CLARK'S HARBOUR, NS – The Clark's Harbour Foggies captured the U15 AA Atlantic Baseball Championship with a perfect 5-0 record over the Sept. 14-16 weekend.
It was all Clark's Harbour in their opening game as they hammered the Summerside Chevy's 18-0. Ben Nickerson, Drew Goreham and Destinee Penney combined for the win on the mound. Ethan Shand had a home run, double, and a single, with Nate Wickens belting a double and two singles.
Game two had the Foggies dump the Moncton Cubs 13-3. The Foggies broke open a close 5-3 fourth inning lead, by pouring on eight more runs in the last few innings to seal the victory. Austin Surette, Ethan Brannen and Jordan Belliveau combined for the win on the bump. Ben Nickerson and Tanner Nickerson paced the offence with two singles each, while Vinny Surette added a double.
The last game of round robin play was once again all Clark's Harbour as they slammed the St. John's Caps 12-1 in five innings. Ethan Brannen struck out eight batters for the mound victory, while adding a double and a single at the plate. Vinny Surette had a triple and two singles, with Jacob Matthews adding a pair of singles. Quade Shand had a 2-run single in the game.
In the semi-final matchup the Foggies came out swinging, scoring 12 runs in the bottom of the first as they pounded the NB champions, the Riverview A's, by a score of 16-1 in four innings. "It was amazing what took place in the first inning scoring all those runs" said Coach Andrew Holland. "The same pitcher and team tied us 0-0 in a tournament three weeks before. We just came out swinging and belted the baseball like I've never seen before."
Ben Nickerson was the winning pitcher for the Foggies. Nate Wickens slammed three doubles, Vinny Surette two doubles and a single, Ethan Brannen a double and two singles, with Ethan Shand and Austin Surette adding a pair of singles each. In other semi-final action the Moncton Cubs upset the Amherst Athletics 5-3 to advance to the title game.
The championship game saw a good pitching matchup, as the Foggies’ Ethan Shand outlasted Moncton pitcher Nick Dupuis for the hard-earned victory. Clark's Harbour jumped out to the early lead and held on for the 6-3 final, claiming the Atlantic title. Austin Surette picked up the save in relief for the Foggies. Nate Wickens, Ethan Brannen and Ethan Shand all belted a pair of singles during the win.
Ethan Shand was named the tournament's Top Pitcher, while catcher/shortstop Nate Wickens was named Tournament MVP.
This ends the season for the Foggies with a record of 47 wins, 7 losses and 1 tie. The team also captured the NS provincial title, the Moncton Invitational banner and gold at the Summerside Chevy's Invitational.
Coach Holland would like to thank assistant coaches Carmen Brannen, Scott Surette, and Scott Shand for all their time and expertise during the season. The coaching staff would also like to thank the parents and many relatives who followed the team for their dedication and support, and especially the players of the 2018 Foggies for a great work ethic, team atmosphere, and fantastic summer of baseball.
