Vancouver, BC The 4th Annual Vancouver Challenge Mens FP tournament concluded just prior to 6:00 pm local time on Sunday evening. The large crowd of fastpitch enthusiasts were once again treated to some high quality team and individual performances. Mother nature also cooperated again for the third consecutive day with beautiful hot summer weather at South Memorial Park in Vancouver.
Sunday’s playoff matchup results were as follows:
Vancouver Grey Sox 3 – Broken Bow Spirit 0 WP – Nick Underhill with relief from Rick Smith (5) LP – Gerald Muizelaar with relief from Mike Piechnik (6) A entertaining and well played ball game for the early morning crowd. Scott Newitt provided the spark for the Grey Sox with a 2nd inning solo home run. With the win the Grey Sox advanced to the final, Bow would await to play in the semi – final vs. the Saskatoon / Prince George winner.
Saskatoon Black Sox 3 – Prince George 0 WP – Sean Whitten LP – Collin McKenzie Saskatoon scored early in this contest and behind the solid pitching of Sean Whitten notched the victory. Full marks to a gutsy Prince George squad who throughout the weekend played good ball and were lead by Pitcher Collin McKenzie who was very solid throughout the tournament. With the loss Prince George was eliminated and were awarded 4th place in the final standings. Saskatoon now advanced to play Broken Bow in the semi final.
Broken Bow 4 – Saskatoon 0 WP – Mike Piechnik LP – Trevor Ethier Bow capitalized on its offensive chances with some key hits and behind the strong pitching from Mike Piechnik captured the win and advanced to the final game. With the loss Saskatoon was eliminated and awarded 3rd place prize money. Credit goes to the Saskatoon ball club who competed hard in each and every game and endured 4 games on Saturday as a result of their 3rd place finish in their pool. The Saskatoon side battled all the way back in the playoffs with a single life to finish 3rd in the event.
Championship Game
– Broken Bow 5 – Vancouver 2 WP – Mike Piechnik (4) in relief of Gerald Muizelaar LP – Rick Smith with relief from Nick Underhill (4) This matchup was the third game of the weekend between these clubs. Heading into the championship final each team had beaten the other one time during the weekend. Broken Bow struck at key opportunities in this game and were paced by a 2 run homerun from Craig Wallace and a solo homerun from Darren Box to capture the tournament title. Bow compiled an overall 5 win 1 loss record on the weekend, including as indicated previously 2 wins and a loss against the host Grey Sox squad, along with victories over New West Van City, Calgary and Saskatoon. Full marks to Doc Simmons and his Broken Bow crew as they appear to be peaking at the right time prior to the ISC World Tournament. The host Grey Sox squad also performed at a high level throughout the weekend, finishing with an overall record of 3 wins and 2 losses, with victories over New West Van City, Prince George and Broken Bow, along with the defeats noted coming at the hands of Broken Bow.
Individual Tournament Awards
Top Hitter – Rob Giesbrecht, Broken Bow Spirit – .438 batting average in the entire tournament.
Top Pitcher – Nick Underhill, Vancouver Grey Sox – 0.48 era in 3 appearances, including 17 k’s
MVP – Mike Piechnik, Pitcher, Broken Bow Spirit – 0.00 era, 5 wins, 21.2 innings, including 29k’s
Tournament Highlights:
* A very committed and dedicated volunteer group who worked long hours to execute the event. To the many people who staffed the gate, concession area, beverage gardens, groomed the fields etc. sold 50 /50 tickets and did everything possible to make the event happen we extend a special thanks. Also kudos to George Morneau (father of rising major league baseball star – Justin Morneau – Minnesota Twins) who went out of his way to assist the event in any way possible including personally selling 50/50 tickets and assisting with raffles etc. * Easily the largest crowds in recent history for Senior Mens FP in the Lower Mainland area, reminding us what makes being at the ball park so special on a nice summer’s day. * A strong field of teams, who for the most part were evenly matched and used the event as a final tune up prior to the ISC World Tournament and the Softball Canada Senior Mens FP Nationals. * Excellent ball weather with sunny, warm summer conditions throughout. * Sincere thanks to our partners South Hill Sports for co – operating the event. As well of course to our participating teams the Broken Bow Spirit, Saskatoon Black Sox, Calgary Smokers, Prince George Black Bears and New West Van City … our appreciation for attending and we look forward to doing it all over again in 2006. Larry Kancs President Vancouver Grey Sox