The Mitchell Midget fans sure did get their monies worth this weekend as the boys played 5 undefeated games and ultimately clinched the OBA Midget C Championship that was hosted by Kincardine Minor Baseball.
Game 1 was in Tiverton on Friday at 2 pm against Port Dover. Josh EIDT took to the mound and delivered 100 pitches nearly pitching a complete game. Kyle RICHARDSON came in to close. One pitch was all that was needed as the ball was batted to shortstop, Jake MONDEN, who made a perfect throw to Ben SMALL on 2nd and the game was over. 9 to 3 for Mitchell. This win set the tone for the rest of the weekend. The biggest hit went to MONDEN as he cranked out a triple in the third inning to the fence in centre field and drove in two runs. Tanner DIETZ drove in the first rbi to get us on the scoreboard. Runs were scored by Wyatt HUITEMA, Curt EIDT (2), MONDEN (2), Eric GETTLER, Zach DOW (2) and Clayton RAPIEN.
Game 2 was Saturday at 10:30 am in Kincardine against St. Marys. We had to win this game in order to get a much-needed bye, but before we even hit the field 1st baseman, Zach DOW, took a ball to the eye leaving him in need of some stitches and us in need of a new line up. SMALL took his place at 1st and did not disappoint as he made a diving play later in the game. Eric GETTLER was our starting pitcher. He launched 73 missiles and finished off his last batter with an exciting strikeout. Wyatt HUITEMA was the closer. He is normally our catcher, but handed over his catcher’s mitt to Curt EIDT in order to close the came and get us a 5 to 2 win over St. Marys. The boys were on the bats this game with huge hits by GETTLER, MONDEN and HUITEMA. HUITEMA had the biggest one and earned himself the treat from the candy bag. Runs were scored by HUITEMA (2), Curt EIDT, MONDEN, and RICHARDSON.
Game 3 was at 8:30 pm on Saturday in Goderich against Corunna. Curt EIDT was the starting pitcher and HUITEMA once again closed. The game ended in a 12 to 2 mercy in the bottom of the 5th. Every game had some noteworthy plays. This game included a diving catch by Ryan HARMER, HARMER’s biggest hit (a triple) and SMALL making an unexpected catch after both he and DIETZ lost the ball in the lights. We are heading into the SEMIS undefeated. This has never happened for these boys. What a great feeling! Runs were scored by HARMER (2), HUITEMA, Curt EIDT, MONDEN, GETTLER (2), RICHARDSON, DOW, SMALL, DIETZ (2).
Game 4 was the Semi Final game at 10 am in Kincardine against DKMB. Once again, GETTLER started the game. He started the game with a 1st pitch K and also struck out that first batter. Wow! Let’s Go Boys! GETTLER pitched to 100 and Curt EIDT closed the game. The third inning was the only inning we scored, but it was all we needed as we got 7 runs. The final score was 7 to 4. Runs were scored by HARMER, HUITEMA, MONDEN, GETTLER, RICHARDSON, DOW, DIETZ.
Game 5 was the Final game in Kincardine at 1pm against Corunna (again). Every game was somewhat stressful as we worked our way through this tournament, but the Final game was by far our most exciting and stressful game of the entire tournament. Since we were undefeated, if we lost it would mean we’d have to play another game against Corunna. We did not want that! This game the boys had to work hard. By the top of the 4th we were down 7 to 0. Spirits diminished and we needed a miracle to get this game on track. Curt EIDT and RICHARDSON perfectly executed the hidden ball trick on 3rd base sending a huge threat back to the Corunna bench and lifting the spirits on the Mitchell bench. In the bottom of the 4th, with 2 runners on base, Jackson MACARTHUR hit an absolute bomb to the field, getting himself a triple, 2 rbi’s and the team their first two runs of the game. Spirits escalated immediately! Mitchell held Corunna to their 7 runs and continued to add the score board. By the bottom of the 6th we were ahead 10 to 7. All that separated us from the Championship win was 3 outs. RICHARDSON was pitching. First batter walked. Next batter hit the ball…out at one…out at three! DOUBLE PLAY! The excitement was building. The next batter walked. We had 2 outs now. Just need one more…and then it happened. The ball was hit to Curt EIDT at three and he calmly threw it over to DOW at 1st and that’s the ball game, the tournament and the Championship! Insert screams, running, jumping, tears and cheers! Runs were scored by Curt EIDT, MONDEN (2), GETTLER (2), RICHARDSON (2), DOW, MACARTHUR and DIETZ.
MACARTHUR received the MVP Award for our final game and the team was presented with a trophy, OBA Provincial Championship rings…and our hats are in the mail.
HUITEMA played a stellar game behind the plate all weekend. The only time he wasn’t catching was when he was pitching.
RAPIEN was the glue that kept this team together. Despite all of the talent and knowledge of the game that all of these players have, I know that without RAPIEN screaming “come on Richard, rip the skin off the ball” and various other phrases, we would not have made it as far as we did.
I am so very proud of how hard these boys played all season, but especially this weekend. It was very obvious how bad they wanted this Championship and without a doubt they all earned it and all deserve it! Thank you for letting me be your coach, for listening to me and teaching me a thing or two as well. I will never forget any of you. Also, thanks to my assistant coach Trevor DIXON for helping with warmups and the decision making that we were constantly doing throughout the games. Also, don’t break the trophy.
Last but not least, thank you to our sponsor Quadro Communications Co-operative Inc. It’s because of you and all the other sponsors that we can keep small town baseball alive. Many of our Mitchell teams have proven that our small-town players are just as competitive and talented as those from the big cities.