Cardinals U9 rep team makes finals at recent tournament

The Amherstburg Cardinals U9 rep team won the silver medal at a recent baseball tournament held in Forest Glade.

The Amherstburg Cardinals U9 rep baseball team did well in a recent tournament, making it all the way to the finals.

The tournament was July 11-13 in Forest Glade and the Cardinals won the first three of their first four games before losing in the finals. Their first game was on the Friday night of the tournament and they beat the Forest Glade Falcons 19-4. U9 head coach Mike Mathieson said they got down 2-0 in the top of first inning, then scored seven runs in the bottom of the inning.

Mathieson added Amherstburg scored another five runs in the second, and another seven in the third to win the game 19-4 after the mercy rule was called at the end of the third inning.

The Cardinals had 28 hits, including three each from Neil Mathieson, Ethan Bradacs, Colton Garvey, Brock Abraham, Tyler Hindermeier and Cameron DiPasquale.

The second game was the only time they played on the Saturday of that weekend, and it was a 13-8 loss to the Tecumseh Rangers. Mathieson said they gave up five runs in the top of the first inning, but fought back with three runs in the bottom of first.

“We didn’t play our best game defensively, but kept clawing back,” he said.

Atticus Martin led with three hits and two RBIs.

The first of three games on the Sunday of the tournament (July 13) was a 10-3 win over the Sarnia Brigade.

“We were excellent defensively this game,” said Mathieson. “We used a big third inning to score seven runs.”

Patrick Motruk and Reggie Ross had three hits each against Sarnia.

The semi-final game was a 13-9 victory over the Essex Yellow Jackets.

“With this win, we avenged a previous loss to Essex earlier in the season,” said Mathieson. “We jumped out to a 10-0 lead with five runs in each of the first and second innings.”

DiPasquale had four hits, and Ross had a big three-run triple. Players with multiple hits were Neil Mathieson, Bradacs, Martin, Garvey, Reed Gignac, Beau Schiefer, Hindermeier and Motruk.

Neil Mathieson scored four runs this game, while Motruk and Martin were reported to be excellent defensively.

The finals was a 16-7 loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Black Sox. Mathieson said they held the Sox scoreless in the top of the first inning after a slick double play turned by shortstop Neil Mathieson, “who was incredible defensively the whole tournament.”

Amherstburg went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Patrick Motruk, who went 3-for-3 in the game.

“The game was 4-2 for the Sox going into the fifth inning, then the Sox scored four runs, then five runs in the sixth to pull away,” said Mathieson. “We kept fighting in this game, but ran out of gas at the end.”

“The coaches are so proud of the boys, they have really worked hard in practice and it is starting to show on the field,” said Mathieson. “Our parent and grandparent support is incredible as well.”

After their next tournament in London, the U9 Cardinals’ next home game is Aug. 6 against Tecumseh at Bill Wigle Park. First pitch is at 6 p.m. Their entire schedule can be found at www.amherstburgbaseball.com.

Cardinals U9 rep team makes finals of recent tournament

By RTT Staff