In what can only be described as a dream ending, the Saugeen Shores Sting Mosquito Rep team, sponsored by True North Restoration Services, has captured the 2019 Baseball Ontario Mosquito “D” championship.

In a submission to Saugeen Shores Hub, from the beginning of selection camp this was the team’s ultimate goal. Throughout their 9-4-1 regular season, semifinalist in the Saugeen Shores tournament and finalist in the Kincardine tournament, this team improved every step of the way, culminating with the championship victory.

On the Labour Day weekend, 12 teams converged in Saugeen Shores as we hosted the provincial championship. The locals started the tournament Friday night versus the Corunna Giants with a 13-4 victory paced by multi run games by Collin Jackson, Alex Jacklin and Owen Reiley. They followed it up with three more wins on Saturday.

First was a 11-9 win over the Mitchell Astros where 10 different Sting players scored at least a run. After a break, the Sting stung Lucan-Ilderton 20-3, backed by solid pitching from Jayden Sproat and Reid Thompson, a homerun from Zack Lawrence and three runs each scored by Riley Foster, Jackson and Ben Hall.

The boys were immediately back on the field for an 11-0 score over the Pelham Panthers, with Sam Hall pitching a complete game shutout. Following a 10-0 setback versus the Port Lambton Pirates, three teams were left remaining in the tournament with one loss.

Following a draw for the bye, Saugeen Shores waited for the semifinal winner on Sunday afternoon. The winner of the semifinal was Mitchell and they were looking to redeem an earlier tournament loss. The Sting were on the brink of falling in the final game down 8-1 and 9-3 at various points in the game. However, the resilient Sting battled back to 9-8 after turning a double play spun by Ben and Sam Hall to end the sixth inning, setting up an exciting final inning. In that inning, the Sting put four more runs on the board to put the game out of reach and pitcher Brendan Lamont slammed the door shut on the Mitchell hitters to seal the championship for the Sting 12-9. The offense was again led by Jackson, Jacklin and Dawson Thornton with multi run games.

Overall, the Sting finished with a 20-8-1 record and a provincial championship. Team members included Alex Jacklin, Owen Reiley, Sam Hall, Ben Hall, Collin Jackson, Zack Lawrence, Reid Thompson, Jayden Sproat, Brendan Lamont, Riley Foster, Dawson Thornton, as well as coaches Dave Hall, Josh Jackson, Darren Thornton and Jason Sproat. Keegan Martin, Sawyer Inkster, Huxley Ebenstreit and Cole Leighton admirably filled the very valuable role of AP players throughout the year. Way to go Sting!

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