The Sechelt Sluggers capped off an undefeated season winning their second straight provincial boys fastball championship last month in Surrey.
Midget-level fastball teams from around B.C. met at Softball City for the final tournament. Coaches Tim Hayward, Colleen Vaughn, and team manager Ann Hayward, had five returning players from 2009 and seven new players, drawn from the Sechelt Minor Softball co-ed fast-pitch program.
Team strategy was to use a combination of speed, versatility, and strength to advantage.
Colton Vaughn, Corey Bergnach, Brady Bjornson, and Dustin Robinson led off the charge, setting the standard for base stealing over the course of the tournament. Veterans Lucas Hayward, Rhys Amber, and Qasim Khan, applied their long experience in the game to advance runners on base, with the strength of Mark Chabot creating scoring opportunities and Cameron Duncan lived up to his reputation of coming through with powerful hits in big games. Newcomers Ross Lanskail and Bradley Kohuch joined Kenny Tyson to round off the line-up, using their resilience and speed to end one rotation and begin the next.
The Softball City fields are among the best in the province; with large crushed red-rock infields and grass that could make a golfer drool, making for a fast paced game.
On the mound, Qasim set the pace for the Sluggers, and refused to be sidelined despite a serious injury in an exhibition game with the Fleetwood Marlins the week before. Closing for the Sluggers, Lucas pounded his fastball into Rhys' glove, putting a seal on the gold medal game by striking out the last three batters with the bases loaded.
In the field, Marc dominated first base with his long reach and outstanding right hand glove.
Vaughn's strategy was to effectively eliminate a fixed second base field position, with shortstops' and second basemen sharing the base according to the direction of play. On the right side, Kenny made an outstanding catch going backward on the play, and along with Ross soaked up hard hit grounders to close the door on the infield. Brady and Colton barricaded the left side corridor with their fast reaction time and throw speed, leaving more than a few runners caught short.
Cameron caught a bullet line drive on third and a short-side ground ball on the bounce, and Bradley attacked the ball with vengeance to make the throw to Mark's outstretched glove.
Duncan, who injured his hand in the first game, Corey, who became ill during the tournament, and Qasim and Mark, who were both injured just prior to the tournament, reflected the indomitable spirit and determination of this Sechelt team by continuing to play with excellence and without complaint.
-Submitted
