CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Islanders showed they can compete with the best in the country on the diamond during the past week.
The province’s 15-and-under squad won bronze at the Ray Carter Cup in Oshawa, Ont., the 13-and-under squad finished fourth at the nationals in Repentigny, Que., and three Islanders played for the gold-medal winning Chatham Ironmen at the senior men’s championship in Miramichi, N.B.
“It’s probably one of the greatest days Baseball P.E.I. has ever had at national championships,” executive director Randy Byrne said Monday morning.
“The future is pretty bright for baseball on P.E.I. and we couldn't be more excited.”
P.E.I. beat Quebec at the under-13 championship and lost by one run to Alberta and British Columbia. They lost 8-6 to Ontario One in the semifinal and 12-7 to Ontario Two in the bronze-medal game.
In the third-place game, Ontario scored four in the bottom of the first and added one in the second and five in the third to take a commanding 10-0 lead. P.E.I. responded with five in the fifth and two in the sixth but could not complete the comeback.
Cole Echlin was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored for P.E.I. while Yasu Hojo went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs.
Will White, Owen Jones, Tyler Wood, Callum Thompson, Tyson Wedge, Caleb Gallant and Owen Murphy each had a hit as part of P.E.I.’s 11-hit attack.
Hojo allowed eight runs, three unearned, on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. Tyler Wood threw 3 2/3 innings in relief, allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out two.
Byrne said the organization knew both 13-and-under and 15-and-under teams had strong rosters with the ability to make a playoff run.
“The fact that they actually went and – despite all the pressure – achieved that was pretty satisfying,” he said. “We’re pretty tired, but we’re pretty happy here today.”
He said P.E.I. had other strong performances at national events as well.
“The notion that we just go to play at national championships is gone. We’re going to compete,” he said, noting it is knocking off larger provinces that have medium-sized cities with the population of Prince Edward Island.
“It’s a real testament of the work the players and coaches put into it.”
Related links:
• A weekend to remember as Islanders help host Chatham Ironmen win Canadian senior title
• Friends forever: Island squad wins bronze medals at 15-and-under nationals
