Coach Shawn FreerSpecial to the chronicle
A perfect game for Mason Lonsberry lead the way to a golden finish for the Ladysmith 49ers at the Peewee U13A B.C. Baseball Provincials in Surrey July 30-Aug 3.
The tournament got underway with a bang. In the Thursday skills competition the 49ers previewed things to come, winning the around the horn competition, led by Luke Borgerson, Caleb Battye, Dawson Cavey and Ryan Bastian.
Reese Melnick capped the night off, tying the homerun derby with five homeruns in ten hits.
The tournament started Friday morning with Ladysmith up against the Newton Jays. Again the 49ers showed they were in top form, winning their opener 9-2, with James Joyce named player of the game.
Friday afternoon saw the 49ers up against the the team that defeated them two years ago in the Mosquito AA Provincial final, the Burnaby Minor Braves. The 49ers left no doubt the balance of power had shifted, winning 11-3, led by a homerun off the bat of Reece Melnick and fine pitching by Mason Lonsberry, which netted him recognition as player of the game.
Saturday at high-noon, the 49ers squared off against Port Coquitlam, who were also at two wins and no losses. The 49ers battled to a 12-9 win, with homeruns from Aidan Kirkham and James Joyce. Aidan Kirkham was named player of the game.
Sunday morning the 49ers faced the host Surrey Grizzlies, winning by a mercy 13-3. Reece Melnick hit his second homerun of the tournament, Dawson Cavey was named player of the game.
Monday morning the playoff semi-finals saw the 49ers up against Kamloops. The 49ers won 9-0, led by Lonsberry, who pitched a perfect game: seven full innings, 21 players faced, 21 players sent back to their dugout without reaching first base.
Lonsberry, with support from his team, recorded eight strike outs, ten groundouts, and three flyouts. The last out of the game was recorded by right fielder Caleb Battye, who made a superman-like diving catch to preserve the perfect game and secure the win.
Lonsberry was presented with the player of the game recognition, which he proudly handed over to Battye.
The final was a re-match from two years ago with the Burnaby Minor Braves. It was a low scoring affair, with solid pitching from both sides. James Joyce pitched his way into the seventh inning allowing only two runs with six strikeouts.
Heading into the top of the seventh, the game was tied 2-2. First at bat, the 49ers scored three runs. Joyce struck out the first batter then, due to the pitch count, the ball was turned over to Reece Melnick He allowed one run on a couple of hits before he settled in and struck out the last two batters to secure the championship.
Melnick was named player of the game.
The Ladysmith 49ers would like to thank the community for its support, helping the team create a life long memory, with special thanks to: The 49th Parallel Grocery, Save on Foods, Rexall, Pharmasave, Madill, Wordly Gourmet, Nicholson Trucking, and Isherwood Body and Fender.
