3 Cheers Pub/Murphy's Fish & Chips wins national fast pitch championship

August 31, 2014

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ORIGINAL STORY by Jason Malloy - The Guardian   

    with video

3 Cheers Pub/Murphy's Fish & Chips wins national fast pitch championship

  ++ Fawcetts finish third at fast pitch championship

The three-peat is complete for 3 Cheers Pub.

The St. John’s, N.L., squad defeated city rivals the Kelly’s Pub Bulldogs 8-1 Sunday in Charlottetown in the Canadian senior men’s fast pitch championship game.

“That’s what we came here to do and that’s what we accomplished,” said ace Sean Cleary.

He was named the championship round MVP after allowing one run in winning all three games. He had 33 strikeouts and a 0.41 ERA in 17 innings.

3 Cheers Pub scored in each of the five innings en route to Sunday's victory.

Jeremy O’Reilly’s base hit on a 1-2 count scored Ryan Boland with the winning run.

“I was just trying to hit a line drive there and managed to put one up the middle,” he said. “It was the biggest hit of my career.”

Cleary threw a two-hitter and struck out eight.

Kyle Linton started the game and allowed three runs on two hits in two innings. Robbie Greene allowed three runs on three hits in two innings before Don King allowed two runs on three hits in a third of an inning.

Dan Mitchell hit a fifth-inning home run for the Bulldogs and Andrew Wade had a single.

“We know it takes a lot to make it this far,” first baseman Stephen Jesso said.

“Our team had a great run. . . You just take these kind of memories and cherish them.”

Steve Mullaley had a three-run home run in the third while Ryan Boland and Brad Ezekiel each had solo shots. Boland and Mullaley also singled and scored twice.

Shane Boland doubled and Blair Ezekiel singled.

It was John Kelly’s first trip to nationals with 3 Cheers Pub and his first national championship in his 20-year career.

“It’s pretty special,” said Kelly, who was choked up after receiving his medal.

“It makes my career.”

Cleary, who has been part of all three of the championship, said Kelly is one of the province’s best hitters.

“I’ve played ball with Johnny Kelly a long time, and there’s no one more deserving,” he said.

Sean Whitten pitched many of the early innings in the tournament before Cleary arrived. Cleary said Whitten has been stellar the last three years during their run.

“He’s one of the best and I’d pitch with him any day,” he said.

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The three straight championships gets the team into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame.

 

Linescore

Kelly’s Pub     0  0  0 0  1     –     1  2  3

3 Cheers Pub 1  1  3 1  2     –      8  8  0

 

Canadian senior men's fast pitch champs

2014   3 Cheers Pub (N.L.)

 

2013   3 Cheers Pub (N.L.)

2012   3 Cheers Pub (N.L.)

2011   Kitchener Hallman Twins (Ont.)

2010   Kitchener Rivershark Twins (Ont.)

2009   Kitchener Rivershark Twins (Ont.)

 

2008   Sakatoon Aspen Interiors (Sask.)

2007   Vancouver Grey Sox (B.C.)

2006   St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials (Ont.)

2005   St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials (Ont.)

2004   Saskatoon Black Sox (Sask.)

 

2003   Owen Sound Selects (Ont.)

2002   Owen Sound Selects (Ont.)

2001   Victoria Travellers Inn (B.C.)

2000   Owen Sound Selects (Ont.)

1999   Edmonton Express (Alta.)

 

1998   Halifax Jaguars (N.S.)

1997   Victoria Legends (B.C.)

1996   Toronto Gators (B.C.)

1995   Toronto Gators (B.C.)

1994   Rempel Brothers (Sask.)

 

Nationals hosted on Prince Edward Island

2014 – Charlottetown

2010 – Charlottetown

2001 – Summerside

1992 – West Royalty

1986 – Summerside

 

Canadian senior men’s championship by province since 1965

Ontario – 19

British Columbia – 13

Saskatchewan – 6

Alberta – 6

Newfoundland and Labrador – 3

Nova Scotia – 2

Manitoba – 1