Force of nature shakes softball tournament

TAVISTOCK — This force of nature can't possibly fly under the radar any longer.

The Scarborough Force erupted for their second major men's fastball tournament title this summer on Sunday. This one came at the Cephas Roth Memorial, with a convincing 6-1 decision in the final over the three-time defending world champion Hill United Chiefs of Six Nations, Ont.

Softball folks talk about Hill United and even the Toronto Gators and New York Gremlins when they project who might capture the world title next month in Moline, Ill. But surely another team has entered that conversation.

And as usual, the Force — ranked a distant sixth in the world in the International Softball Congress rankings last month — hit the cover off the softball and replied on versatile pitching.

Scarborough's all-world roster — representing Venezuela, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Denmark, New Zealand and Canada — rolled undefeated here, including a clutch 4-1 victory over the Gremlins in Sunday's semifinal action.

This weekend, it was Force second baseman Jorge Lima's turn to step up. The 31-year-old Venezuelan lawyer hit a lusty .687 here, with seven RBI and three homers through six games en route to his tourney MVP selection.

In Sunday's title game, the compact-swinging Lima went 2-for-3 with a two-run blast. He also scored two runs.

"We've been training through the week and I feel confident with it," Lima said through an interpreter, his teammate, Scarborough relief pitcher Juan Potolicchio from Argentina. "Hits are contagious."

Scarborough ignited for eight hits off Chiefs pitchers Ryan French of Kitchener and reliever Grant Patterson.

The Chiefs were held to four hits on Sunday, including a pair of singles by Australian shortstop James Todhunter.

Last month, the Force clobbered the Gators 19-7 in the Peter Hallman Memorial's title game. Scarborough also defeated Hill United 7-3 earlier at that St. Clements tourney.

The Chiefs — who outscored their opponents 57-5 through their first five games in Tavistock — weren't too disappointed about their weekend, said coach Larry Lynch of Kitchener.

Hill United went without ace Adam Folkard this past weekend. The Aussie fireballer, back home with his wife and young child, is expected to return to the Chiefs in time for the North American Challenge in Mitchell, Ont. later this month and for the rest of the season.

"Not taking anything away from the Force," said Lynch. "Because they've got a great team. But I got to believe when we have our boy on the mound, we will give them a little better game."

Of course winning at Tavistock was a nice mile marker along the way, but the Force have their eyes on a different prize.

"We flew from far away (to get ready for the world tournament)," Lima said.