter allowed two hits and one run (zero earned) over six innings, striking out five and walking four. Damian Beharriell took the loss for the Black Sox. The starting pitcher went five innings, surrendering eight runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking four.
Bisaillon led the Soo with one run batted in. Beharriell and Brayden Boulrice each collected one hit for the Black Sox. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game. The Black Sox were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Freddy Slukynsky made the most plays with four.
Ryan provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Negaunee Diamonds with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 on the day. Evan Armatti stole two bases. The Diamonds ran wild on the base paths, amassing six stolen bases for the game.
Next action for the Black Sox will be a doubleheader when they take on the Northern Michigan Patriots on JUly 7th with game times of 4:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m.
