In exciting action over the weekend at Sinclair Yards, the 9U Black Sox program has been crowned the 2024 OBA (Ontario Baseball Association) provincial champions for the third straight year in a row. It was three years ago that the program brought home the very first 9U championship banner in the association’s history, in which two players and a coach from this team were a part of. This was also the second year that Soo Minor Baseball hosted the 9U provincial championships in partnership with Ontario Baseball. The event drew 12 teams from across the province to Sault Ste. Marie for the long weekend to participate in the double elimination tournament.
Although the weather played some havoc on the fields, the games started on Friday night as scheduled. The Black Sox opened the tournament with a win against the Milton Mets after the Mets came into the game to take a 5-3 led after the first inning. The Soo was able to tie the game in the third inning, and then got their bats going in the fourth to take the lead and win 15-5. The Soo went on to play the North Bay Panthers and after a 2-run homerun by Thomas Hirvi in the 1st inning, they were able to score 6 runs after 2. Both teams played strong defensive games, and no runs were scored by either team again until the sixth inning, as the Soo came away with the victory with a score of 9-2. The Black Sox beat the Innisfil Cardinals next 10-1, and would see the Thornhill Reds next, a rematch of the finals from 2023. There was no score until the third inning, and after 4 innings the score was 2-1 for the Soo. Some great offensive plays led the Soo to win 6-4. With four teams remaining on championship Sunday, the Soo matched up against Midland in a 2-2 tie game after 2 innings. The Soo was able to jump to a 5-2 lead in the 3rd inning with a 3-run home run by Landon Morley, and never looked back to clinch their spot in the championship game by a score of 15-2. Thornhill also punched their ticket to the finals, and both teams came to play in an exciting championship game. Great plays were made in the field by both teams as only run was scored by each team after 4 innings. Heading into the 5th inning 1-1, the Soo was able to blow the game wide open by scoring 6 runs. Thornhill did not score again in the game as the Soo was able to shut them down in the field and secure their Championship win undefeated at provincials.
The Black Sox had a remarkable season undefeated in provincials and recorded games and went 35-1 overall. They also won the Forest Glade Falcons Dedicated Select tournament as well as the Muskoka Cup A tournament representing the city of Sault Ste. Marie.
When you reach this level of competition at provincials, tensions are high, and each member of this team was able to come together to reach their goal – a provincial championship.
“Throughout the year our kids were great teammates and pushed each other to be better baseball players. The coaches had clear expectations of attitude and effort early in the season. This team really showed what you always need in addition to talent is effort, attitude, teamwork, motivation, and discipline to be as successful as we were. This team never dwelled on the mistakes but moved forward together getting better each time we stepped on the field. The energy and passion from this group of young ball players really made our job easy and will left a mark on us coaches. As the season comes to an end and we look back I can’t lie and say I am not going to miss these boys, parents, and our staff”, commented head coach Ryan Palahnuk.
Players: Back: Mason DiDonato, Lucas Farand, Reid Entwistle, Landon Morley, Theo Rome, Reece Hunter, Jax Palahnuk, Thomas Hirvi, Hudson Myers
Front: Oliver Holtom, Jacob Schoenauer, Reed Kneulman
Coaches: Ryan Palahnuk, Jay Hunter, Tom Farand, Brad Entwistle, Chris Myers
Manager: Michelle Morley
