The Soo U18 Black Sox headed across the St Mary’s River to take part in the 2023 Soo Michigan Tournament over the Friday, July 7th to Sunday, July 9th weekend.

On Sunday, July 9th, the Soo U18 Black Sox took to the diamond to face the Cubs in the semi – final of the 2023 Soo Michigan Tournament after finishing the round robin with a 2 – 1 record where both teams were strong on the bump, but Cubs 2023 was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3-1 victory over Soo Black Sox 18U. Nolan Toni started the game for Soo Black Sox 18U and recorded 15 outs.

Soo Black Sox 18U lost despite out-hitting Cubs 2023 11 to four. Caleb Walker led Soo Black Sox 18U with three hits.

Soo Black Sox 18U got on the board in the third inning after Walker singled, scoring one run.

Nick Chiu hit a sacrifice fly, which helped Cubs 2023 tie the game at one in the bottom of the third.

A single by Bryce Blixt gave Cubs 2023 the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the fifth.

Trent Turchin earned the win for Cubs 2023. The starting pitcher surrendered 11 hits and one run over seven innings, striking out two and walking one. Toni took the loss for Soo Black Sox 18U. The righty went five innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out none and walking two.

Soo Black Sox 18U accumulated 11 hits in the game. Walker led Soo Black Sox 18U with one run batted in. The 3-hole hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Michael Starzomski and Ty Beaupre each collected multiple hits for Soo Black Sox 18U. Soo Black Sox 18U turned one double play in the game.

Eli Gardner and Blixt each collected two hits for Cubs 2023. Chiu, Bon LaChance, and Blixt each drove in one run for Cubs 2023. Gardner stole two bases. Cubs 2023 turned one double play in the game.
Against the Marquette Legion Blues on Saturday afternoon, the Soo Black Sox 18U won big over Marquette Legion Blues 18-9 on Saturday at James field.

Soo Black Sox 18U got on the board in the top of the first inning after Kolton Tremblay doubled, and Cole Masse grounded out, each scoring one run.

Soo Black Sox 18U added one run in the second. Michael Starzomski grounded out, making the score 3-0.

Marquette Legion Blues made the score 4-3 in the bottom of the second after AJ Martin doubled, scoring one run, an error scored one run, and Keith Juidici singled, scoring two runs.

Soo Black Sox 18U jumped back into the lead in the top of the third inning after Masse singled, Caleb Walker hit a sacrifice fly, and Marquette Legion Blues committed an error, each scoring one run.

Soo Black Sox 18U scored five runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning. Starzomski hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Colin Sirois drew a walk, scoring one run, Connor Bruzas was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, and Tremblay doubled, scoring two runs.

Soo Black Sox 18U scored five runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning. An error scored one run, Starzomski singled, scoring one run, Sirois singled, scoring one run, Carter Young drew a walk, scoring one run, and Tremblay hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.

Matthew Forsey earned the win for Soo Black Sox 18U. The righty gave up eight hits and seven runs (two earned) over six innings, striking out two and walking none. Dakota Maki took the loss for Marquette Legion Blues. They went four innings, surrendering 10 runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out five and walking one. Gibson Jezewski started the game for Marquette Legion Blues. The right-handed pitcher surrendered four hits and five runs over two innings, striking out none and walking two. Michael Hapanovich appeared in relief for Soo Black Sox 18U.

Soo Black Sox 18U tallied 13 hits in the game. Forsey, Bruzas, and Tremblay each collected two hits for Soo Black Sox 18U. Tremblay provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Soo Black Sox 18U with four runs batted in. The 3-hole hitter went 2-for-4 on the day.

Juidici and Easton Miller each collected two hits for Marquette Legion Blues. Juidici and Miller each drove in two runs for Marquette Legion Blues.

Game two of the weekend in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan on Saturday, July 8th, the Soo Black Sox 18U lost to Cubs 2023 9-6 on Saturday at James Field.

Soo Black Sox 18U got on the board in the top of the first inning after Carter Young walked, and Soo Black Sox 18U scored on a wild pitch, each scoring one run.

Soo Black Sox 18U added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Connor Bruzas hit into a fielder’s choice, and Cubs 2023 committed an error, each scoring one run.

Cubs 2023 flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on four hits to take a 6-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Bon LaChance that drove in two.

Soo Black Sox 18U tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a single by Matthew Forsey, and a play.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cubs 2023 broke up the tie when an error scored one run. Then an error followed to extend the lead to 8-6.

LaChance earned the win for Cubs 2023. They allowed three hits and six runs (four earned) over four innings, striking out seven and walking six. Cole Masse pitched three and two-thirds innings in relief for Soo Black Sox 18U. They surrendered five hits and three runs (one earned) while, striking out four and walking one. Kolton Tremblay took the loss for Soo Black Sox 18U. The starting pitcher went two and one-third innings, allowing six runs on three hits, striking out two and walking four.

Soo Black Sox 18U’s Forsey made the most of their chances at the plate. The number nine hitter led the team with two hits in two at bats. Colin Sirois led Soo Black Sox 18U with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game.

Eli Gardner went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Cubs 2023 in hits. LaChance and Gardner each drove in two runs for Cubs 2023.
On Friday evening in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, the Soo U18 Black Sox opened the 2023 Soo Michigan Tournament against Ishpeming with the Soo Black Sox 18U beating Ishpeming 7-3 on Friday at Laucks Field.

Soo Black Sox 18U were the first to get on the board in the first when an error scored one run.

Soo Black Sox 18U added one run in the second after Cole Masse doubled.

Soo Black Sox 18U added one run in the third. Caleb Walker singled after a 7-pitch at-bat, making the score 3-0.

Owen Daynard earned the win for Soo Black Sox 18U. The starting pitcher allowed one hit and three runs (one earned) over six innings, striking out eight and walking two. R Maki took the loss for Ishpeming. They went one and one-third innings, giving up zero runs on zero hits, striking out three and walking one. M Bendield stepped on the hill first for Ishpeming. The starting pitcher surrendered four hits and three runs (two earned) over two innings, striking out three and walking three.

Michael Starzomski, Masse, Lucas Carriere, Lucas DiBerardino, Connor Bruzas, Walker, and Keyton Mousseau each collected one hit for Soo Black Sox 18U. Mousseau went 1-for-3 at the plate as they led the team with two runs batted in. Michael Hapanovich led Soo Black Sox 18U with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying eight walks for the game. Kolton Tremblay stole three bases. Soo Black Sox 18U stole eight bases in the game.

I Ruspakka led Ishpeming with one hit in two at bats. H Smith stole two bases. Ishpeming turned one double play in the game.