Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Speed on the base paths mixed with a dash of daring was a winning formula for the Spud’s Restaurant Napanee U16 Express boys at the Eastern Canadians in Fredericton, NB.
Heads up base running was a major factor for the Express’ offense in their 3-0 win over the Chatsworth Longhorns in Sunday’s gold medal final. Napanee scored all three runs without the benefit of a base hit, instead taking chances on the bases and getting rewarded for it.
Not wasting any time, the Express jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning before Chatsworth starter Joseph Weiler could get settled. Ty Kemp started a one out rally with an infield single and advanced to second on a solid base hit by Gavin Brooks. Both would come around to score on a pair of wild pitches.
In the bottom half of the inning the Longhorns made a bid to answer, but Brooks was able to pitch around a one out double for a key shutdown inning. He continued to post zeros from there throughout the game.
His teammates added a huge insurance tally in the fourth. Brandon Barker led off the inning with a base hit. He’d then come all the way around from first to home on a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt by Caden Fowler. As the Chatsworth third baseman came in to field the bunt, Barker noticed third was left unoccupied and took off for third, sliding in just ahead of the tag from the catcher who sprinted from home to cover third. Barker then alertly realized home was there for the taking and took off to score without a throw.
That was more than enough offense for Brooks, who tossed the shutout to clinch the gold. His efforts helped secure him the tournament MVP.
Napanee opened the tournament with a 3-1 record and topped the Elmira Heat 8-4 in the first playoff game on Saturday to advance to the semifinals. They then survived a slugfest against the Wilmot Thunder, holding on for an 11-7 victory to play for gold. Kemp had an RBI single, Brooks had a three run double and Will Myers drove in a run as part of a six run fourth inning to take a lead they’d never relinquish.
The gold medal was a repeat of sorts for this group, as they captured gold at the U14 level back in 2019.
The U16 Express will now look to finish their season with a provincial title. The OASA U16 Provincials will take place Aug. 20-22 in Cambridge.