Beaver Sports
A silver finish at a tournament in Clarence, NY capped a successful season for the Napanee Doyle’s Windows Bantam Express.
The Express were the only Canadian entry into the U14 tournament, which featured 12 teams. After a 4-0 start, the Express suffered their only loss in the winner-take-all final, losing 7-3 to the Amherst Lightning major team.
Napanee opened the tournament with a commanding 10-2 victory over the Cayuga Gamblers. Chi Suzuki set the tone early with a leadoff home run while Megan Morrow picked up the win.
In the second game the Express overcame a slow start, rallying back from an 8-3 deficit against the host Clarence Red Devils with a 13-run third inning. Morrow had a home run to help power the offensive comeback. The game was called after the third inning with the Express up 16-8 due to time constraints.
In the third game the Express turned to call up Morgan Salter to pitch and she didn’t disappoint, earning player of the game in a 13-5 victory over the Amherst Lightning minor team. Maddy Cronkwright and Emily Proderick each clubbed home runs.
Napanee’s flawless record earned them the top seed heading into the playoffs. There they met the New York Revolution in the semifinals. Alexa Orieciua pitched in the tightly contested game, with the Express earning a hard fought 4-2 victory.
That sent them to the finals where they met the Lightning team that was just a bit better, leaving them with a silver finish.
– The Barr Homes U12 girls Napanee Express qualified as a top seed for the Provincial B championships following their strong performance in Aurora this past weekend.
Napanee’s first game was against the Vaughan Vikings, who are ranked in the top three of the A division provincially. The Express held the game close for three innings before the flood gates opened up in an eventual 15-0 loss.
They quickly rebounded against the Stittsville 56ers, winning 16-0. Kristen Sutton and Danielle Barker combined for a no-hitter, Kayla Gendron had three RBIs while Meena Peterson had a hit and stole two bases.
Napanee’s bat stayed hot for their next game, a 20-3 win against the Cobourg Angels. Sutton was 3-for-3 and Keyana Whan hit a monster three-run home run. Jaidyn Manion pitched for the win.
The last game of the day, which would also lock up the top ‘B’ seed spot, was against the Whitby Eagles. The girls dug deep and had their best game of the season in this must win game, winning 10-2. Sutton was absolutely untouchable from the pitcher’s circle, giving up zero hits and striking out six over four innings. Barker was great too in three innings of relief, striking out four batters. Whan and Elayna Jackson were amazing behind the plate, throwing out multiple Eagles’ runners. Jordyn Watson was 2-for-3, Hannah Tulloch had a two-RBI double, Marlee Maracle had an rbi single in the fourth, Rylee Beattie had a monster two rbi double in the fifth inning to extend the lead and Lila Pringle also had three rbi in the game.