PORT HARDY—A single inning made the difference in the A final of the Filomi Days wood bat tourney last weekend, as the Generals came from behind to beat out the defending champion Bluesox.
Eight teams came out to compete this year in the annual mixed Slo-pitch season-ender at Storey’s Beach.
Friday and Saturday saw round-robin games divide the teams into A and B brackets for Sunday’s finals.
In the B, the Boozers took third over the Bandits while the Bushrats squared off against the Ballerz in the final. The Ballerz went out to an early lead before the ‘Rats bagged three in a resurgent sixth to take a one-run lead into the final inning.
A strikeout was followed by a lightning-quick third to second throw on a forced play which added a second out and was a fraction of a second from ending the game in style.
Christine Ireton ran in to snag a popped up hit over second and secure the win for the ‘Rats.
The ‘Rats’ Colim Hunko got the nod as the male Most Sportsmanlike Player award, while the Ballerz’s Sam Paul took the female MSP accolade.
In the A, the Swingers took fourth and Bushcats third, leaving the Generals facing the Bluesox in the final.
As usual, it was all about the fielding, the wooden bats limiting the distance the batters can hit. The close-in action typically leads to a low-scoring, defensive matchup.
The ‘Sox went two up early on, the Generals squaring the score soon after.
After the Bluesox regained their slender lead, the teams settled into a series of three-up, three-down scoreless innings.
A series of uncharacteristic defensive errors by the ‘Sox opened the floodgates in the fifth, the Generals taking full advantage to drive home seven runs and take a commanding lead.
The ‘Sox managed to find another pair in the remaining innings, but the Generals’ defence stayed solid to hold off the ‘Sox and take a 9-6 victory.
The Generals’ Pam Wilson was given the female MSP award while the male honour went to the ‘Sox’s Cody Diotte.
The event closes out the mixed Slo-pitch for the season with the men and ladies separating for the rest of the season.
Play commences this week on the ladies Slo-pitch league and the mens fastpitch league, which will both run until late August.
