Morgan MacLean pounds a ball during Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders batting practice Tuesday at Memorial Field.
The Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders have had a taste of the Canadian senior baseball nationals and now they want more.
The quest begins today when the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League leaders (22-10) open their best-of-seven semifinal with the Moncton Fisher Cats (12-20) at 7:30 p.m.
The winner of the league playoffs qualifies to represent New Brunswick at next year’s nationals in Victoria, B.C.
“Victoria is a long way away,” first baseman Andrew Macdonald said before Tuesday’s practice at Memorial Field. “We’re not assuming we’re going to be there or anything, but we’re going to give our best effort and hopefully we can get back there and put in another good showing.”
The Islanders finished fourth at the nationals in Fredericton, N.B., in late August. It included playing five games in two days to complete the tournament.
The Islanders have been off for about a week while the Fisher Cats swept their best-of-three play-in series with the Saint John Alpines.
“They definitely have some momentum from their last series,” Macdonald said. “I think the week off was just what we needed and still be ready to go for tomorrow night.”
Coach Keith Craswell acknowledged the possibility of his team coming out flat, but said he has confidence in his veteran group to be ready. He said pitcher Jordan Stevenson would keep them in the game in the early innings if the timing is a bit off.
The Islanders went 5-3 against Moncton this season, including Stevenson throwing a no-hitter against the Fisher Cats on July 12 at Memorial Field.
With the post-season starting, the intensity of the games ramp up.
“It’s exciting,” Craswell said. “Playoff time is what you play for all season long, and we have a title to defend.”
The Fisher Cats employ a lot of speed in their lineup with Luc Vautour and Justin Cormier leading the way with 22 and 15 stolen bases, respectively. Cormier was one of the Islanders five additions for nationals.
“We have to play good defence and keep some of their faster guys off the base paths because they do love to steal,” Macdonald said.
He added the Isles hitters must stay focused on their game plan and not try to do too much at the plate.
The Islanders have added four affiliated players from the Dave MacIsaac-coached junior squad for the playoffs. They include pitchers Spencer Horne and Brady Arsenault, middle infielder J.J. Oram and utility player Grant Grady.
“They’re great ball payers, and we're lucky to have them,” Craswell said. “They come from a great junior program coached by a great coach.”
Season Series
A look at the games between the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders and the Moncton Fisher Cats this season.
May 23
Charlottetown 9 Moncton 1
June 11
Charlottetown 4 Moncton 3
June 23
Moncton 6 Charlottetown 1
July 12
Charlottetown 3 Moncton 1
July 13
Moncton 3 Charlottetown 2
July 20
Charlottetown 14 Moncton 4
July 24
Charlottetown 6 Moncton 2
Aug. 7
Moncton 4 Charlottetown 0
Year-end awards
NBSBL all-star team
LHP Shane Kraemer, Fredericton
RHP J.F. Neveu, Chatham
RHP Jordan Stevenson, Charlottetown
C Morgan MacLean, Charlottetown
1B Andrew Macdonald, Charlottetown
2B Dillon Doucette, Charottetown
3B Mike Washburn, Fredericton
SS Kris Keating, Chatham
OF Dave Barr, Fredericton
OF Orry Cook, Chatham
OF Ryan Owens, Saint John
DH Jody Peterson, Fredericton
Coach Keith Craswell, Charlottetown
Leaders
Batting average – Ryan Owens, Saint John, .432
Home runs – Mike Washburn, Fredericton, 10
RBI – Mike Washburn, Fredericton, 37
Stolen bases – Luc Vautour, Moncton, 22
Lowest ERA – Shane Kraemer, Fredericton, 1.27
Strikeout leader – Shane Kraemer, Fredericton, 83
