The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - June 17, 2008
JAWBREAKERS WIN FASTBALL TOURNAMENT
On June 6th the Princeton Peewee Boys, Dodd's Jawbreakers, headed off to Barriere for a fastball Tournament.
Saturday, June 7th at 8:00 AM we played our first game against Vavenby. The final score was 8-7 for us. At noon we took on Barriere with a final score of 9-6 for the host team. Our next game was at 4:00 PM against Clearwater Crusher, who happened to be the only Squirt team at the Tournament. They played a strong and solid game with a lot of heart, and will definitely be the team to beat in their own division. The final score was 16-2 for us. At 6:00 PM we had an exhibition game against the Prince George Peewee Girls. Our boys were a little baffled by all the chants and cheering from the girls until Eric Hardin, along with his cohort Jet Larsen, got into the groove with their own rendition. We laughed a lot and fun was had by all the fans and players of both teams. A game not to be forgotten!
Sunday morning at 8:00 AM we were up against the Clearwater Peewee Boys team. The final score was 15-3 for Princeton. This put us into Third Place overall, with only a two point difference between Second Place. Just after 12:00 PM we played in the Semi-Final against the BC Summer Games team. Princeton won 18-2, putting them in the Finals. With emotions running high and the pressure on we faced our final competitors: the Barriere Irly Bird team at 2:00 PM.
Having just played a game the boys were tired, but they dug deep and found their second wind. Going into the third inning the score was still 0-0 but Barriere took the lead by 3. It stayed that way until the fifth inning when our own Lindsay McLellan put us on the scoreboard, and boosted our morale. The boys did a fantastic job holding Barriere down and in the sixth inning Quinn Murray made it home as well as Barriere also getting one home bringing the score to 4-2 for them. In the top of the seventh inning Clayton Obee got on base, Lindsay moved him around. Then Drayden Larsen made it to first followed by Kraig Leochko to load the bases. Franco Pontaletta earned his way to first and brought Clayton home. Drayden and Kraig stole home putting us in the lead 5-4.
The other team had last bat, but the boys knew if they maintained a strong defense the game would be theirs. With two out and bases loaded a forced play was made a home plate to win us the game. Final 5-4 for Dodd's Jawbreakers!
We would just like to say a big thanks to the fantastic coaching staff, and support from all parents/grandparents. We all made some great memories, here is a few we would like to share with you: Lindsay McLellan made a beautiful catch in left field stopping Barriere's strongest hitter. Clayton Obee made a great play diving for the ball and then getting it to first for an out. Ryder Stone played a strong back catcher and first base, his steady and accurate throw and catching skills made many awesome plays. Brady Johnson pitched phenomenally this weekend, he was strong and solid and kept his focus and played a mean first base.
Quinn Murray brought in a number of RBIs making it home numerous times (with the helping hands of the coach) and played a solid defense. Drayden Larsen stepped up and pitched for us in the final game and did a bang up job. As first batter to start us off he smacked one out to centrefield, bringing the team morale to a high. Eric Hardin had a smile on his face all weekend and was on his toes and played an excellent defense.
Franco Pontaletta earned his place in the line up with his strong hitting ability and great defense. Dallas Earle covered awesome and hustled fantastically making strong plays and a number of RBI's. And last, but not least, Kraig Leochko pitched hard and played solid third base, and definitely played to his full potential.
This was our first time winning a tournament, but not the last. Look for us in July as we go to Provincials in Richmond!
