It was a weekend of exceptional performances and intense competition for the 15U Major and 16U Bearcat squads, with both making deep runs in major tournaments south of the border.
The 16U squad, under Head Coach Ben Salazar, had an outstanding performance at Notre Dame: The Great Lakes Select Showcase. They made quick work of their pool play opponents, scoring 28 runs while giving up just seven on route to a perfect 3-0 record. This squad then battled through a challenging bracket, ultimately falling in the semi-finals on Sunday afternoon. The weekend was highlighted by a strong offense that batted .355 with a .967 OPS. The team also saw strong pitching performances over the weekend. Denver Burton delivered a complete game, striking out six, while Ryan Bouvier provided two strong starts, allowing a mere two runs total.
On the other hand, Jason Luscombe’s 15U Major battled hard in the Pastime U15 National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. They dominated pool play opponents, notching a perfect 4-0 record while outscoring opponents 28-6. Pool play was highlighted by a complete game shutout in Game 1 from Joel Zammit, who allowed just two hits while striking out six. At the conclusion of pool play, the team was seeded fourth within a grouping of 65 teams, the highest of the eight seeded Canadian teams. Their impressive run ultimately ended in bracket play as they were eliminated with a 6-3 loss to the Indiana Spikes. Despite elimination, the team’s performance showcased their elite talent and competitive spirit on a big stage.
The deep runs by both squads highlight the elite talent and competitive spirit within their respective rosters. These impressive showings on national and regional stages not only highlight individual skill but also the collective spirit and hard work of players, coaches, and supporting families.
Aside from these two teams, the 14U, 15U Minor, and 17U enjoyed an off weekend. The 18U Bearcat team traveled to Quebec, where they split a four-game exhibition series against Diamond Baseball Academy.
Looking forwards, all Bearcat teams look to cap off strong seasons with championships this upcoming weekend in the PBLO playoffs. You can catch the 14U’s in Kitchener, both 15U teams in Oshawa, 16U in London, and both 17U and 18U in Tecumseh.
