Vasey Countrymen Take SRFL Crown
August 24, 2011
Vasey Countrymen Take SRFL Crown
The Vasey Tom Smith Countrymen captured the 2011 Simcoe Rural Fastball League Playoff Title with a 3-0 series sweep of Minesing in three tightly contested affairs. Brad Robinson picked up all three wins for the Countrymen, defeating Graham McNabb in Game 1 and Kurt Glover in Games 2 and 3.
Game 3 Summary – Monday August 24th
Picturesque Vasey Park was the site of Game 3 of the Simcoe Rural Fastball League finals as well over 100 fastball fans settled into their seat to watch the Vasey Tom Smith Countrymen take the field against long-time rivals, Minesing.
The Minesing offence struck first with pair of runs in the top half of the first on two Vasey errors and singles by Jamie Grant and Pat Townes.
The Countrymen offence responded with 4 runs of their own on bottom half of the frame. Todd Weatherell lead off the inning with a first pitch single though the right-side, a walk to Steve Eakley and a passed ball set the stage for Brad Robinson as he cashed Weatherell on a fielders choice. Jason Phillips then doubled home Eakley to knot the game at 2. With 2 outs and Phillips on second, Jamie Robinson gave the Countrymen the lead with a 2-run homer to right field.
A pitchers battle ensued for the next three innings as Glover and Robinson each recorded multiple strike-outs and were backed by stellar defense, with spectacular plays coming from Minesing 2nd baseman Pat Towns and Vasey shortstop Steffan Walma.
The Countrymen increased their lead to 5-2 in the bottom half of the 5th when lead-off man Weatherell hit a solo-blast to deep centrefield. In the 6th Brad Robinson lead off the inning with a double to centrefield and he was cashed by a Jason Phillips double to the gap in right centre.
With the side retired in order in the 7th, the pitching line for the evening was Brad Robinson with the win, allowing 3 hits with 8 strikeouts. Kurt Glover took the loss allowing 9 hits while striking out 11.
In local Minor Ball action, the Vasey Bantam squad, and ace pitcher Joey Balkwill captured the Georgian Bay Minor Softball Crown with a victory over Coldwater on Monday evening. Joey on also lead his team to an OASA Bantam Select Championship this past weekend.
In Midget action, the Georgian Bay Minor Softball Championship Series began on Tuesday evening. The Vasey - Vasey final represents the first “tractor-series” in over 20 years as the two Vasey squads vie for supremacy in the 8-team Midget loop.
