Two games were played Monday night in Azilda at the Rick McDonald Memorial Park . In the opener the Garson Hounds handed the Sudbury North Stars only their third loss of the season as  they defeated them by the score of 5-2 . Gary Lamothe ( 6-5) still not completely healed from a work accident last week , went the distance for his 6th victory of the season , giving up but two runs ( both earned) on just 4 hits while striking out a season high 9 batters and issuing only one base on balls . His opponent , John Ainslie (11-3 ) also pitched the whole game in suffering only his third mound loss of 2010 in giving up 5 runs ( 4 earned ) on 7 base hits while striking out 7 batters and issuing but one base on balls . Corey Farmer of the Hounds led all batters with a 2 for 3 ( home run , 2 runs scored , RBI ) performance at bat with teammate Todd Parson  , 2 for 3 (double , run scored ) also hitting well .  Moe Coutu hit 2 for 3 in a losing cause for the North Stars .

                                                 In the nightcap , the Pickerel River Cardinals came from behind to edge the Parry Island Hawks 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh frame .  Jonathan Contin ( 5-6 ) picked up his 5th victory of the present campaign in giving up 6 runs ( all earned ) on  10 base hits while fanning 8 batters and issuing 2 base on balls . For his part Percy Tobobundung (0-3) also went the distance in suffering his 3rd loss of the season in giving up 7 runs ( 6 earned ) on 7 base hits while striking out 9 batters ( a season high) and issuing 2 base on balls . Jonathan Contin helped his own cause by going 2 for 4  ( 2 doubles , 2 runs scored ) in his plate appearance . Walter Sr Tobobundung hit 3 for 4  ( 2 runs scored ) in a losing cause for the Hawks .

                                                  Play will resume on Wednesday night in Whitefish Lake when the Pickerel River Cardinals take on the host Whitefish Lake First Nation Steelers at 7 PM followed by the nightcap at 9 PM when the Parry Island Hawks face the first place Sudbury North Stars .

                                                  Contrary to some popular belief which was announced earlier in the year around April , the Northern Ontario Fastball Championship - the Shamou Shoot Out ( 5th annual)  is not on the weekend of August the 13th to 15th but rather on the weekend of August the 20th to 22nd . (see attached flyer) . See also attached the flyer for the second annual Parry Island Fastball tournament  (September 10th to the 12th )

                                                  Attached you will also find the following two captioned photos : 1. Sudbury North Stars (this year's first place finishers -Commissioner's Cup ) and one from the 1st game on Monday night between the Hounds and the North Stars (Eric Ace of Hounds at the plate ; John Ainslie of the North Stars pitching) .

                                                  This year's 5th annual All Star Extravaganza ( North Shore VS Rick McDonald ) is set for Saturday September the 18th in Sagamok .

 

Yours in fastball ,

 

             Roger Legendre

                                              Head statistician and public relations liaison/advisor for the Rick McDonald Memorial Fastball League as well as the co-convener for the two up coming fastball tournaments mentioned above

 

Keep fit ! See you on the fastball diamonds !