2014 Major Mosquito '03 | Jun 08, 2014 | Jackson Lale | 1579 views
Tournament Champs
The St. Thomas Optimist Mosquito Cardinals are on cloud nine right now after winning the Trevor Barton Memorial Tournament.
With a thrilling pair of comeback wins Sunday at Stronach Park in London, the Cardinals captured the championship in the weekend event hosted by the London Badgers.
After finishing the round robin at 2-1, a third place finish set up a morning rematch with a really strong Thornhill team. The Reds has beaten the Cards by one run to open the tournament on Friday night. Trailing 8-2 after four innings, St. Thomas finally were able to chase the Reds fireballing starter from the game. In the final three innings, they hammered the bullpen to the tune of 11 runs for a comeback 13-8 win.
The victory set up a Championship final with undefeated Stratford. The title game was one of the most entertaining games of the season. Both teams went back and forth throughout with multiple lead changes. Trailing by two going into the top of the seventh, the top of the Cardinals order came through. Hit after hit, produced five runs and while the Indians were distraught, the Cards needed just three outs for a Tournament win.
Great defence in the final inning was the key to victory, and it ended with a 13-10 final.
The kids immediately rushed the mound and celebrated their first tournament win.
Silas Hulst picked up the win in relief in the final, with Christian Vecchio closing it out with a one inning save. Logan Mosher was named Tournament MVP after going 10-14 at the plate including a Grand Slam Home Run, and also picking up a win on the mound Saturday. Other pitchers picking up wins were Jamie Noviss (Semifinal) and Trevor Loebach. All 12 players played a big role in this victory, and now a Championship and semifinal appearance in two tournaments this season.