On their 16th regular season game , the Sudbury North Stars , now at  14-2-0 clinched first place and the Commissioner's Cup . This now gives the team a direct bye to the semis the second round of the 2010 playoffs . The game had a playoff atmosphere about it  and not surprising since the season ending playoff round is only about three weeks away . Both pitchers , John Ainslie of the North Stars and Matt Tobobundung of the Parry Island Hawks (they won the Commissioner's Cup in 2009 ) were at their best supported by excellent defense both in the infield and the outfield .. Some timely hitting combined with strong base running helped the cause of both teams .The North Stars took a 3 to 1 lead into the third inning after scoring a pair of runs in the opening frame and a single in the second . The Hawks added their second run in the 4th inning to make it a close one run ball game . The Hawks score two big runs in the top of the sixth on the clutch hitting double of short stop Craig Brown . In the bottom of the seventh , Matt Tobobundung strikes out the first batter up for the North Stars but then the next two are walked putting the winning run on second base following a double steal . A costly overthrowing error to third base in an effort to tag out the runner off the base winds up in the left field to score the tying and winning run . Ainslie went the distance in picking up his 11th win of the season against 2 losses in allowing 4 runs (all earned) on 11 hits while striking out 6 batters and not issuing a single base on balls . Matt Tobobundung (4-4) suffered the loss , his fourth of the season allowing 5 runs (2 unearned in the costly bottom of the seventh ) on 9 hits while fanning 6 batters and issuing 3 base on balls . Craig Brown of the Hawks led the way in a losing cause going 3 for 4 (double , triple , 2 runs batted in ) with teammate Richard Jason going 23 for 4 (run scored , RBI) .Dwight Beers hit 1 for 3 (triple) for the North Stars . We will have a photo of this year's 2010 Commissioner's Cup winners , the Sudbury North Stars in Tuesday's write up . This was the nightcap .

                                       In the opener which only lasted the minimum 5 innings , the Pickerel River Cardinals behind the fine pitching of Alex Ashawasagai (1-0) , his first full outing of the season  dumped the last place Whitefish Lake Steelers 12-5 .The game was called because of the 7 run mercy rule . Alex gave up 5 runs (4 were earned) on 9 hits while striking out 3 batters and issuing but one single base on balls . Danny Nootchtai (0-4) suffered his 4th mound victory of the season giving up 12 runs (11 earned) on 11 hits while fanning 2 batters and issuing 2 base on balls . Ed Panamick Jr , Cardinals (soon to be a first time father) led all hitters going a perfect 3 for 3 (2 doubles ,3 runs scored ,RBI ) .Teammate Earl Contin went 2 for 3 (home run [his first of the season], 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in ) . Misadice Rice on a tear of late hit 2 for 3 (double ,run scored ,RBI ) in a losing cause for the Steelers .

 

 

Play resumes tonight in Garson at the Lorne Brady Memorial Park when the Cardinals of Pickerel River take on the Hounds of Garson at 7 PM and that will be followed by the nightcap under the lights scheduled for 9 PM when the Whitefish Lake First Nation do battle with the Parry Island Hawks .

 

Have a nice weekend ! Keep fit ! Don't forget this weekend fastball tournament in Sagamok (the third annual) ) The up coming Ontario Summer Games with the under 16 girls fast pitch in Lively and the boys in Azilda  .The 5th Annual Northern Ontario Fastball Championships -The Shamou Shoot Out . There is also fastball this weekend in Elk Lake . The selection of our all-star team for the 6th annual All Star Extravaganza to be played in Sagamok sometime in late August or early September with the North Shore All Stars. There is lots to do and see . Check our league web site at www.nickelfastballplaysoftball.ca -its been up dated (statistics, fastball results , profile section) and 16 new photos coming up this afternoon in the photo gallery .

 

Yours in fastball ,

 

Roger Lergendre    RMMFL   head statistician and public relations liaison/advisor