Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

The Soo 18U Black Sox concluded their tournament on the road with a hard-fought record of 2-3 over the July 12th to 14th weekend in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, the Black Sox demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit throughout. Despite facing tough opponents and challenging conditions, their players showcase their talent and determination in each game. Victories were hard-earned, marked by strategic plays and clutch performances under pressure. 

In game one of the weekend, the Black Sox rolled past the Northern Michigan Patriots on Friday, 14-4.

The Soo were the first to get on the board in the first when Caleb Walker hit a solo home run to center field. The Black Sox added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Thomas Keough laid down a sacrifice bunt, the Patriots (Over 18)) committed an error, and Cole Masse lined out, each scoring one run.  The Black Sox added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Kolton Tremblay singled, Carter Young singled, and Connor Bruzas grounded out, each scoring one run.

Hunter Thorkilson earned the win for the Soo. They gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking two. Derk Boerman took the loss for Northern Michigan. The right-handed pitcher went two and one-third innings, allowing seven runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking three. Michael Hapanovich appeared in relief for Soo Black Sox.

The Black Sox tallied 10 hits in the game. Tremblay drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Soo with three runs batted in. They went 3-for-4 on the day. Keyton Mousseau, Masse, and Walker each collected multiple hits for the Black Sox. The Soo had patience at the plate, piling up seven walks for the game. Lucas DiBerardino, Keough, and Walker led the team with two bases on balls each. The Black Sox turned two double plays in the game.

Parker Hoover, Boerman, Joe Ruthig, Andru Vernale, and James Charboneau each collected one hit for the Patriots. Hoover, Ruthig, and Vernale each drove in one run for Northern Michigan.

In game two of the weekend, the fifth-inning burst was enough to lead the Escanaba Cubs past the Black Sox.

The Cubs defeated the Black Sox 9-0 on Friday thanks in part to five runs in the fifth inning. Escanaba got on the board in the bottom of the third inning after Eli Gardner hit a sacrifice fly, the Black Sox committed an error, Bon LaChance doubled, and Ashton Rymkos singled, each scoring one run.

Escanaba scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rymkos singled, scoring one run, Matt Kaven was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Jacob Mileski was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, and Nick Chiu singled, scoring two runs.

Adrian Mercier earned the win for the Cubs. The starting pitcher allowed three hits and zero runs over six innings, striking out four and walking two. Lucas Carriere took the loss for the Soo. The starting pitcher went two and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (zero earned) on two hits, striking out none and walking one.

Carriere, Carter Young, and Caleb Walker each collected one hit for the Soo. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game. Rymkos led the Cubs with two hits in three at bats. Chiu and Rymkos each drove in two runs for Escanaba.

Game three on Saturday, the Soo Black Claim Victory Over Ishpeming with the Black Sox bested Ishpeming 4-2 on Saturday.

The Black Sox got on the board in the top of the second inning after Lucas Carriere was struck by a pitch, and Ishpeming committed an error, each scoring one run. Caleb Walker earned the win for the Black Sox. The right-handed pitcher gave up four hits and one run over four innings, striking out seven and walking three. Ruooskpakka took the loss for Ishpeming. They went seven innings, giving up four runs (one earned) on 11 hits, striking out eight and walking one. Kolton Tremblay collected the save. Cole Masse threw two innings of shutout ball for the Soo in relief. The right-handed pitcher surrendered zero hits, striking out three and walking none.

The Black Sox accumulated 11 hits in the game. Keyton Mousseau, Lucas DiBerardino, and Walker each collected two hits for the Soo. Tremblay, Carriere, and Walker each drove in one run for the Black Sox. The Soo were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. DiBerardino made the most plays with 14. Yuhas, Hares, Markham, and Nelson each collected one hit for Ishpeming. Markham stole three bases. Ishpeming turned one double play in the game.

Next up for the Black Sox was a game against the EUP Woodducks on Saturday with a big second inning leading the Woodducks past the Soo. EUP scored six runs in the second inning, which helped them defeat the Soo 10-1 on Saturday.

EUP jumped out to the lead in the top of the second inning after Medrick drew a walk, scoring one run, Ogden singled, scoring one run, Gorsuch drew a walk, scoring one run, Wilson singled, scoring one run, and M Bontrager hit a sacrifice fly, scoring two runs.

The Woodducks added one run in the third. Gorsuch hit a sacrifice fly, making the score 7-1. Gorsuch earned the win for EUP. The starting pitcher surrendered four hits and one run (zero earned) over six innings, striking out eight and walking two. Chase Cerasuolo pitched five innings in relief for the Soo. The reliever gave up seven hits and four runs while, striking out three and walking three. Kolton Tremblay took the loss for the Black Sox. The starting pitcher went one inning, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits, striking out none and walking two. Lucas Carriere led the Soo with two hits in three at bats from the leadoff position.

The Woodducks tallied 13 hits in the game. Number seven hitter, Maurer, showed the depth of the Woodducks’ lineup, by leading them with three hits in three at bats. Bontrager and Gorsuch each drove in two runs for EUP. Chambers, Ogden, and Lumsden each collected multiple hits for EUP. The Woodducks were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Samuelson had the most chances in the field with eight. 

In the semi-final in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, the Black Sox fell after a strong showing by the Escanaba Cubs.

The Soo Black couldn’t keep up with the Cubs and fell 8-0 on Sunday morning.

Escanaba got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Bon LaChance doubled, Ashton Rymkos singled, and Bryce Blixt grounded out, each scoring one run. The Cubs extended their early lead with four runs in the bottom of the second thanks to RBI singles by LaChance and Matt Kaven.

LaChance earned the win for Escanaba. The starting pitcher gave up three hits and zero runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking four. Cole Masse took the loss for the Soo. The righty went five innings, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits, striking out four and walking one. Kolton Tremblay led the Black Sox with two hits in three at bats.

Escanaba tallied 11 hits in the game. Rymkos led the Cubs with three hits in three at bats. LaChance and Kaven each drove in two runs for Escanaba. Eli Gardner collected two hits for the Cubs in four at bats.

The Black Sox will now return home for a doubleheader on Wednesday, July 17th at IDA Park against the Rudyard Baseball Club with start times of 4:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m in Sault Ste Marie.