The Soo Selects 13U and the Soo Black Sox 13U played in a friendly game on Thursday, August 22, 2024. After 7 innings of baseball, the Black Sox edged out a 4-0 victory. It was the first time the two local teams played each other this season.
The game between the local clubs served as a tune-up for the Black Sox’s upcoming participation in the provincial “Dedicated Selects” SOBA tournament, occurring in the Village of Waterdown, Hamilton, on Labour Day weekend.
Black Sox starting pitcher Josh Jameus picked up the win on the mound, going 3 scoreless innings with 1 strikeout, while Devon Grbich recorded 3 scoreless innings in relief. Jameus and Grbich, the two innings-pitched leaders for the Black Sox this season, will look to carry that momentum into Labour Day weekend.
Soo Selects pitcher Gregory Beckerson threw 5 innings in the game, striking out 9 batters, while holding the Black Sox to 3 hits. Beckerson also added a double at the plate, which was the only extra base hit for either team in the low-scoring affair. Left hander Brayden Boulrice added 2 innings pitched in relief for the Selects, striking out 3 batters.
“It was a well played game by both teams, with each throwing their best against each other,” said head coach of the 13U Selects, Pat Henderson. “Both teams played flawless defence. Our team walked away feeling very good about this game. I would like to wish the best to the 13U Black Sox team in their upcoming provincial select tournament, and hope they defend their title.”
This game marks the end of the season for the Selects 13U. “The players put in a lot of work this season and they were great to coach all year,” Henderson added.
The game was the closest a 13U Soo Select team has come to defeating a 13U Soo Black Sox team since
July 31, 2010, when the Soo All-Stars 13U tied the Soo Black Sox 13U by a score of 12-12 in the 2010 Black Sox Invitational Tournament.
Sault Ste. Marie will also be hosting the 9U Dedicated Selects provincial tournament over Labour Day weekend. The Black Sox 9U team will look to defend its provincial title having won the tournament each of the previous two years. Details are available at www.sooball.com. All are welcome and encouraged to attend at Sinclair Yards for the tournament.
