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22 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010 Whitecaps set early tone Little League seniors win first game at provincials It didn't take the Oakville Whitecaps long to prove they belong at the Provincial Senior League Baseball Championships. In their first game of the seven-day tournament they're hosting at River Oaks Park, the Whitecaps exploded for 12 runs in the first two innings yesterday (Thursday), setting the early tone in a 15-7 romp over the East Nepean Eagles. Oakville did not have to qualify for the provincials because the host has an automatic entry. "It wasn't so much we had to prove ourselves," said Dennis McLeod, who led the Oakville attack with a 4-for-4 afternoon and five runs batted in. "You just have to represent yourself and do what you can, show everyone you should be here and that you're not just here by default." That was the theme of Whitecaps coach Nick Rigato's discussion with his team before the tournament began. "It was really important that we came out strong in our first game to show we belong here," Rigato said. "That we're not just a lameduck host and that we're here to represent Oakville Little League and the town of Oakville with a lot of pride." While it didn't take the Whitecaps long to legitimize themselves as worthy provincials participants, it did take a long time to officially record the victory. Little League rules mandate any pitcher that throws more than 30 pitches in a game cannot pitch the following day, so coaches from both teams wore out a path to the mound as the afternoon contest wore on. The game was basically over after two innings, by which point the Whitecaps had already built a 12-0 lead. East Nepean had a six-run uprising in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a couple Oakville errors, but never really threatened the Whitecaps the rest of the way. Along with McLeod's solid afternoon at the plate, Nolan Whitted also came up big offensively for the Whitecaps. He drilled a two-run triple to center in the first inning, then added a two-run double in the second frame. Rigato was beaming about Whitted's contributions following the game. "He was a last-minute decision to play," said the coach. "He's struggled this year with a lack of confidence, but last practice he started hitting the ball. I (told him) `you're going to start and something big is going to happen for you. I'm so proud of him." Michael Dimitroff scored four runs for the Whitecaps, while Alex Therrien, Nick Harma, Nick Taylor and McLeod each scored twice. Stephen McPhaden, Anthony Rigato and Whitted scored Oakville's other runs. Therrien earned the pitching victory with a scoreless first. The Whitecaps, who were initially scheduled to play their first game Wednesday but had it postponed by rain, continue the roundrobin today (Friday) with a 6:30 p.m. game against South Ottawa. -- Jon Kuiperij NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER FAST START: Stephen McPhaden of the Oakville Whitecaps delivers a run-scoring single during yesterday's 15-7 Oakville win over East Nepean at the Provincial Senior Baseball League Championships. Local lacrosse player shooting for national peewee title this weekend Jay Lanchbury knew his Burlington peewee lacrosse team could be a contender for the provincial title this year. That changed when Kyle Maksimovich arrived to play for his team this year. Now Lanchbury considers his team among the favourites for the Ontario A peewee championship. The team has posted a 28-3-1 record this year and will likely battle Clarington or Whitby for the championship. It shouldn't come as a surprise then that those three teams will be well represented on the provincial team this weekend at the Ontario Lacrosse Festival, which serves as the national peewee championships. Maksimovich is one of four Burlington Chiefs on the Ontario team, selected from more than 200 players who tried out. Maksimovich is the Chiefs' second-leading scorer but because of his strong play in his own end, particularly on the penalty kill, Lanchbury expects that he'll play more of a defensive role on the Ontario squad. "He's one of the purest athletes I've ever coached," Lanchbury said. "His quickness is fantastic and he's punishing when it comes to hitting." In hockey, Maksimovich plays a year up with the Toronto Marlies Maksimovich will be joined by Burlington teammates Ryan Lanchbury, Kyle Hebert and Callum Jones. "It's really a nice accomplishment for them," Lanchbury said. -- Herb Garbutt MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVER NATIONALS COMPETITOR: Local resident Kyle Maksimovich will suit up for Team Ontario at this weekend's national peewee lacrosse championships.