PORT HARDY—A big-hitting performance from Load ‘Em Up helped power the side to an extra-inning victory over the Bush Cats in Sunday’s A final of the Icebreaker slo-pitch tourney at the Storey’s Beach ballfields.
With a cap of four runs per inning for the finals, Load ‘Em Up maxed out three times and shut out the Bush Cats three times on their way to a 4-3 victory in the skins-format tourney.
A home run from Tony Knighton, strong base running and some solid fielding saw Load ‘Em Up rack up eight unanswered in the fifth and sixth on their way to the win.
The Bush Cats had started off the brighter, Jordan Campbell clearing the fence to bring Mitch Walker home for a walk-off in the first inning after holding Load ‘Em up to a blank.
Jim Clair replied for Load ‘Em Up next inning, his homer bringing in a pair of runners to add to two on the board to cap the inning.
A superb third saw the Bush Cats blunt their opponent’s momentum after Barney Wilson cleared the fence and Knighton smashed an infield homer. With one out, centre fielder Tara Wilson completed a spectacular catch on the run and whipped it to second for the double play. The Bush Cats then followed up on bat, a Campbell double bringing in one and a two-RBI hit from Sean Mercer did the rest.
A 3-3 tie forced the extra inning, Load ‘Em Up capitalizing on a misfield to run up three before holding their opponents scoreless for the win. Most Sportsmanlike awards went to Campbell and Nikki Richards.
The B final saw the Bluesox sweep the Generals 7-0 with strong fielding from both sides.
It took until the third inning for either side to get on the board, Brian Texmo’s homer bringing in an RBI to kick it off.
Home runs from Bluesox pitcher Brayden Demoe in the fifth and sixth helped ease his side to the win. Kyle Jackson and Teniel Hunt picked up the Most Sportsmanlike awards.
In the C division the Ballerz came back to take a 4-3 victory over the Smokers.
After the Smokers ran out to a 3-0 lead, the teams tied the next three in succession, the Ballerz claiming the all-important seventh for the win. Jim Paul and Janet Hanuse picked up the C Division awards.
In the D Division, Chris Patterson and Vanessa Roach picked up the awards as the Bushrats beat the Purple Cobras 4-3.
Standings
A Division
Load ‘Em Up
Bush Cats
Dustmen
High Vis
B Division
Bluesox
Generals
Al-Kes
Swingers
C Division
Ballerz
Smokers
Boozers
Storm
D Division
Bushrats
Purple Cobras