The blue-jerseyed Denny’s little league team came out on top last weekend as the league champions.
Six teams, with players aged nine – 13 took to the Rotary Club ball diamond to determine the league champs, eat a few hot dogs and have a lot of fun.
“Both teams played hard and were very competitive at their level of play,” coach for the yellow-jerseyed Denny’s team, Jason Wall said.
At the end of the weekend, the blue-jerseyed Denny’s squad claimed the league title as they limited the yellow-jerseyed Denny’s squad to just two runs.
But, Yellow’s two runs were scored in a spectacular way, a home run by Jayden Arno.
Arno, 13, who hit the blast in the bottom of the fourth inning, was a little surprised with the home run, admitting he didn’t realize he had hit a home run until he saw the ball sail over the fence in right-centre field.
“I was amazed,” Arno, a Grade 7 student at Kersley elementary, said of the hit that counted for yellow’s only two runs.
“It felt really good.”
The home run came off Brett Mero, 10, a left-handed pitcher with the Blue team and even he was impressed to see the home run.
Mero, who has been playing baseball for six years, wasn’t disappointed he gave up the home run, but rather he tipped his hat to Arno.
“It felt kind of good because I knew it was a good pitch,” Mero said.
“I felt good for him for hitting his first home run off my pitch.
“It was a smack.”
The home run was the only blemish on Mero’s record, as he struck out five batters in his two-inning stint.
Dustin Peacock, coach of the blue-jerseyed Denny’s team, pointed to pitching as an important key to his team’s success, beginning with Connor Williams who pitched the first two innings, before Mero stepped to the mound.
“Connor came out and did a real good job holding them down and let us get ahead by a few runs,” Peacock said.
When the game was over, all the players lined up to receive their medals and all had smiles.
“Everyone was a winner at the end of the game,” Wall said.
“I am very proud of all the boys from this weekend.”
