The North Bay Mosquito Stinger Rep team captured the 2014 Peewee Championship Sunday evening with a hard fought 9-8 victory over the Blue Jays.
The Stinger team comprised of 10 and 11 year olds started the season with some difficulty going 2-6 in their first 8 games of the year, but dramatically improved the second half of the season finishing with eight wins and eight losses, good for a solid 3rd place finish in the 5 team loop.
During the playoffs the Stingers won three consecutive games, including a thrilling extra inning victory against the first place Blue Jays advancing the Stingers to the championship final.
In the championship game the Stingers Owen Wray pitched 3 outstanding innings with relief help from Jordan Kennedy and Brett Richardson.
With the Stingers winning 6-3 in the 4th, the home team Blue Jays answered with 5 runs to take an 8-6 lead heading into the final inning. The "never say quit" Stingers came out in their top of the 5th and scored 3 runs of their own which began with a lead off walk by Jacob Laframboise and consecutive singles by William Monette, Caleb Sanders and Brett Richardson which cashed in 3 runs to take an 9-8 lead heading to the Blue Jays final at bat.
Richardson was called upon to close the game and quickly struck out the first two batters before surrendering a walk. With the tying run at third, Richardson once again struck out the Blue Jay batter to secure the win and the championship.
The Stinger season continues Labour Day weekend in Richmond Hill where they will take part in the SOBA Provincial Championship.
Team members include: Caleb Sanders, Brett Richardson, Connor Punnett, Jordan Kennedy, Owen Wray, Ben White, Cam Harwood, Brett Hummel, Fisher Bilz, Will McCharles, Jacob Laframboise, William Monette, and Alex Bilz. Coaches: Greg Richardson, Doug Sanders, Troy Kennedy, Scott Wray and Clint Gore.
