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ORIGINAL STORY with pictures by Mike Dodd, Midland Mirror
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NORTH SIMCOE – Boasting an impressive Simcoe Rural Fastball League (SRFL) record, and bolstered by a couple of import players, the Wyevale Tribe plan to go deep Aug. 8-16.
Coached and managed by Michael Kelly, the Tribe will be doing battle at the International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournament in Kitchener.
“We finished seventh at a tournament in Mitchell, Ont., in June,†Kelly said. “It was enough to get us into the ISC final in Kitchener.â€
Heading into July 31 action, Wyevale sat tied for second in the Division 1 standings of the SRFL with a 13-4-1 record.
This marks the seventh time Wyevale has participated in the ISC event, which until recently was divided into two different tournaments (ISC No. 1 and ISC No. 2).
“Six years ago, we were just going to the ISC No. 2 tournament, but, during the past three years, we have been going to the combined tournament,†said Kelly.
In the combined tournament, Wyevale’s best finish is 22nd overall. In the ISC No. 2 tournament, the Tribe once placed second overall.
This year, the tournament in Kitchener will host 48 teams from Canada and the United States, with Wyevale facing the western Canada-based West Bank Cardinals in their opening game Aug. 9.
Kelly said he likes his team’s chances heading to Kitchener.
“We’re playing pretty good ball of late, but, having said that, you never know what you’re getting into in these tournaments until you play your first game,†he said. “Our goal is always to finish in the top 24.â€
Kelly said he has strong pitching in Jason Giffen and Mark Lambie. The Tribe have beefed up the mound crew with the additions of Teagan Waite (Smithville) and Steve McNaughton (Peterborough).
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