The North Bay Mosquito Stingers captured Silver at the Muskoka Hornets Baseball Tournament this past weekend in Bracebridge. The Stingers went 3-0 during round robin play and defeated Everett Sunday morning in the championship semi final before bowing out in the championship to the Orangeville Bengals.
On Friday night the Stingers opened with a 9-3 victory over the Milton Mets. Brett Richardson picked up the win with relief help from Cam Harwood. Richardson gave up just 2 hits and struck out 11 over 5 innings of work. Masen Wray led the offence with 3 hits, with Richardson and Will McCharles chipping in with 2 hits a piece.
During Saturday morning action the Stingers defeated the Midland Twins 15-3. Levron Sutherland collected the victory with Caleb Sanders coming on in relief. Sutherland worked 4 innings giving up 4 hits and striking out 6. Sanders, Caelan McAuliffe, Dallas Landriault, Harwood and Richardson all had 2 hits a piece, with Richardson and Harwood both hitting inside the park home runs.
In the Saturday afternoon tilt against Orangeville, the Stingers won a close one 12-10 despite having a 9 run lead in the 4th inning. Sanders, McAuliffe and Sutherland combined for the win. McAuliffe, Harwood and Richardson had 2 hits each to lead the Stinger attack. Richardson again had an inside the park home run.
In the semi final on Sunday morning the Stingers took on Everett and defeated them handily 11-4. Richardson was again strong on the mound striking out 9 over 4 innings and gave up just 2 hits. Masen Wray came on in relief to slam the door. Richardson and McCharles had three hits each, with Wray, Sutherland, Sanders and McAuliffe adding singles.
The championship game was a rematch with the defending champion Orangeville Bengals. Despite the Stingers being victorious against them in round robin action, the Stingers dug themselves a hole early finding themselves down 9-0 after 2 innings of play.
The North Bay squad clawed their way back to within 3 runs making it 13-10 in the 6th inning, but had a difficult 7th giving up 8 runs and eventually lost 21-12 in a game where both teams were very stretched in the pitching department due to pitch count limitations
Despite the loss the coaches are extremely proud of the team and their progress over the course of the tournament and will continue to prepare for exhibition games against Sudbury and the Provincial Championships on Labour Day weekend in Dorchester. Other team members include Patrick Etmanski, Beau Herron, and CJ Hummel.
The team is coached by Greg Richardson, Doug Sanders, Shawn Harwood and Scott Wray.
