Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Kaden Fowler of the Napanee U17 Express smashed a deep fly ball to centre, only to have the ball find the leather of Drumbo’s defender.
Down to their last out, behind by two runs with a pair of runners on, the blast gave the Express a brief glimmer of hope of completing a thrilling comeback. Instead that catch ended the weekend tournament with the host Express finishing as runner-ups to champion Drumbo.
Express pitchers Fowler and Finn Barton paired to keep the host team close in the finals. Napanee entered their final at bat down 6-3, rallying to push across one run before bringing the go ahead run to the plate.
Kayden Thompson of the U17 Express delivers a pitch. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Though they ultimately came up short, that loss would stand as their only setback from an otherwise successful weekend.
Napanee opened the tournament Saturday with a 10-2 win over Stittsville. Against St. George they won 5-1 and closed out pool play with a 6-3 win over Wilmot.
In the playoff round they bested Quebec 5-4 to advance to the finals.
Napanee’s Bryce Rebertz connects bat to ball during a weekend tournament held at the Fairgrounds. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
The tournament was an opportunity for the Express to gear up for the big stage, the OASA U17 Eliminations, which take place Canada Day weekend in Stratford.
-Napanee’s U20 Express placed first in the ISC Canada East Championship.
Napanee captured the tournament crown with a 10-2 win over the Simcoe-Rostock Braves.
Ethan Tombs spun a five-inning no-hitter, allowing two runs while striking out three. Ty Franklin had a pair of hits while scoring twice, Gavin Brooks cranked a home run and drove in three while Gavin Gibbons drove in four. Brad Barker was named the tournament’s top pitcher while Franklin took home MVP honours.