October 12, 2023

By Bob Elliot

Canadian Baseball Network

Bobby Bonilla was known as Bobby-Bo when he was slugging home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 1980s.

Was Benito Bonilla known as Benny-Bo when he put on a hitting display for the Brewers/Langley Blaze?

Well, we’re not sure but as the 25th annual Perfect Game Rawlings Wood Bat Tournament wound up, Bonilla knocked in four runs as the Brewers Langley Blaze blanked Baseball U Prospects.

Six pitchers combined on the three-hit shutout and compiled eight strikeouts in the consolation game of the 104-team tournament played at Roger Dean Stadium and the minor-league spring homes of the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. A total of 73 Canucks competed and as Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Van Horne used to say after the final out of the game: “And … we’ll be back shortly with the wrap up.”

RF Bonilla was 2-for-3 with a double and a single as the Brewers scored three times in the second and two more in the fourth. 1B Evan Dugdale (Maple Ridge, BC) singled in the other run as Joey Marino (Surrey, BC) added a double.

RHP Jack Thompson (Langley, BC) started for the Blaze and put up a quick zero, allowing one hit and needing only 10 pitches --60% strikes -- as he hit 86 mph.

RHP Owen Fernandes (Maple Ridge, BC) was next with another zero, walking one and striking out the side. He needed 19 pitches -- 63% strikes -- as he hit 87 mph.

LHP Carter Germain (Maple Ridge, BC) gave up one hit in his 14-pitch effort -- 65% strikes -- hitting 86 mph. RHP-OF Kyu Lumsdon (Langley, BC) was most economical needing only seven pitches -- 71% strikes -- and hitting 87 mph.

RHP Tristan Eberle (Regina, Sask.) was the workhorse on the day as he pitched two innings allowing one hit and fanned three. He threw 34 pitches -- 61% strikes. -- hitting 86 mph. LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) finished up with a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out a pair. In his 16 pitches -- 56% strikes -- he hit 89 mph.

The other hits went to Rémi Lemay (Ste-Martine, Que.), CF Briggham Kokotailo (Langley, BC) and 3B Keegan Drinkle (Maple Ridge, BC) each singled.

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CF Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.) was 0-for-1 with three walks in a 5-4 Canes National/NY Mets Scout Team win over Cangelosi Sparks in consolation play.

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RHP Carson Tehan (Lasalle, Ont.) did not pitch for Trosky National which was 6-0 winner over USA Prime Scout in quarter-final play.

Tosky was edged 2-1 in the semi-final by Dulins Dodgers Performance.

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And in the championship ... 5 Star/Top Tier Roos Mafia finished with eight straight wins winning the final 1-0 over Dulins Dodgers.