Ontario Green and Black play to a scoreless tie to end Day 1

Ontario Black starting pitcher Mitchell Clark (Windsor, Ont.) of the Windsor Selects. Photo Credit: Jonathan Soveta

By: Jessica Patton

Canadian Baseball Network

It was a pitcher’s duel in the final game on day one of Tournament 12 as teams Ontario Black and Ontario Green duked it out to a rare 0-0 tie.

Ontario Green’s (0-0-1) RJ Freure pitched five innings of one-hit ball, while Mitchell Clark went for four also allowing a single hit for Ontario Black (0-0-2).

Team Green coach Greg O’Halloran was impressed with the pitching from both sides, but did mention the help of the default 1-1 count that each batter has going up to the plate-a rule specific to the tournament.

“It’s tough when there is 1-1 counts,” said O’Halloran after the game. “I think the pitcher’s definitely have the advantage.”

With four errors registered in the contest, three by Black who had already tied Alberta Red earlier in the day, it appeared that both teams were still getting rid of first-day jitters.

“Three hits in the game and four errors, I think everybody was a little nervous,” said O’Halloran. “Everybody wants to do really well.”

The first error of the game came in the top of the first. Black’s Ari Sechopolous dropped a routine throw across the infield allowing Green’s Cooper Davis to make it to first. Later on in the inning, Davis would steal second and reach third on Black’s second error by catcher Zach Fascia.

Green couldn’t capitalize, however, and left Davis stranded at third to end the top of the first while Black would end the inning going three up, three down.

Davis stood out for team Green, registering their only hit as well as being credited with a stolen base, something that the Ontario team would attempt more than a few times through out the game. 

“It’s a showcase tournament, so we want to show these coaches and scouts what we can do,” said Davis after the game. “That’s tailored to my game (stealing bases) and shows my speed.”

The next three innings remained quiet staying at 0-0 as both teams failed to capitalize with runners in scoring positions.

Ontario Black’s Noah Skirrow replaced starting pitcher Clark in the beginning of the fifth inning.

Black found themselves in danger at the top of the sixth with runners on first and third with only one out. But a routine double play quickly put a stop to that.

Green’s Matthew Jones came in for Freure to start the sixth and gave up only one hit. They would close out the game on a double play of their own, leaving it a scoreless 0-0 tie.

As for a game plan for tomorrow when the tournament continues, coach O’Halloran hopes to get Green to be more aggressive.

“I’d like to see us put the ball in play. When you put the ball in play anything can happen.”

Next up for Black is a rematch again Green Wednesday night at 8:30 while Green will face British Columbia Orange (0-0-1) earlier in the day at 3:30.