The Roth Law Bantam Select team ended their baseball season on a high note with a walk-off 7-6 win against Flesherton in the WOBA championship tournament on Saturday.
Needing a win to have a chance to play in the final on Sunday, the Nationals got off to a slow start when the Rangers posted 4 runs in the top of the first. Undeterred, the Nats clawed their way back but were still down one run heading into the bottom of the final inning.
Holden Duebbers started the last inning with a walk and ended up on third after stealing two bases. With Nolan White-Roy at the plate, he faked a bunt causing the Flesherton pitcher to balk which brought in the tying run. White-Roy then stroked a line drive single up the middle. Mathew Tuer then put the ball in play moving White-Roy to second. Next, Anthony Guzvinec battled to a walk. After White-Roy advanced to third and Guzvinec to second on steals, the stage was set for Jared Jackson at the plate with two outs and the game on the line.
After a short battle, Jackson singled up the middle to bring home the winning run which brought his teammates off the bench to mob him in celebration.
The win brought Stratford into a three way tie for the opportunity to play in the Sunday Final. The Nats had to wait to learn their fate. All three teams were still tied after the first tie-breaker. Owen Sound dropped off after the second tie breaker leaving Stratford and Flesherton still tied. Unfortunately for the Nationals, they lost by one run on a differential which ended their season.
However, the boys ended their season on a high note with a very exciting win.
The final game saw excellent pitching performances from Daemyn Marlow and Nolan White-Roy who held the Rangers to only two runs after the first inning with a combined five strikeouts.
In the lead-off position, Riley Collens had a double, single and walk for Stratford. Wyatt Murray stroked two singles and Marlow added a single. Holden Duebbers had a double and Jacob Roth was on base twice.
Anthony Guzvinec bombed a lead-off double in the fourth inning and scored.
Matthew Tuer stood out on the field and played excellent defensively at second base.
Sam Szmon and Noah Wilker played excellent defensively for the Nationals in right and left field respectively.