Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Gold was at stake in a 1-1 game in the seventh inning of Sunday’s OASA Provincial Finals in Palmerston when Napanee Spud’s Restaurant U16 Express’ Dawson Colazio stepped up to the plate with a runner aboard.
He delivered in the clutch, ripping an RBI triple to put the Express up 2-1 over the Shallow Lake Sting.
That was all the support Connor Brooks needed, as he shut the door in the bottom half to secure the gold medal.
Napanee needed two attempts to win gold as they dropped the first game to Shallow Lake 6-2. A five run fourth inning was Napanee’s undoing.
Fortunately for the Express, who had been unbeaten to that point, they had a second life and played another game immediately following their defeat.
Jacob Boutilier got the Express on the board with a solo home run. That 1-0 advantage held until the sixth inning, when Shallow Lake scratched out a run.
Their gold medal seemingly slipping away, the Express held their composure and came right back with a run in the seventh. Ty Franklin reached to begin the inning and was cashed by Colazio’s triple. Brooks, who had pitched the entire game, retired Shallow Lake in their half of the inning without giving up a run.
Napanee opened the tournament with a 5-3 win over Owen Sound on Friday. In their second game they rallied from a 3-0 deficit to score nine unanswered in a 9-3 defeat of their eventual finals opponent Shallow Lake. The Express advanced to the finals with a 10-0 shutout over the Devils.
The provincials were a nice tune up for the Express, as they get set for the U16 Canadian Fast Pitch Championships, which run July 31-Aug. 4 in Saskatoon Sask. For updates, visit https://softball.ca/u16boys.
Prior to that the Express’ U14 peewees will be competing in their Canadians, which will also take place in Saskatoon, July 27-31. For updates, visit https://softball.ca/u14boys.