Off to nationals
Sooners off to Vancouver for Little League nationals
Sydney Sooners heading to Vancouver for Little League tournament.
Matthew MacDonald and his Sydney Sooners teammates are looking forward to the trip of a lifetime.
The team of 11- and 12-yearolds claimed the Major Division Atlantic title with a two-game sweep of Lancaster, N.B., over the weekend. That series win earned the team a spot at the 2016 Canadian Little League Championship in Vancouver, Aug. 4-13.
“It’s a complete honour, especially for some of the 12-yearolds like me because I won’t be able to play (Major Division) Little League next year and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’re not going to get this chance again,” said the Sydney centre-fielder, affectionately called “Bug” by his friends, family and teammates.
“It’s awesome playing the sport you love out west and meeting a bunch of new friends, it’s going to be an action-filled two weeks. Probably one of the best times of my life. I can look back and tell my kids that.”
It’s been a Cinderella story for the Sooners this year. Down 2-0 in their best-of-five provincial championship series against the storied Glace Bay McDonald’s Colonels, Sydney stormed back to win the next three games to earn the right to play Lancaster for the Atlantic crown.
“Once we won (Game 3), we knew we had to comeback and battle harder,” said MacDonald, who also pitches. “When we won (Game 4), the momentum just shifted and from there on out, we just played good baseball and came together as a team.”
Sydney manager Jason Landry said along with resilience the team has shown in recent weeks, he has a versatile roster. He has six players who can step on the mound at any time and others who can play just about any position if need be.
“Not knowing what to expect is a bonus. You don’t really know what you’re facing so it could be a good thing,” said Landry, a Loisdale native in his first year coaching baseball. “Just go out, have some fun, take in the whole atmosphere of a trip across the country and hopefully, the baseball goes well.”
The Sooners open play on Aug. 4 against the host Hastings Little League.
“Just get off to a good start,” MacDonald said of the opener. “Losing one game can change the mood of your team. It can bring down your energy and confidence, so we need to go out there, have hot bats and play good, solid baseball.
“I know the teams up there aren’t going to be so easy, so we need to come together as a team and play Sooner ball.”
The Canadian champs move on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 18-28.