Dartmouth finishes out of medal contention at nationals

Bearcats return to action Friday, attempting to lock down fourth place

The Dartmouth Moosehead Dry finished play at Baseball Canada’s 2017 Men’s Championship with a record of two wins and two losses, leaving them out of medal contention.

Hosted by Victoria, B.C., the Dry opened the tournament with an 11-1 victory Thursday over Newfoundland and Labrador. That evening they suffered a 3-0 loss to Mississauga, Ont.

Friday morning, Dartmouth faced the British Columbia entry and lost their second game of the tournament, 8-6.

The Dry rallied for an 8-2 win over Sherwood Park, Alta., Saturday to even up their record, but failed to advance. Only the top three teams in the five-team pools moved on.

Fredericton Royals, representing New Brunswick, finished 3-1 in pool play and advanced to the medal round with a 5-4 qualifier victory over Mississauga. The Royals were slated to play Sherwood Park on Sunday, with the winner going on to the goldmedal game and the loser going to the bronze-medal game. NSSBL resumes Thursday Dartmouth (14-9) returns to league action Thursday when it hosts Halifax (16-10) in a 7 p.m. game.

This weekend will decide who takes fourth place, and the final playoff berth. Truro Bearcats and Kentville Wildcats have been going back and forth for weeks, with the Bearcats (8-18) in the driver’s seat, a game and a half up on the Wildcats (6-19).

Friday, Truro hosts Dartmouth at the TAAC Grounds in a 7:30 p.m. start.

Kentville’s last gasp attempt to take fourth will see them host league-leading Sydney Sooners (18-6) for three games, the first Friday night at 7 p.m. and then a doubleheader Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. A win in any of the three games by the Sooners earns them the regular season crown.

The Bearcats wrap up their 2017 regular season, again hosting Dartmouth Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 5 the Dry take on Halifax at Mainland Commons at 7 p.m. A rainout between Sydney and Dartmouth is yet to be determined.