Aug 18, 2017 | amedhurst | 1281 views
Perth County Chrysler Mosquitos Lose in Division 1 WOBA Tournament Semi Finals
The end of a very successful season for the Perth County Chrysler Mosquito team came to an end in dramatic fashion at the year end WOBA tournament. The Astos bowed out to the Southwest Select Scorpions in extra innings after a dramatic last inning rally. The Astros, as the 7th seed in division 1, lost to the number one seeded Scorpions in the Semi Finals on Sunday in a fantastic game of baseball.
Their journey began on Friday afternoon, as the Astros would face the number 2 seeded Flesherton Major Rangers. The Astros, who were the visitors in this game, took the lead early and would not look back. Jack Small was the starter on the mound and he went the distance only allowing 1 hit and 1 run in 4 innings. He also struck out 3, and used his 73rd pitch of the game to record the last out as the Astros would hand the Rangers a 14-1 mercy after 4 innings. The big bats were alive on this afternoon and would smash out several extra base hits. Ben Medhurst would hit a three run home run and also double in the game leading the potent attack. Noah Mann would also collect two doubles and Ethan Martinez-Reid would add another double to his season total. Mann and Jack Miller would add three runs each. Excellent team defence would be on display as several outs were recorded behind Small, as only three Rangers would reach base safely.
The second game would be Saturday morning against the 3rd seed Listowel Legionnaires 2 team. In a soggy affair, the Astros would use strong pitching efforts of starter Caleb Templeman, middle reliever Noah Mann and lock down closer Lincoln Perrie, to hold Listowel to 3 runs. Finding themselves down by 2 after the visitors half of the first, the hometown Astros would jump on the Listowel starter quickly. Templeman would lead off the game with a single, Nicholson would walk and Medhurst would drive in the first run with another double. Miller would cash two with a hard hit single up the middle to wrap up the scoring in the first. Listowel would tie things up in the second, and were looking to take the lead in their half of the third. With the bases loaded and Listowel's strongest hitter at the plate, Templeman, at short stop, would make the third out unassisted as he snagged a hard grounder and stepped on second for the third out. This would prove to be the TSN turning point, as the Astros gained momentum after the stellar defensive play. In the home half of the fourth, Mann would earn a walk off of the Listowel ace pitcher. Perrie would use his speed to earn an infield single and score Mann for the eventual game winning run and the Astro bench was hopping! Martinez-Reid would cash Perrie, and after a Keagan Meinen walk, Small would cash Mitchell's 6th run with an RBI single. Perrie would come on for the save in the 5th, using only 10 pitches to record 3 outs. This would earn the Astros a berth into the playoff round for Sunday.
Saturday afternoon the Astros would play the Listowel Legionnaires #3 team in a battle for first place in their division. Team defence was an issue on this afternoon, as the ball was booted several times and extra outs were given to Listowel and they were able to win 13-7 handing Mitchell second place in the pool. Strong pitching efforts by Ethan Meinen, Miller, Medhurst and Nicholson weren't enough, as the errors lead to several unearned runs. The heavy bats were out again, highlighted by triples by E. Meinen and Jack Small. Miller and Jeromy VandeWalle reached base safely in all their at bats.
Championship Sunday would bring with it some dramatics on the D diamond. The Astros faced off against the number one seeded Southwest Select Scorpions, with a trip to the finals hanging in the balance. Jack Small was again the Astro starter and provided 2 plus strong innings and Perrie would relieve him in the third and pitch 2 strong innings himself. After 4 and a half complete innings, the home side Astros would find themselves down 6. With the time limit hanging in the balance, it was do or die time for Mitchell, and do they did! The rally got started by E. Meinen as he, VandeWalle and Nicholson reached base safely to start the inning. Medhurst would follow with a bases clearing triple and the Astros were back in it. Mann would then walk and Miller would drive in two runs with hard hit single and Mitchell was down by one with only one out. After walks to Perrie and Martinez-Reid, Keagan Meinen would end the inning in dramatic fashion, as he smashed a ball over the left fielders head. This allowed two runs to score, and the umpire had awarded the game to Mitchell, however there was a catch. Mitchell had exceeded the 6 run mercy and the game would be tied 8-8 and needing extra innings. After the rules were worked out, E. Meinen headed back to the mound to try and shut down the Scorpions potent offence as they had the top of their order due up. Southwest scored 5 in their half of the 6th, and they would put their ace pitcher in to try and perserve the win. After several tough at bats, the Astros succumb to the Scorpions and the would strand the bases loaded and escape with the 13-9 victory.
The coaching staff was very proud of this team, not just at the effort and determination they showed in their final game, but throughout the season. They played hard and fair, baseball the right way! They received several compliments from teams on both their baseball abilities and sportsmanship. Congratulations boys, you gave the coaches and parents one heck of a season!