MITCHELL ADVOCATE Versatile, deep Astros pummel opposition en route to T1U OBA crown ANDY BADER Outscoring their opposition 59-9 in five games at the Ontario Base- ball Association (OBA) 11U ‘C’ division in Listowel over the La- bour Day weekend showed how dominant the Mitchell Walther’s IDA Astros were in claiming the Provincial title. The Astros used depth and ver- satility to defeat their opponents, using eight of their 11 | players on the mound at the WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 9 CHAMPIONS: 2024 The Mitchell NU Astros captured the Ontario Baseball Resecesttoh oe en, jonship in Listowel Aug. 30-Sept. ra sae members are (back rd, Jeff Havens and Chad ‘oachi Cc II, Jason ee Middle row (left): Owen Dietrich, Boe cae Brooks Ward, Myles Havens, Riley Hayter, Aiden Crawford, De wer Verberne, Kane Doug- las and, in front, Liam Chessell, Leo Furtney dl Beckett Elligsen. After earning a bye to the late af- ternoon Aug. 31, Mitchell carried on where they left off, soundly de- Mitchell showed some moxie when they rallied in the bottom en ee second inning right after Stratford to host 2/th annual Dragon Boat festival The iconic dragon boat proudly stands in Stratford’s downtown square, heralding the upcoming 27th annual Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. Set against the picturesque back- drop of the Avon River, this year’s event will take place on Sept. 14. The festival, a cornerstone of the community, is poised to cross asignificant milestone: a cumula- tive total profit of $1 million. This Rotary Respite Hone and various educational scholar: In addition to its aone im- pact, the festival is a celebration ofresilience and community spirit, Organizers are again honoured to welcome breast cancer survivor teams who, through their strength and hope, inspire all. Their pres- ence underscores the event's role in promoting recovery and supporting those affected by this dedi: behind Hayter’s pitching. The tall right-hander surrendered five hits andjust two cae nmaeveripes, and-two-thirdinnings, striking out four and walking one. Czajkowski finished up on the mound. Offen- pine volunteers, and the oe ie ree, ae deficit of the tour- nament. Bi mid- dle to aake of the order came through as Czajkowski, Douglas and Owen Dietrich managed to tie the game at 3-3. The Astros then left no doubt to th Ft der -- Chessell, Havens, Crawford, Beckett Elligsen and Hayter --all hadtwohits, while: Burtpeyiedwith, BI and the club C afour-runrallyin the third, thanks to singles from Hayter, Dietrich, Douglas and Brooks Ward. The d for 21 hits -- Di- for seve! three-day 12-team hontntene They also used a dynamic top of the batting order to get their of- fence rolling early and often, the best example being Liam Chessell, Myles Havens and Aiden Crawford leading off the bottom of the first inningin their second game of the tournamenta: as alas as patient Against their ape from Lis- towel Sept. 1, the Astros again cruised to victory, combining for 10 hits ina 9-0 rout behind Craw- ford on the mound. The Astros’ starter allowed five hits and one walk wee striking Pa six over is of gainst. back-to- pee so ‘back inside-the- park hom Talk about akc astatement. They won that contest 12-0, as Chases ae reliever Kane Doug- las combined for a one-hitter over five innings. Earlier in the day, Mitchell blanked Corunna 10-0 in five i innings, as Havens and re- liever Leo Furtney combined ona five-i aan hitter, striking out eightand walking just a pair. Brock Czajkowski and Riley Hayter had homeruns and threerunsbattedin for the Astros, while Chessell also had a pair of hits, including a two- a ‘aig in the second inning to his fi third inning: work, vera helped his own cause by going 2-for-3, including a triple and a double, and adding etrich driving in four on a 2-for-3 day--while catcher Hayter collect- ing four hits. Chessell and Douglas each had three hits while Denver Verberne, Elligsen and Ward also had multiple hit outings to power the total team effort in the victory. Chessell got the nod on the mound for Mitchell, and yielded seven hits and three runs, walking three but striking out five. Cza- jkowski fanned five in providing effective long relief, allowingthree hits whileal 1 three RBI while edahomerunand twohits. Havens also collected two hits and a walk while scoring three runs. Elligsen displayed mop up duty on the hill to preserve the shutout. The win advanced the Astros to the OBA final, and since they were unbeaten, would need to lose twice, but the hungry \Mitch- ell squad didn’t leave anything to chance, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit to build a 7-3 lead over Grimsbyenroutetoal5-6 triumph and the title. ing three before good luck charm Elligsen closed the win after six innings. The Astros, winners of the OBA ‘D’ title when most of the team were 9U in 2022, went 25-2-1 overall this season, including tour- naments. They placed third last season in the 11U ‘D’ tournament. iragon boat feain and spectators alike. The funds raised have played a crucial role in supporting numer- ous local initiatives, including the Stratford Rotary Complex, the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth, The Dragon Boat Festival also serves as a vibrant showcase"of Stratford, drawing over 45 teams, tors. This influx of visitors offers aunique opportunity to highlight the beauty and hospitality of Strat- ford and surrounding area. Youngsters lead Mets inshutouts ~ Jared VosperandSam Diamond,a pair ofyoungarms associated with the veteran-laden Mitchell Mets, pitched back to back shutouts in leading the club over Milverton in recent Huron County Fastball League action. Vosper went the distanceina2-0 shutout at home Aug. 28, helping his own cause with an RBI-single in the bottom of the first to cash a lead-off single. Brian Eidt singled, walked and scored an insurance runin the fifth while Derek Elliott addeda triple. fine season of OBA baseball, winning gold and three silver, orrunner-up finishes, with their 15U, 18U and senior As- tro teams. match in their home-and-homeset in Milverton, Diamond went the distance on the pitching mound, yielding six hits while walking one and striking out five. He, too, helped his cause with three hits, ni add some insurance. Vosper opened the scoring with a solo homer in the fourth, while Barry Eidt stroked atwo-runbomb of his own in the sixth. Scott Lea- less doubled, singled and scored twice for the Mets. Mitchell sports an 8-10-1 record atpress time, sittingin eighth spot inthe 13-team standings. The Mets will host the year-end playoff tows- nament this weekend, Sept. 13-15, in Keterson Park. Belmore is the top seed heading into the playoffs but the Brussels Tigers have won the title six consecutive seasons and look to make it seven. \ { ,