June 26, 2023

By Dan Estey

COBA Major

The Windsor Stars marched into the Vaughan Grove Sports Complex and ran the table going 5-0 as they won the 2023 edition of the Vaughan Vikings Invitational.

The Stars kicked off things with a 12-0 mercy shortened win over the Vaughan Vikings 22U team. Noah Pickering grabbed the win on the mound. In five innings, he spun a no-hitter, hitting one, walking five and struck out six. Offensively, Windsor was led by Noah Renaud who was 3-for-3 with four runs and four RBIs as well as Jake Lumley who was 2-for-3 with a double, a sac fly and four RBI.

The Stars squared off against the Brampton Royals and managed to get a hard earned 8-5 victory Saturday morning. Jack Zimmerman went four innings to secure the win allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits. He hit a batter, walked one and struck out three. Jake Rajsigl threw the last two innings allowing one run on three hits. He walked one batter and struck out one. At the plate, Windsor was led once again by Renaud who was 3-for-4 with a triple, a double, three runs, an RBI and two stolen bases. Colin Robinson was 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk, a run and two RBIs.

The Stars took on the Ajax Spartans of the GTBL and Windsor was able to come away with a very decisive 14-2 win also on Saturday to finish pool play at 3-0 and first place in Division A. Renaud went the distance for the Stars allowing two runs on eight hits, while striking out five. Lumley led the offense charge going 4-for-5 with a home run, four runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases. Carter Reh was 2-for-2 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs.

The Stars met up with the Newmarket Hawks and in a close affair, escaped with a 7-4 win in the semi-final game. Colton Taylor collected the win going a strong five innings aloowing one run on three hits. He walked four batters while striking out 10. Kimani Bailey pitched the final two innings allowing three runs -- two earned -- on four hits. He walked one and struck out five. Lumley, again, was the offensive catalyst going 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs, and RBI and a stolen base. Anthony Dufour was 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBIs.

This set the stage for a rematch of last year’s provincial championship game as the Stars took on the Sarnia Brigade in an early battle of two of the premier teams in Ontario. After the dust settled, Windsor, coached by Ron Smith, reigned victorious 9-4. Josh Shepley worked five innings allowing one run on three hits to grab the win. He walked one while striking out six. Bailey and Noah Ricardson each worked an inning as well in this game. Anthony Dufour (two RBIs) and Andrew Wasyluk (RBI)were both 2-for-3 with a run-scoring fly ball while Mitch Hudvanger was also 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and an RBI.

Windsor Stars run the table to win Vaughan tourney