The Oceanside Reds finished second at the Tadpole U9 Regional Baseball Championships held in Duncan, July 8-10.
The championships featured 12 Vancouver Island teams from Duncan, Campbell River, Gordon Head, Salt Spring Island, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Comox Valley and Parksville Qualicum Beach.
The Reds, ages ranged from seven to nine-years-old, had a perfect record in the pool play, going 4-0 to earn a spot in the gold medal round against the Nanaimo Pirates.
The Pirates took a huge lead early, but in the fourth inning the Reds launched an exciting four-run comeback only to fall just short and lose 8-5.
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“It’s a big accomplishment for our smaller organization and for kids who haven’t had regular ball for two years due to Covid,” said Nicole Matthewson, Reds U9 coordinator.
A skills competition was held during the regionals that included a home run derby, won by the Reds’ Emerson Mant, who sent six balls out of the park. The base race was won by Gordon Head, the relay was won by Campbell River Tyee and the around-the-horn competition was won by Nanaimo.
The Reds team consists of Ryder Matthewson, Emerson Mant, Ben Alderdice, Greyson Phillips, Lukas Geekie, Gage Cowan, Linden McLinton, Luke Harris, Marcello Tromba, Nolan Kroeger, Parker Wood, Reed Sigouin, Evan Geekie, Chris McClinton and Chad Cowan. The head coach is Jason Matthewson and the assistant coach is Ellis Mant.