Midget AAA Bearcats break even at national elimination tournament

The Alton Gas Truro Bearcats settled for a 2-2 record and third-place finish in their pool at the recent Baseball Nova Scotia 18U (midget) AAA national elimination tournament.

The Bearcats opened with a 7-1 win over the Hammonds Plains A’s. Matt Leblanc went 3-for-3 at the plate and threw a gem from the mound, as he allowed just two hits and struck out five before handing the ball to Dawson Briggs to close out the final three innings.

Stone, Kamryn Matheson and Connor Angers each doubled and singled for Truro.

In Game 2, the Bearcats scored four first-inning runs, but fell 7-5 to the Halifax Mets.

Connor Irwin threw a complete game for Truro in 95 pitches, retiring his arm for the weekend from the ’Cats rotation.

Mackie Marquis doubled for the Bearcats while Leblanc, Matheson, Nate Stone and Zack Betts added singles.

Against the Tri-County Rangers, the Bearcats fell behind 7-0 and came up short in an 11-8 loss.

Justin Ferguson allowed only just hit in the final 21/3 innings for the ’Cats, giving them the opportunity to come back.

Briggs led the Truro attack by going 5-for-5 with a double and four singles, while Leblanc doubled and singled and Ryan Rath had a pair of hits.

In their final round-robin game, the Bearcats clobbered the Kentville Wildcats 11-3.

Leblanc and Briggs again split duties on the mound.

Luke Smith’s second-inning two-run hit put the Bearcats up 3-1. Mats Stone’s fourth-inning double cashed three runs to break the game wide open. Ferguson went 3-for-3, while Angers tripled and singled, Rath added a pair of hits and Betts singled.

The Mets and Dartmouth Arrows are scheduled to play the final tonight in Dartmouth.