National championship ahead for U18 Bearcats
Brook eld’s Sears has strong showing on the world junior fastpitch stage
The Truro Bearcats under18 AAA baseball team recently earned the right to represent Nova Scotia in Canadian championship play in Fort Mcmurray, Alta., Aug. 16 to 19.
e Bearcats went undefeated in the seven-team N.S. national elimination tournament played
in Dartmouth and Sackville. Truro defeated the Kentville Wildcats 4-0 in the championship game.
Before heading west, another challenge faces the Bearcats.
“ is requires immediate fundraising for these young athletes to represent N.S. at the highest under-18 level.”
Facing tight timelines to gather funds, the Bearcats are open to any sponsorship possibility. Anyone interested is asked to call Marquis at 902 986-1911.
“We would appreciate any kind of support from a business or individual.”
To this point – some businesses and individuals have stepped up and made donations and the Bearcats are grateful. But, to get to the tournament in Fort Mcmurray, there’s still quite a distance to go.
“These ball players certainly deserve to go.” assistant Bearcats coach Dean Angers said. “ ey’ve worked hard, many of them have been playing together since under- 13 ball, they’ve come a long way together. As young baseball players, they’ve developed to quite a level. ese guys carry themselves well as young athletes.”
A 10-year local coach, Angers is in baseball for all the right reasons.
“To have stayed in baseball, it’s been because of the love of the game. To see kids enjoying playing baseball, this is what keeps a guy coming back.”
Marquis, a Dartmouth native, enjoyed an outstanding career in baseball. A shortstop with Dartmouth Moosehead Dry for 13 Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League seasons, the man with the good hands was a leader as Dartmouth won eight N.S. championships as well as bronze, silver and gold medals in national play. Marquis has been involved with the Bible Hill-truro Minor baseball Association for 10 years.
“I’ve enjoyed working with coaches Dean Angers and Curtis Briggs. Curtis is the founding father in developing a team that could compete at the national level. To see 10 kids, who came along through this association, get to play in a national championship, it’s a real good feeling.”
Let’s meet a few of the Bearcats.
Tanner Greatorex, age 15, Truro, out elder: “I really enjoy playing with this team. ese guys take the game serious, there’s good team spirit and we all get along well together.”
Chad Russell, age 18, New Glasgow, pitcher-catcher: “Travel is not bad – travelling into a culture where the players really want to win, I like it. We have a group of ball players who always show up for the big games. At the national level we’ll have to come ready to play big every game. We’ll have to nd a way to win.”
Mackie Marquis, age 18, Truro, third-baseman: “For three years now, we’ve been coming together as a team. We’ve put our hearts into this, we’ve worked really hard realizing this would give us a real good chance to go to nationals. It’s been great to put it all together and win the national elimination tournament, it was our goal since our rst year.”
■■■
Rowan Sears is a quiet, personable young athlete. Getting to taste some of the action on the world stage in early July, Sears, a shortstop, played for Canada in the 2018 WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Championship in Prince albert, Sask.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Sears, 18, of Brook eld, said. “ e guys I got to play with are going to be like brothers for life.”
A variety of questions did not phase Sears.
“Japan impressed me, they played the game hard, the right way. Layton Reid of Australia, he was de nitely the standout pitcher. I’ll never forget the large crowds, six to 10 thousand people in the stands, backing you and cheering for you. It was incredible.”
Sears played well, he was strong at shortstop and he came through at the plate, including a game-winning single against USA. Leaving the province Monday, Sears is a member of East Hants under-23 Mastodons, who are in Quebec this week competing at nationals.