Knights impress at provincials
We got stuck on this crazy side of the draw – the four top teams were all on one side.... The level we had to play at was incredibly hard. We did a great job and came up one run short.
An extra-innings loss kept the Prince George Knights from advancing to the playoffs at the B.C. Minor Baseball bantam double-A provincial championship tournament.
On Monday in Burnaby, with a spot in the semifinals up for grabs, the 15-and-under Knights fell 7-6 in nine innings to Cowichan Valley. The game was a tiebreaker, as three teams had finished pool play with 3-1 records.
“We had chances, we just couldn’t get the clutch hits when we needed them,” said Knights assistant coach Russell Pratt. “Against a very good team, we gave them a very good game.”
Prince George and Cowichan Valley were tied 6-6 after the regulation seven innings.
As much as the game was decided in the late stages, the first inning was also a significant factor in the eventual outcome. The inning started with Cowichan Valley’s leadoff hitter reaching base and then being thrown out while trying to steal second. The next batter drew a walk and the third man up hit what looked to be a double-play ball to shortstop. Unfortunately, the infielder couldn’t pick the ball up cleanly and both runners were safe. And, as the baseball gods would have it, the cleanup hitter blasted a three-run homerun.
“We clawed back, but if we eliminate those little mistakes, we’re going to be fine,” Pratt said.
“We got stuck on this crazy side of the draw – the four top teams were all on one side.... The level we had to play at was incredibly hard. We did a great job and came up one run short.”
Cowichan and Victoria clashed in Monday night’s championship game and Victoria – up against a depleted Cowichan pitching staff – prevailed 5-4.
The Knights started the tournament with a 1-0 win against Ridge Meadows and then beat Ladner 6-4. Next came a 3-1 loss to Cowichan Valley and an 11-2 victory against Vernon.
During the event, the Prince George players were noticed for their sportsmanship and dedication to the game. Afterward, the team received a congratulatory email from tournament director Trevor McGuire. It read, in part: “It was obvious to all what has been assembled here is a great team. The program in PG is obviously a great success. Thankyou... for everyone’s hard work on producing one of the best all around teams I have seen for many years.”
Buck Schmidt is head coach of the Knights and his staff includes Brad Kreitz and Blake Miller.
The Knights will be right back in action this weekend at the Baseball B.C. provincial tournament. Ridge Meadows is the host club, and many of the same teams as last weekend will compete for the title.
— Russell Pratt