The Soo 15U Black Sox traveled to Norway, Michigan, from July 24–26 to compete in the 2026 Michigan Veterans League Playoffs. The tournament featured a double-elimination format, with teams battling for a chance to capture the 2026 Michigan Veterans League Championship.
In their opening game of the weekend in Norway on July 24th, it came down to the wire on Friday, as the Soo grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 7-6, over the Norway Vikings. The Black Sox were down 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Devon Grbich homered to left field, scoring two runs.
The Black Sox opened the scoring in the first after Mitch McLeod was struck by a pitch, driving in a run.
The Vikings captured the lead, 2-1, in the top of the fourth after Gavin Yauch laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Dylan Erickson singled to center field, each scoring one run.
The Soo jumped into the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Brayden Boulrice singled, scoring two runs, and Grbich drew a walk, scoring one run.
Norway captured the lead, 6-4, in the top of the sixth after Erickson singled down the left field line, Hunter Langin walked, and Jack Bourdage grounded into a double play, each scoring one run.
The Black Sox made the score 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth after Freddy Slukynsky drew a walk, scoring one run, and Grbich homered to left field, scoring two runs.
Damian Beharriell earned the win for the Soo. The reliever allowed zero hits and zero runs over one inning, striking out one and walking one. Jaxson Walker took the loss for the Vikings. The right-handed pitcher went one-third of an inning, giving up two runs on one hit, striking out none and walking one. Gavin Bisaillon stepped on the hill first for the Black Sox. The pitcher gave up six hits and two runs over four innings, striking out none and walking one. Yauch stepped on the bump first for the Vikings. The pitcher allowed five hits and four runs over three and one-third innings, striking out three and walking five. Ethan Myers appeared in relief for the Soo.
Grbich went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with three runs batted in. Slukynsky paced the Black Sox with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Soo Blacksox 15U 2026 turned two double plays in the game.
Yauch and Erickson each collected two hits for the Vikings. Erickson led Norway with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-3 on the day.
In game two of the weekend in Norway on Saturday afternoon, the Black Sox outsted Sagola Post 168-Felch, 5-2.
Sagola Post 168-Felch got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Daniel Doers doubled down the left field line, and Martin Husing grounded out, each scoring one run.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Soo went back into the lead after Devon Grbich doubled down the left field line, Luke Thorburn was struck by a pitch, Mitch McLeod laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Angus Bell singled down the left field line, each scoring one run.
Luca D’Ulisse earned the win for the Black Sox. The hurler surrendered one hit and zero runs over two and one-third innings, striking out two and walking one. Hunter Grenier took the loss for Sagola Post 168-Felch. The pitcher went five and one-third innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) on three hits, striking out none and walking two. Damian Beharriell led things off on the mound for the Soo. The starter allowed two hits and two runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking five.
Thorburn, Ethan Myers, Grbich, Bell, and Freddy Slukynsky each collected one hit for the Black Sox. McLeod, Thorburn, Gavin Bisaillon, Grbich, and Bell each drove in one run for Soo Blacksox 15U 2026. Bisaillon stole two bases.
Doers led Sagola Post 168-Felch with two hits in four at bats. Sagola Post 168-Felch had a strong eye at the plate, tallying six walks for the game. Gavin Winters and Grenier led the team with two walks each.
After narrowing defeating the Vikings in game one of the 2026 Michigan Veterans League Playoffs, the Black Sox returned to action on Sunday afternoon to meet the Vikings
In the 2026 2026 Michigan Veterans League championship game in Norway, a late score costs the Black Sox against the Vikings.
The Soo stayed in it until the end, but Vikings pulled away late in a 5-4 victory on Sunday. The game was tied at four in the bottom of the fourth when Tristan Lessor grounded out, scoring one run.
The Black Sox opened the scoring in the first after Luke Thorburn hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
Jaxson Walker singled down the right field line, which helped Norway tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.
The Soo took the lead, 4-1, in the top of the third thanks to singles by Angus Bell, and Kaleb Marrelli.
The Vikings captured the lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the fourth when Hunter Ziller singled, scoring one run, Walker singled, scoring two runs, and Lessor grounded out, scoring one run.
Gavin Yauch earned the win for the Vikings. The hurler allowed zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking three. Devon Grbich took the loss for the Black Sox. The hurler went three and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking three. Walker stepped on the mound first for the Vikings. The hurler surrendered four hits and four runs (three earned) over three innings, striking out two and walking three.
Bell, the number seven hitter for the Soo, led the way with two runs batted in. Bell went 1-for-3 on the day.
Marrelli, Gavin Bisaillon, Bell, and Freddy Slukynsky each collected one hit for the Black Sox. Slukynsky led the Soo with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting six walks for the game. The Blacks Sox were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Marrelli made the most plays with four.
Walker drove the middle of the lineup, leading Norway with three runs batted in. The 3-hole hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Walker stole three bases.
With the 2026 Michigan Veterans League Playoffs being a double eliminated format, the Black Sox and Vikings played back to back contests Sunday afternoon to determine the 2026 Michigan Veterans League Playoffs champions.
In the 2026 Michigan Veterans League Playoff championships game, the Soo defeated Vikings, 9-4.
The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the first inning after Gavin Bisaillon doubled to center field, Angus Bell grounded out, and Brayden Boulrice grounded out, each scoring one run.
Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a double by Tristan Lessor, and a steal of home by Lessor.
In the top of the fourth, the Soo broke up the tie when Luke Thorburn drew a walk, scoring one run. Then an error followed to extend the lead to 5-3.
Bisaillon earned the win for the Black Sox. The southpaw gave up eight hits and four runs over four innings, striking out three and walking three. Gavin Yauch took the loss for Norway. The southpaw went three and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on four hits, striking out none and walking three. Ethan Myers collected the save.
Thorburn and Bisaillon were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for the Black Sox. Luca D’Ulisse led the Soo with two hits in two at bats. The Black Sox had patience at the plate, accumulating 10 walks for the game. Mitch McLeod, Myers, and Freddy Slukynsky led the team with two bases on balls each. The Black Sox didn’t commit a single error in the field. Thorburn had the most chances in the field with five.
The Vikings amassed 10 hits in the game. Lessor drove the middle of the lineup, leading Norway with two runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Landon Debakker and Lessor each collected three hits for Vikings. Lessor stole two bases.
Coach Jason Thorburn told Saultsports that “The biggest key to this teams success was the players ability to battle and have grit which we have talked about since January in the gym. Our players’ attitude, effort, and attention to detail is getting better and better as the summer goes along. All 12 players have bought into playing for each other and staying positive. Our pitchers threw strikes, the defense really came to play as we only made three errors in four games, and our offense had timely hitting when we needed it.”
“The coaching staff couldn’t be any prouder of these 12 boys. We had nine new players come together this season and they have quickly become a team. As the pressure increased in the playoffs and the championship game we never tried to do too much individually; they trusted each other, stayed positive and focused on playing Black Sox baseball. Watching this team grow from an almost brand new team into playoff champions has been extremely rewarding. I believe the way they handled the biggest moments says everything about this team’s identity,” said Thorburn.
Finally Thorburn added, “being MVB playoff champions to me as a coach is seeing all the hardwork, commitment and growth from day one pay off. As a player I hope they realize that when they play as a team, work hard in practice, and stay positive we can accomplish a lot. This baseball season hasn’t always been easy for the players. Winning the playoffs was not an easy feat either. Game one was down by two runs going into the last inning and we battled back to win, game 2 was down by 1 run going into the last inning and once again we battled back to win. In the championship we had to lose twice and lost the 1st game by one run. Playing game two of the championship immediately after game one our boys had to forget about that loss, which isn’t always easy to do. Our boys did that and it paid off. To our families the coaching staff thanks you for your patience and time commitment. They are the ones who sacrifice their summer to let these boys play the game they love. A special thanks goes out to Henderson Metal who has very generously sponsored us for three straight years and keeps the boys fed and hydrated every time we play. The coaching staff is confident that this team now knows what it takes to be a championship caliber team. We are confident that we are a team to be taken seriously when we travel to Muskoka on labour day weekend for the provincial championship.”
Next up for the Black Sox will be on Tuesday, July 28th when the Soo heads across the St Mary’s River to take on the E.U.P Wood Ducks in a doubleheader with opening pitches of 4:15 p.m and 6:00 p.m.
Photo Credit: Kayla Beharriell
