From the Guardian
“Covers Prince Edward Island Like the Dew”
Twins win men’s fastpitch opener
JASON SIMMONDS
Transcontinental Media
SUMMERSIDE — Pretty and text-book softball it was not; exciting it certainly was. Welcome to the opening game for the host P.E.I. Source for Sports Twins and Saskatoon Diamondbacks from Saskatchewan at the 2007 Causeway Bay Softball Canada national junior men’s fastpitch championship Sunday afternoon. The two teams combined for seven errors and 13 unearned runs in the Twins’ 13-9 victory.“It was a wild one,’’ said Twins head coach Scott Bridges. “Both teams made some mistakes, both teams hit the ball and it was one of those games that whoever persevered the longest was going to win. We showed a lot of heart.’’ The Twins, who trailed 9-6 after four complete innings, scored six runs in the top of the sixth for a 12-9 lead. Pinch-hitter John Arsenault drew a leadoff walk, Alex MacDonald walked and Devan Praught was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Colin Dillon, who singled and scored standing up on a three-base error in the fourth inning, reached second on a throwing error that cleared the bases and tied the game 9-9. Ryan Gallant followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Matt Dawson scored Dillon on an infield groundout. Jeremy McKinnon, who later scored on an error, singled to plate Gallant. MacDonald hit a leadoff home run in the seventh inning to close out the scoring. “Our bats were tremendous,’’ said Bridges. “To score 13 runs in the junior nationals in one game is impressive, and they’re a pretty good team.’’ Jon Venoit earned the pitching win in relief of starter Donnelly Archibald. Pierre Richard recorded the save. Richard worked two scoreless innings, allowing only a two-out single in the seventh. Jeremy Kenny took the loss.
“Saskatchewan was ranked fourth coming in and we were ranked seventh or eighth,’’ said Bridges. “We can compete with these teams, no question, and we just have to play seven innings.’’ The Twins scored four runs in the top of the first inning to get the enthusiastic crowd at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Very Important Volunteer Field into the game. But Saskatoon responded with five runs in their first at-bat. Saskatoon led 7-4 after three innings. Each team scored twice in the fourth. “The message after the game was that there are going to be lots of peaks and valleys throughout the week, and we can’t get too excited or down too much,’’ said Bridges. “They were like yo-yos in that dugout today (Sunday).’’ Seven of Saskatoon’s runs were unearned while the Twins scored six unearned runs. Bridges says errors are part of junior ball. Next up for the P.E.I. Source for Sports Twins is the Scarborough Wolverines, the Ontario 1 representative. The two teams will clash tonight. Game time at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Very Important Volunteer Field is 8 p.m.