The Gord Closson Forest Products men’s fastball team reached the semifinal of the Vancouver Island Club Championship at Glenora’s Waldon Park last weekend.
The Duncan team finished fourth in the round robin after wins over the Saanich Braves (12-2) and Victoria Merchants (2-1) and losses to Wheatsheaf (5-3) and Lantzville Pub (6-2).
The team then lost 4-3 to Wheatsheaf in the semifinals.
“It was the opposite of what happened last time we played them in league play,” manager Joe DiLalla said, referring to a game last week when GCFP did all their scoring in the early innings, then held on to win by a run.
This time, Wheatsheaf scored three in the first and one in the second, and it was their turn to hold on. GCFP responded with two in the third on a home run by Trevor Gicas, and another in the sixth when Trevor Gicas scored on a hit by his brother Jamie. Blake Hunter hit two homers for Wheatsheaf in the semi — a two-run blast in the first and a solo shot in the second.
Lantzville Pub won the other semi 5-3 over Sooke.
Wheatsheaf prevailed in the final, mercying Lantzville 8-1 thanks to a two-run walk-off homer by Hunter.
“Blake Hunter had a weekend,” DiLalla said.
Food over the weekend was provided by the Shriners, who will also be providing grub for the Old Timers tournament at Waldon Park on Aug. 27 and 28.
GCFP and Baker Supply then abandoned their Tuesday night regular season game when neither team was able to find enough players after playing five over the weekend.
GCFP visited Wheatsheaf Thursday, and will play at home against Lantzville on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
