BRIAN BATES,
Special to The Standard
SCUGOG: Port Perry advanced to the finals of the Saugeen Shores 15U tournament, by virtue of winning four straight games without a defeat in two days of competition.
The final game was against Aurora, with both teams finishing first in each of their divisions.
As anyone who witnessed this championship game will tell you, it was a thrilling game to watch; both teams going toe to toe, only to be tied 3-3 after seven innings of regulation play.
Aurora began in extra innings with a runner placed at second base and none out, re international rules. After a scoreless eighth inning by both teams, Aurora moved ahead 4-3 in the top of the ninth.
Port Perry, with Ava Marshall on second, Erin Correa at-bat, as called upon by Coch Bates, laid down a perfect bunt advancing speedy Ava Marshall past third and heading home. Aurora threw home, to cut off the tying run, to no avail, as Ava scored. This allowed Erin to advance to second.
Jordynne McClurg, with two out, hit a sharp single through the infield, to allow Erin to score the winning run, to earn the Saugeen Shores U15 tournament Championship for 2022.
Both teams are to be congratulated for the excellent play throughout the tournament, especially in the championship game, having to go to extra innings to determine the winner.
The coaching staff of Ty Azzolin, Brian Bates and James Hancock all agreed, the reason for success this past weekend was due to the strong pitching performance of both Kaitlyn Hancock and Kaley Doerfler, backstopped by Laina Tavernier along with Julia Stewart.
Not to be denied, was also, the strong play from all team members, especially from Jordynne McClurg, Erin Correa, and Ava Marshall.