Astros get bronze at U16 nationals

The Astros’ bid for the finals was cut short by the Chepstow Lang Farms club from Ontario who won by a 7-4 score Sunday at Prime Minister’s Park.

It was a 3-2 Chepstow lead heading into their half of the third inning, before they blew it wide open with a five-spot to take a 7-2 lead.

After Logan Bell hit a solo home run, Jacob Van Boekel reached on an error to keep the inning alive, which also scored a run. That set the table for Brenden Newell, who hit a three-run home run to give Chepstow a commanding lead.

“That was a turning point for sure,” said Smith of the error. “That one through the legs, the home run after that and then they scored four runs. The score was 7-4, so we’re right in that game if we make a few plays there, for sure.

“A couple costly errors hurt us today.”

Astros speedster Calvin Napope gave the hosts some life. With two outs, Napope hit a clutch two-RBI single to make it a 7-4 after five innings.

UPDATE: Chepstow the eventual champs

After beating the Astros, Chepstow went on to win the national title. They beat their fellow Ontario counterparts, the Glencoe Home Run Force, 7-0 at Prime Minister’s Park.

Astros 6 Newfoundland Eastbound Speedway 4

The Astros advanced to the semifinals with a clutch 6-4 win over the Newfoundland Eastbound Speedway Sunday morning at Prime Minister’s Park.

Astros ace Cameron LeBlanc went the distance, giving up four runs, two of them were earned, scattering eight hits and striking out three. LeBlanc was named the player of the game.

The game was even with both teams trading runs. They were tied at 4-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth, before Astros speedster Calvin Napope scored on a double steal and Cory Krawec scored shortly after on a passed ball.

Project Triple Play

The U16 fast pitch national tournament was the first tick on the checklist for Project Triple Play, an initiative put on by the Aallcann Developmental Fastball Organization (ADFO).

Next in line are diamond improvements, necessary to bring the 2018 ISF Junior Men’s World Championships to Prince Albert. All proceeds from the nationals will go towards the diamond improvements.

Some of the U16 Astros may put on the red maple leaf to represent Team Canada in 2018 international tournament in their hometown, as well as some of the other talent in the nationals this year.

“We’ve been telling those boys all year, keep at it, keep hard into ball and keep going at it because you have a chance to possibly wear a Team Canada jersey at some point in time,” said Smith.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Astros get bronze at U16 nationals

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