Best senior teams head to London
The Tecumseh Jr. Thunder (above) captured the 2015 London Invitational Tournament and are looking to defend their title this weekend against 13 other teams.
By Dan Estey
Canadian Baseball Network
A preview of the 2016 Lakeside Tourmament taking place in London and St. Thomas his Canada Day weekend. There are 14 teams in the field this year. I will have an in-depth look at each team participating in this year’s tournament by league.
Central Ontario Major Baseball League (COBA Major)
Milton Red Sox (Record: 7-8; 4th Overall COBA)
The Milton Red Sox have been playing some steady fundamental ball after some inconsistencies earlier in the season. Their pitching staff seems to be coming into form while the bats have been heating up for the past few games. The are only 1 1/2 games behind the Niagara Metros and will be looking to press them down the stretch for the Johnson Division Title this summer.
Offensively, SS/3B Kevin Greer (.378/17 H/4 2B/1 3B/10 RBIs) seems to be getting back into form after having to rest last season because of a knee injury. After starting the year off as a DH he has progressed back into the plans in the Milton infield. Rookie Troy Findlay (.341/14 H/2 2B/1 HR/4 RBIs) has been a nice addition to the Red Sox line-up this season currently sitting 2nd in average on the team. Veteran 2B Don Smith (.293/12 H/1 2B/3 RBIs/9 SB) has been a catalyst at the top of the order this season while OF James Bruce (.292/12 H/2 2B/4 RBIs) has contributed both at the plate and in center field. On the mound, LHP Damian Clarke (2-0/1 Sv/0.47 ERA/8 K) has emerged as the team’s ace this summer. he has been sensational in his 19+ innings of work for GM/Coach George Moore. Veteran RHP Ian Zettle (0-2/2.36 ERA/8K) has also been solid this summer despite his record in 26 1/3 innings. RP Steve Jablonski (2-1/1 Sv/0.73 ERA/14 K) has been throwing extremely well out of the Milton bullpen and seems to have grabbed the closer role for the summer.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Ilderton Red Army 11:00am @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Tecumseh Jr Thunder 9:00am @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Sarnia Braves 2:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Erindale Cardinals (Record: 6-11-1; 7th Place Overall COBA)
After a rough start to the season, Erindale has been playing much better of late. The results haven’t really shone through based on their league record but they have been more competitive as of late. The bats, after a sluggish start, have started to come around more while their pitching and defense have both improved from last year. They had 4 very competitive games in Vaughan and have carried that into league play since then and are looking to continue to build on that in London.
At the plate, they are lead by C/OF Jay Woodford (.333/21 H/6 2B/1 3B/4 HR/15 RBIs). The veteran has been absolutely on fire as he currently leads the team in hits, doubles, home runs, and RBIs. 1B/DH Chris Novia (.340/17 H/4 2B/2 HR/12 RBIs) has been up and down this season but has the ability to turn it on in an instant with his strength and power. 3B/SS Pip Murray-Smith (.409/18 H/2 2B/6 RBIs) has been solid at the top of the line-up as well as in the infield playing multiple positions when needed. On the hill, RHP Brendan Fox (2-1/2.54 ERA/13 K) has given the team a chance to win every time he has toed the rubber. LHP Andrew Mullin (2-2/7.03 ERA/32 K) is tied with Fox for the team lead in wins and leads the team in innings pitched (32) and strikeouts (32). Mark Taplin (0-2/1 Sv/5.73 ERA/11 K) has the 3rd most innings on the team and has been solid out of the pen this season.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Michigan Collegiate Braves 5:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Tecumseh Sr. Thunder 11:30am @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Martingrove White Sox 4:30pm @ Dan Pulham
Mississauga SW Twins (Record: 11-6; 2nd Overall COBA)
The Twins haven’t been as dominant as they have been in past years but are still putting together a very solid season. They lost a few big pieces from their squad last year as Sean Bignall is overseas teaching and Eddie Largy and Mike Fantauzzi had other engagements come up this season. New comers 2B Josh Federico and P/3B Tomas Rincon have done a good job filling at bats and innings in their absence. This team always seems to have a different gear come tournament time and this year should be no different.
1B/OF Jerome Smith (.474/18 H/2 3B/1 HR/11 RBIs) is second on the team in average behind 2B Brendan Emmett (.500/14 H/5 2B/1 3B/8 RBIs). Both guys have been solid at the dish and have both really picked it up over the past two weeks heading into London. Chris Piccini (.455/20 H/6 2B/11 RBIs) has been swinging it well over the course of the season leading the team in hits thus far. Michael Cardinale (.346/15 H/4 2B/2 HR/13 RBIs) has been catching fire as of late in league play as well. Billy Hurley (4-0/3.86 ERA/16 K) continues to be the ace of this very deep Twins pitching staff. He has gotten off to a solid start to his year and looks poised to help lead this team back to the Canadians again. Jordan Petruska (3-1/2.36 ERA/12 K) has also been throwing extremely well this summer while newcomer Rincon (1-0/2 Sv/1.62 ERA/14 K) has been solid both as a reliever and a starter.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Martingrove 2:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Michigan Braves 11:30am @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Ilderton Red Army 2:00pm @ Norm Aldridge
Oakville A’s (Record: 6-14; 6th Overall COBA)
The A’s have been struggling a bit so far this year in COBA Major play but have some veteran sticks and arms that can get some big wins when needed. Even though they went 1-2 at the Vaughan Vikings Tournament, they had a very convincing 15-3 win over a very strong East York squad. They really have been able to synch up their offense and pitching in league play and will be looking to London to try and right the ship and get back on the right path.
3B Marc Walton (.436/24 H/5 2B/2 HR/11 RBIs) has been swinging it very well over the last little bit and is now leading the team in hitting. OF Alex Kupchak (.349/22 H/3 2B/1 3B/4 HR/17 RBIs) has followed up his great rookie season with another solid year so far. Rookie Nic Burnell (.327/17 H/3 2B/5 RBIs)has been a great addition to the Oakville lineup while INF Thomas Biskup (.286/14 H/2 2B/9 RBIs) has also been solid this season. RHP Gord Robertson (2-2/5.93 ERA/12 K) has been the top pitcher for the A’s this season. Curtis Braun (1-1/7.63 ERA/17 K) and Walton (1-1/6.07 ERA/6 K) have both contributed innings as well to a staff that has had a few struggles this season.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Vaughan Vikings 5:00pm @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs St Thomas Tomcats 10:00am @ Emslie
Saturday, July 2nd vs Michigan Collegiate 7pm @ Byron
Niagara Metros (Record: 9-8; 3rd Overall COBA)
The Niagara Metros return to the London Tournament for the first time since 2009. The team has still been performing well but record wise they are under achieving a bit compared to their last few seasons at this point in the year. That being said, they still have a very deep lineup and can contend with any team if given the opportunity to hang around in games. They will be in tough in London with a difficult schedule that will really test their depth and resilience.
Veteran catcher Jono Marcheterre (.400/18 H/3 2B/1 HR/8 RBIs) leads the team in average this season as well as being a valuable tool for a young Metros pitching staff. 1B Ryan Laird (.333/15 H/2 2B/1 HR/12 RBIs) has RBIs been swing it well this season while 2B/SS Jordan Grant (.339/21 H/1 2B/6 RBIs has been a valuable part of the offense as well. C/3B Evan Baglieri (.309/17 H/4 2B/8 RBIs) numbers have drop a bit from previous years but he is still producing at the plate. Former IBL & Brock Badgers hurler Dylan Perego (2-0/1.60 ERA/20 K) has been the ace of the Metros pitching staff so far this summer. Geoff Strong (1-1/2.49 ERA/20 K) has also been throwing well for Niagara this year while Brandon Beattie (1-0/0.82 ERA/8 K) and Brian Kusey (2-1/5.11 ERA/10 K) has been sharp both as spot starters and out of the pen.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Michigan Braves 8:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Michigan Collegiate 12:30pm @ Byron
Saturday, July 2nd vs Tecumseh Jr. Thunder 3:30pm @ Byron
Greater Toronto Baseball League (GTBL)
Martingrove White Sox (Record: 2-10; 6th Overall GTBL)
The White Sox are still towards the bottom of the GTBL standings this season but they have been improving a bit each game. Playing in the Toronto loop with some tough opponents on a nightly basis has helped Martingrove to improve but they will still be in tough this weekend with a pretty tough schedule.
Duncan Perry (.393/11 H/1 2B/1 RBIs) is listed as the top hitter for average on the White Sox squad. Scott Angus (.333/8 H/2 2B/7 RBIs) leads the team in RBIs while Anand Puran (.143/4 H/1 2B/1 HR/4 RBIs) is second on the team in that category. Adam Frydman (1-4/1 Sv/7.15 ERA/34 K) leads the team in innings pitched this summer. Mike Bannon (1-0/3.27 ERA/12 K) has been statistically the best performer on the team this season while Chris Gott (0-0/1 Sv/1.50 ERA/7 K) has been throwing well this season for Martingrove as well.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Mississauga SW Twins 2:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Erindale Cardinals 4:30pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Sarnia Braves 7:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Southwestern Baseball League (SWBL)
Sarnia Braves (Record: 9-5; 4th Overall SWBL)
The Braves have been playing some good baseball as of late coming into this weekend in London. The core of the team has remained intact over the past few seasons which has allowed this team to gel together and improve each year. They had a rough go in the Cam-Am loop two years ago but since making the move to the Southwestern loop, the team has been able to gain some confidence and improve on a yearly basis.
Alex McLean (.340/18 H/1 2B/3 HR/22 RBIs) has been the team’s top run producer this season thus far. Justin Randall (.516/16 H/3 2B/1 3B/3 HR/15 RBIs) currently leads the team in average and is tied with Mike Damchuk (.273/12 H/3 2B/1 3B/3 HR/15 RBIs) for the team lead in home runs. Craig Vannus (.393/22 H/4 2B/13 RBIs) has also been putting together a solid season for the Braves. Damchuk (4-0/1.20 ERA/26 K) is also a threat on the mound as he is tied for the team lead in wins with Wade Babula (4-0/1 Sv/4.82 ERA/25 K). Nick Baljeu (3-0/1 Sv/1.35 ERA/25 K) has also been excelling on the mound giving the Braves a solid trio at the top of their rotation.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Tecumseh Jr. Thunder 11:00am @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Milton Red Sox 2:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Martingrove White Sox 7pm @ Dan Pulham
Ilderton Red Army (Record: 8-4; 3rd Overall SWBL)
I dont have any statistical information on this team as they don’t track team stats. The only info I have on this team is what I saw when they were playing in the Vaughan Invitational Tournament. The team performed well offensively advancing to the semi-finals on Sunday before bowing out to eventual tournament champs the Thornhill Reds by a score of 15-5 in five innings. Jordan Townsend threw an absolute gem against the Brampton Royals defeating them 1-0 and striking out 14 batters. Mitch Lumley also threw well in his game beating the Erindale Cardinals 2-1 in the quarter-finals in a tightly contested game as well. With the injection of youth they have received this year along with a good core of veterans look for this team to be in the hunt in their games.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Milton Red Sox 11:00am @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Vaughan Vikings 9:00am @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Mississauga SW Twins 2:00pm @ Norm Aldridge
St. Thomas Tomcats (Record: 8-3; 2nd Overall SWBL)
Like Ilderton, this team also does not have any statistics to be able to post but they have been performing well in the SWBL this season. Their losses in league play have come against the Strathroy Royals (0-1), Exeter Express (1-1) and Sarnia Braves (1-1). They also have some big wins against some tough teams as well. The Tomcats have a tough schedule but look for this young team to be a threat and possible pull off an upset.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Tecumseh Sr. Thunder 2:00pm @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Oakville A’s 10:00am @ Emslie
Saturday, July 2nd vs Vaughan Vikings 2:00pm @ Emslie
Can-Am Senior League (Can-Am)
Tecumseh Sr. Thunder (Record: 18-7; 1st Overall Can-Am)
Last year’s Canadian Senior Baseball Champions got off to a bit of a rocky start this season but have been coming together over the past few weeks to now lead the Can-Am loop. Their roster had a bit of a turnover after last season as a number of players did not return to the team this year. Manager Jamie Kell was able to fill those spots with a bunch of talented players up from the Tecumseh Jr. Thunder and also add Ryan LaPensee, a former Arizona Diamondbacks farm hand in 2012, and Connor Soulliere from the Windsor Selects program. The Thunder won this tournament two years ago and last year bowed out in the quarter-finals to Kyle Breitner and a tough Etobicoke Rangers squad. This will be a tough team to contend with this year again and should be one of the teams to beat this weekend.
Senior rookie Chris Horwood (.394/28 H/5 2B/2 3B/6 HR/18 RBIs) has been having a monster season so far leading the club in average and home runs. Veteran Mitch Delaney (.333/10 H/2 2B/4 HR/15 RBIs has also been swinging the bat well while fellow vets Eric Cunningham (.306/22 H/6 2B/1 3B/1 HR/12 RBIs) and Paul LaMantia (.300/21 H/7 2B/2 HR/24 RBIs) have been helping pace a very balanced Tecumseh offense this season. Both Soulliere (5-0/2.76 ERA/13 K) and returnee Joel Pierce (5-0/1.53 ERA/33 K) have been a solid 1-2 punch for the Thunder on the mound this season. Brandon Lindquist (2-0/0.50 ERA/13 K) has been doing a solid job both starting and coming out of the pen for manager Kell while Alex Murphy (2-0/1 Sv/2.55 ERA/7 K) has been throwing well so far this season.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs St. Thomas Tomacats 2:00pm @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Erindale Cardinals 11:30am @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Michigan Braves 4:30pm @ Norm Aldridge
Tecumseh Jr. Thunder (Record: 6-15; 7th Overall Can-Am)
The Tecumseh Jr. Thunder are the defending champions of the Lakeside Tournament as they defeated the Michigan Area Senior Braves by a score of 12-2 in the championship game. Record wise, it has been a bit of a struggle for the 2015 Canadian Jr. Silver Medallists who lost the majority of their roster to the Sr. Thunder this season but still have some pieces that can cause some damage and know how to win at the highest level. This team will be out to defend their title and will be a tough out every time they are on the field.
Ben Baltrusiunas (.364/12 H/2 2B/4 RBIs) is listed as the team’s top hitter for average in their most recent stats update. Austin Oulds (.293/17 H/1 3B/5 RBIs) leads the team in hits while Mitch Sobocan (.289/11 H/1 2B/2 3B/5 RBIs) and Alex Seguin (.255/13 H/2 2B/5 RBIs) have also been swinging good stick for the Jr. Thunder. Shane “Shooter” Courtney (2-4/1 Sv/4.79 ERA/22 K) is listed as the teams top hurler and also has the most wins. Webber Snow (1-2/2.95 ERA/19 K) has had a good year on the hill while Noah Pickering (1-0/3.05 ERA/18 K) has also had a solid summer season so far. Despite the lower numbers for these three guys, don’t be fooled as they can all take over a game in an instant on the bump.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Sarnia Braves 11:00am @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Milton Red Sox 9:00am @Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Niagara Metros 3:30pm @ Byron
Ontario Senior Baseball Association (OSBA)
Vaughan Vikings (Record: 5-4; 6th Western Conference)
The Vikings had a bit of a rough go at their tournament going 0-3 in the round robin portion and not advancing to the playoffs on Saturday night. The team has been performing well in league play even though they have drop their last couple of games in the process. This is (to my knowledge) their first trip to the London Tournament and will be in tough with some tough opponents but this gritty club could surprise a few teams if taken too lightly.
Julian Testani (.458/11 H/2 2B/1 3B/6 RBIs) leads the team in average to this point in their season. Marco Sacilotto (.316/6 H/2 2B/7 RBIs) currently leads the team in RBIs while Jon Thiesen (.583/7 H/1 2B/4 RBIs) has swung a solid stick in limited game play. Emilio Paglia (2-1/2.40 ERA/ 15 K) and Wes Siekris (2-1/3.77 ERA/ 16 K) both lead the team in wins and have logged the majority of the innings for the vikings this summer. Luca Paese (1-1/5.25 ERA/6 K) also has a win on the bump for Vaughan as well.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Oakville A’s 5:00pm @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Ilderton Red Army 9:00am @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs St. thomas Tomcats 2:00pm @ Emslie
Michigan Collegiate
For the Michigan Collegiate squad this will be their first trip to the London Tournament. I have absolutely no info about this team.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Erindale Cardinals 5:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Niagara Metros 12:30pm @ Byron
Saturday, July 2nd vs Oakville A’s 7:00pm @ Byron
Michigan Area Sr. Braves
For the Michigan Area Sr. Braves this is their third trip to the London Tournament and they have faired very well in all three years including a trip to the finals last year where they lost to the Tecumseh Jr. Thunder 12-2 in five innings. The team, coached by Jim Cosmerick, is always a very dedicated, hard working group of individuals who predominately play ball in the states for a US College or University during the school year. These guys are always a very solid team and will challenge again this year in the tournament.
There is no statistical information available for this team as well.
Schedule
Friday, July 1st vs Niagara Metros 8:00pm @ Dan Pulham
Saturday, July 2nd vs Mississauga SW Twins 11:30am @ Norm Aldridge
Saturday, July 2nd vs Tecumseh Sr. Thunder 4:30pm @ Norm Aldridge