麻豆社区

The Wintemute Electric Brewjays emerged the champions of the Division 1 Whitehorse Slo-pitch Co-ed League opening tournament this past weekend.

They defeated the Ridge Pub 14-12 in a tightly contested final.

The Wintemute team boasts the youngest line up in the league, with the average age of the athletes falling between 15 and 19.

This season marks the first time the team has played in the top division.

"The kids were nervous going in. They're pretty young and they don't have a lot of experience but they've got the will and they can compete,鈥� said team coach, Dan Jordan.

"I think they surprised themselves. They're great little athletes.鈥�

In Division 3 action, the Sportslife Ravens topped Sandor's Sluggers 18-6 in the final.

The Ravens, now in their third season together, entered the final having not lost a game over the two day tournament.

"It's a really fun team,鈥� said Lonny Borgfjord, the team representative. "Everyone appreciates one another and works well together.鈥�

Aside from their chemistry, the Ravens also had momentum on their side.

They closed out the league last summer with a championship and also won the midseason Dustball tournament.

"It's three in a row for us now so we're pretty happy with that,鈥� said Borgfjord. "

It's nice to have that break in between, to have the winter off and come back and still have that chemistry.鈥�

Team cohesiveness was also a key to victory for the Wintemute team.

"They're always looking to improve,鈥� said Jordan.

"That's what's great about them. Even though they win, they always want to get better. They have great chemistry. It's a great bunch of kids and a lot of fun to be around.鈥�

After a high scoring first inning for both sides, the rest of the game became a defensive battle.

A key defensive stop came in the top of the fifth inning when Wintemute's third baseman, Sam Jarvis, was able to snag a line drive down the third base line.

"It was an unbelievable catch,鈥� said Jordan.

"It was absolutely screamed at her. If that thing were up in the air it would have went 50 feet over the fence but that's what they do to me every time they play.

There's always a moment where you shake your head and wonder how they made a play.鈥�

Bud Arnold, the league's secretary and treasurer, said he can remember when the Wintemute team was barely old enough to play in the league.

"It was a really good effort by them,鈥� he said.

"We were worried about them moving up (to Division 1) but they're a solid team.鈥�

The Ravens may be joining Wintemute in the top division in the near future.

"They've been together for a few years,鈥� said Arnold.

"They are one of those Division 3 teams that are near the top and expected to win.

I imagine they'll move up a division, eventually.鈥�

Complete Concrete took third place Division 1 while Kubota Hoes rounded out the top three in Division 3.

Divisions 2 and 4 will be on the diamonds this weekend from June 1 to 3 for their opening tournament.