Niagara Falls, Ontario
Speed kills and the Aussie Colts used their team speed to slay two all-star teams from the Golden Horseshoe Fastball League in a doubleheader last night in Niagara Falls.
Armed with a string of left-handed slap hitters who run like gazelles, the Australian Junior Men’s National Team will be very difficult to defend against at the ISF Junior Men’s World Championship in PEI starting June 24.
The Aussies jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning in game one as Adam Raptis slapped a double, stole third and scored as James Brooks reached on an error.
The GHFL roared back, scoring four in the home half of the first, highlighted by a Mike Bateman home run off Aussie starter Brooks. Matt Lyons opened with a double to the fence followed by a solid single by Tim Coe. Scott Young cashed them both with another double to the fence and came around to score on Bateman’s opposite field shot.
In the top of the second inning, the Aussies strung together a triple by Andrew Ratten and five infield singles from Josh Jones, Damien Nairn, Raptis, Brooks and Nick Green, pounding the ball into a hard infield and beating out a series of bunts and high hoppers, scoring five runs to take a 6-4 lead.
The GHFL closed the gap to 6-5 as Mike Welton scored on another double off the fence, this one by Mark Hall off reliever Ryan Van Coeverden. A solo home run by Travis Southam restored the two-run lead for the Colts as Adam Folkard came in to shut the door, striking out the side in the final two innings.
Starting pitcher Scott Wagar took the loss, giving up seven hits and five earned runs in three innings of work while striking out six. Dan Deumo tossed three innings of relief, striking out four while giving up the Southam home run and a single to Aussie game MVP Adam Raptis.
Bateman was named the MVP for the GHFL.
Van Coeverden was the winner in relief of Brooks, with Folkard getting the save.
Folkard started on the mound in game two much the way he finished in game, throwing hard gas and mixing in a world-class change-up, string out four in the first two innings with a hit batter the only blemish on his record. The GHFL managed only a bunt single by Trevor Moses in the fifth as the offenses from both teams were handcuffed by the pitchers.
Garon Clough had the first of two singles in the second inning, reached second on a passed ball and stole third before coming home on a double by Van Coeverden. Clough scored again in the fourth, stealing second and third after a one-out single and then coming in on a passed ball.
Chad Reed worked the first two innings and took the loss, despite striking out five and giving up only the two hits and the lone run. Duane Singer threw two innings of relief, allowing four hits and one run. Rick Hames pitched a clean fifth for the GHFL.
Folkard took the win with relief from both Brooks and Van Coeverden. Game MVPs were Clough for the Aussies and Reed for the GHFL.
Game 1
Australia 7 GHFL 5
WP: Ryan Van Coeverden in relief of James Brooks, save Adam Folkard
LP: Scott Wagar, relief Dan Duemo
Aussies string together a triple and five infield singles pounding the ball into a hard infield and beating out a series of high hoppers to score 5 runs in the second.
Game 2
Australia 2 GHFL 0
WP: Folkard, relief Brooks, Van Coeverden
LP: Chad Reed, relief Duane Singer, Rick Hames
Not a lot of offense in this one, but Aussies twice steal third setting up both runs.
Two very competitive games with good defense displayed by the Aussies and the GHFL (at times). These kids are incredibly quick with a. They will be very difficult to defend against and have no hesitation on the base paths and will swipe second, third and home if you aren’t wary. Not a lot of power, but Travis Southam and Andrew Ratten can hit the ball deep. Folkard was very good, getting 10Ks in four innings of work and not allowing a hit.
They’re also a bunch of very friendly ball players and are going to be tough to beat in PEI.
Thanks to all the GHFL players, Herb Beckman, Al Greatrix and Rob Sampano for looking after the Niagara All-Stars and Brian Costie, Will Lake & Paul Gilmour for the Waterdown All-Stars. Special thanks to Lindsey Carroll, Laing Harrow and the Aussie Colts for making the trip to the Falls and for two competitive games.
For those that were unable to tune in to our webcast through BallPark Radio.com, archive files of both games will be available in the very near future.
Cheers,
Blair Setford
Golden Horseshow Fastball League
www.ghfl.ca
mail to: blairjs@rogers.com