GUELPH – When the Guelph Silvercreeks clinched the regular season pennant on July 26th with a 9-2 victory over the Stratford Nationals, the team finished the year with an impressive record of 17-2-1.
The Silvercreeks were in first place almost the entire season and fans could sense that this was a team on a mission. Going into the provincial Elimination Tournament in Windsor in August, the Creeks were considered a favourite to win the OBA title, but instead suffered a heartbreaking exit in the later rounds.
Left to lick their wounds, the team picked itself up off the canvas and finished what they had originally started in May. The Silvercreeks went forth and won the ICBA 22U Championship at venerable Hastings Stadium.
The Silvercreeks lost their opener to the pesky Waterloo Tigers 2-0. Undeterred, the Silvercreeks bounced back with an 8-3 victory over Kitchener and a tight 9-8 win over the Hamilton Junior Cardinals.
The Silvercreeks entered the semi-final round against an old nemesis, the St. Thomas Tomcats. Guelph would prevail over its historic rival, with a 2-1 victory, setting the stage for a rematch with Waterloo for the championship.
Unfortunately for the Waterloo Tigers, the clock struck twelve on their Cinderella playoff run, and the Silvercreeks handled the tabbies quite easily, coming away with a 10-3 Championship victory.
TOURNAMENT REPORT
Game 1:
Silvercreeks 0- 2 Waterloo
Game 2:
Silvercreeks 8 - 3 Kitchener
Game 3:
Silvercreeks 9 - 8 Hamilton
Semi:
Silvercreeks 2 - 1 St. Thomas
Final:
Silvercreeks 10 - 3 Waterloo
TOP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PERFORMERS
Mendonza 2B
2-4
1 R, 4 RBI's, 2B
Ellis RF
3-4
2 R, SB
Kowara 1B
2-4
2 R, 3 RBI's, HR, SB
Blamauer SS
1-2
1 R, SB
Martinez DH
1-3
1 RBI's,
Camilo LF
1-2
1 R, SB (2)
PITCHING STANDOUTS
Thornton SP
3 IP, 4H, 2 ER, 2 K
Philp RP
4 IP, 2H, 1 ER, 1 K
IMAGE COURTESY GAR FITZGERALD