CLARK'S HARBOUR, NS – The Clark's Harbour Foggies won the U15 AA Provincial Championships with a 4-1 record, during the eight-team tournament hosted by Hants North over the Labour Day weekend.
The team will now compete in the eight-team Atlantic Championship being held Sept. 14-16 and hosted by Amherst.
At provincials the Clark's Harbour squad dropped their opening contest 9-7 to a heavy tournament favorite from Glace Bay. The Antonians stretched their lead to 9-2 before a last inning rally by the Foggies. Game MVP Austin Surette pitched three solid innings during the loss, while Ethan Shand and Ethan Brannen belted a pair of singles each at the plate.
Game two had the Foggies edge the Hants North Jays 4-1. Austin Surette picked up the win on the mound. At the plate Game MVP Nate Wickens slammed a pair of RBI singles.
Needing a win to advance, the Foggies then downed the Amherst Athletics 4-1 to advance to semi-final action. Game MVP Ethan Shand and Nate Wickens combined for the win on the bump for the victors. Destinee Penney and Ben Nickerson both picked up an RBI single and each scored a run.
Semi-final action seen the bats come alive as the Foggies hammered the Stellarton Albions 8-1. The Clark's Harbour squad broke open a scoreless tie with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on the way to victory. Jordan Belliveau earned the win in relief of Game MVP Ethan Shand. Jacob Matthews and Austin Surette had a double and a single each to pace the offence.
In the other semi-final matchup, Game MVP Jacoby Ford pitched a solid game as the Weymouth Firebirds upset the Glace Bay Antonians 3-1, setting up a final contest between the Southwest rivals who were 3-3 against each other on the season.
The Foggies would take the rubber match in the championship game, as their bats continued to roll on the way to a convincing 15-1 final to claim the provincial banner. Game MVP Ben Nickerson picked up the win on the bump. Vinny Surette paced the attack with a triple and a double, while Ethan Brannen had a triple and a single, and Tanner Nickerson had two singles.
"The team had their backs against the wall after losing the opening game" said Coach Andrew Holland. "But like all good teams they kept the course, pitching well and playing solid defense until our bats could get going. It's been an amazing summer for this team, and we hope to continue on with it through the Atlantics."
This provincials tournament gave the Foggies a 41-7-1 season record.
