2013 BANTAM MAJOR OBA CHAMPS!!!
The LaSalle Titans Bantam Majors won the OBA Championship in Sault Ste Marie over the Labor Day weekend. The Titans went 6-0 in the tournament defeating last years champion in the final game.
Our 15U Titans defied the odds, five other teams, including last year’s OBA defending champions The Peterborough Tigers, and the weather to go undefeated in “The Soo” over the Labor Day weekend. “Undefeated,” or “going 6-0,” sounds like they had an easy time at the OBA Provincial Tournament; it was anything but easy. They had a difficult and grueling weekend but they never complained and they overcame anything and everything that was thrown at them.
Here are the scores of the games:
Game 1 against Oakville – 10 to 6
Game 2 against Sault Ste. Marie – 10 to 3
Game 3 against Barrie – 14 to 1
Game 4 against Peterborough – 7 to 2
Game 5 against Hamilton – 7 to 5
Game 6 against Peterborough – 8 to 4
The weather could not have been less cooperative. Heavy rain throughout the weekend caused the Friday games to be postponed, so the team played three games on Saturday, with the last game ending about 11:30pm. More weather battles with the rolling fog so heavy at times during the game, that the outfielders were barely visible. Sunday was not much better: The first game went well even though the boys had maybe 7 hours of sleep. The 5th game, (2nd to be played on Sunday) was also the semifinal game, against Hamilton was one that just didn't seem like we would ever finish. There was a rain delay not just once but twice, the second one causing us to come back the next morning to finish with only 4 outs left in the game. There was so much water on the diamond the catcher and batter were both standing in puddles at home plate. (Be sure to check out the pictures!) Our boys came out strong after both delays to make it to the Championship game against the defending Champs who were hungry for a repeat.
Some of the highlight accomplishments were Dylan McKenzie, Jordan Palazzi and Nick Philbin getting 8 hits apiece and each one batting .471 for the weekend. The team rallied and supported the pitching of Matthew Abbruzzese, Nick Langley, Jordan Palazzi and Dylan McKenzie.
The final game was very exciting, with a few lead changes. Of course it wouldn't have been complete without 12 degree temps, a light rain and wind. These boys never let up, none of them let it faze them, they were focused and determined and they played through the exhaustion, cold and wet. They were laughing and hollering and cheering and supporting each other the entire game. It was a great way, no it was a PERFECT way, to end the season.
Congratulations boys, the weekend could not have turned out any better.