Jul 09, 2017 | tkelly | 389 views
OBA Mosquito impress at Mitchell Tournament
Our Mosquito Riverhawks had an outstanding tournament in Mitchell this weekend. It all started Friday night with an 7-5 win over Mt. Forest. Duncan took the ball for the Riverhawks and dominated the Mt. Forest hitters before he reached his pitch limit. Jones came into finish the game. Kelly started behind the plate and held the Mt. Forest base runners in check with several strong throws to second base. The Riverhawks defense was solid throughout the entire game with everyone doing their part to get the victory. Minten lead the way offensively getting on base all three times with two doubles. Duncan was selected by the Mt. Forest coaches as the Riverhawks MVP for the game.
Saturday started with a game against St. Marys. Van Gorp started the game for the Riverhawks and was outstanding before reaching his pitch limit. Pavey came in and finished the game off for an 8-7 victory. Douglas started behind the plate and was rock solid and just like Kelly the night before he held the St. Marys runners in check with strong throws to all bases. MacKellar had a big double in the 5th to start a rally after St. Marys had taken a 5-4 lead the inning before. Minten, Douglas and Van Gorp reached base in all of their at bats with Irwin reaching twice. After falling behind 5-4 in the forth the Riverhawks rallied together and scored 4 runs in the fifth to take an 8-5 lead. St. Marys scored a run in the 6th and one more in the 7th and had the tying run on third and the winning run in first but the Riverhawks pulled together to hold on for the win. Defensively Minten made an outstanding diving catch in center early in the game and Van Gorp snared a line drive from the rubber to start an inning ending double play. Van Gorp was selected by St. Marys as Riverhawks MVP for the game.
With two wins the Riverhawks knew one more win would guarantee Sunday baseball but they were facing the imposing Dorchester Diamondbacks (majors). The Riverhawks also knew they had a chance at a wildcard playoff spot with a loss so pitch counts became very important. Goss took the ball for the Riverhawks with the always steady Duncan behind the plate. Dorchester countered with a hard throwing right hander that held the bats in check. The Diamondbacks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Duncan got Alvinston on the board in the bottom of the first with his speed. In the second Van Gorp was absolutely robbed of at least a double when the Diamondbacks shortstop made a beautiful leaping grab. Aarts broke out of his hitting slump with a single to start the 5th with the Riverhawks down 5-1, he then stole 2nd advanced to 3rd on a ground out and scored with a creative slide at the plate after an over throw to third. The Diamondback bats came to life in the 6th with some strong well placed hits, they pushed across 6 runs to make it 11-2 which as the final score. Goss, Irwin and Kelly all pitched well for the Riverhawks. Irwin was chosen by the Dorchester as game MVP.
With a 2-1 record the Riverhawks a had chance to grab the wildcard spot but had to wait for the last game between undefeated Mitchell and Stratford to finish. In the end the boys where not able to grab the spot. The playoffs ended up being Dorchester/ Stratford and Mitchell/ Exeter with Dorchester and Mitchell ended up battling for the championship with Mitchell coming out on top. The Riverhawks had an outstanding weekend and impressed many spectators and other teams with their play. Great Job Riverhawks!!!!!!!!!