The 100 Mile 'N Hour squirts finished one win away from a perfect season at U12 provincials in Sooke on July 10-12, winding up an incredible run and medal haul this summer.
Coach Rob Sanford says it was a tough loss in the finals to a determined host team for 100 Mile, which was going for its fourth gold medal of the season.
“It really was an incredible season and I couldn't be more proud of the whole group. From fundraising to having fun, we did it right. It was 25 years ago I went to Sooke and came home with provincial silver, and honestly, the memories we brought home then and now are more than the colour of the medals we brought home.”
Three gold and one silver for the season is a stat that will be hard to match, Sanford adds, but 100 Mile 'N Hour will be ready for that challenge.
“A super huge thanks to all of our volunteers and, most of all, our sponsors. Without all of our sponsors, 100 Mile would not have the dominant fastball program that we do.”
Heading into the tournament, 100 Mile was getting great pitching from Colton Sanford and Jackson Hooper, and it seamed like no team could stop them, the coach adds.
“This group of 12 boys and one girl cleaned house in the round robin, outscoring the opposition 40 runs to 12.”
In Game 1, 100 Mile beat Sooke 13-0. Hooper was MVP.
Game 2 saw 100 Mile over Surrey, 5-4. C. Sanford was MVP.
Hayley Edlund won MVP of Game 3, in which 100 Mile beat Barrier, 15-2.
In Game 4, 100 Mile won 7-2 over Surrey and Virgil Kennedy was MVP.
100 Mile beat Sooke 13-4 in the semi-finals and Ethan Sanders was MVP.
Sooke handed 100 Mile a 9-2 loss in the finals. Aiden Moore won MVP of the game for the local squad.