There were some thrilling games played Saturday as part of Vernon minor baseball’s annual picture day and bottle day fundraiser at Lakeview Park.
The Sun Dial Lighting Royals clipped Morgans Glass Black Diamonds 11-10 in Pee Wee action with Erik Colwell of the Royals and Jacob Soucy of the Diamonds shining on the hill.
Connor London of the Royals made a great play from centre field to third baseman Greg Geistlinger to throw out a runner in the first inning. Tyson Sampert stroked a double, swiped third and was hit home by Geistlinger.
Sampert also caught two fly balls in the third, while Dakota Becker recorded a nice line-drive snag for a Black Diamonds’ out in the second.
In Mosquito play, Ryan Jakes smacked a solo home run to touch off a three-run first as the Union Securities Red Sox outlasted the Interior Utilities Management Mad Dogs 21-18.
Shelby Porteous pitched a no-hit second and Alyssa Racine struck out three in the middle two innings for the Mad Dogs. Isaac Olson and Jordan Larson each went 4-for-4 for the Dogs.
Noah Foufoulas of the Sox was solid catching the second half for Corey Anderson, who registered a season-high five strikeouts.
Hayden Vardon pitched a no-hit fifth to close the game for his first win of the season.
Ethan Sawka, Ryan Rumsey, Nolan Tokai, Rayne Goodwater, Tyler Braun and Steel Sigurdson combined for a dozen Sox runs in the late innings.
The Pro Stock Blues Jays erased a 14-8 deficit in the bottom of the last inning to shade the Kal Tire Red Hawks 15-14.
Landon Harrison and Hayden Lewis handled the Blues’ pitching, while Braydon Beacom was hot at the plate, ripping a grand slam homer.
Nakota Parker smacked a pair of triples and Chase Batchelor also carried a lethal bat for the Red Hawks.
A radar gun was used to track the fastest pitch in each division with 40-something Dale Olson of the Mad Dogs winning the coaches’ toss at 74 mph.
Olson reportedly iced his arm for hours afterwards.
The other fastest throws came from: T-Ball: Terry Johnson, Green Monsters, 32 mph; Mosquito: Maguire Lauridsen, Carter Morris, 52; Pee Wee: Ryan Jakes, Red Sox, 59; Bantam: Dylan Emmons AA, 72: Midget: Shelby Hartwig 73.
