The only complaint West Side Charlies/Bud Light coach John Hill can muster so far at the Canadian senior men’s fastpitch championship is that his team hasn’t had the opportunity to play any “small ball.”
West Side, the Newfoundland and Labrador representative at the national tourney in Owen Sound, Ont., scored four runs in the first inning on their way to an 8-0 win over host Owen Sound Selects Wednesday to earn a double life in the tournament before beating Vancouver Giants 5-0 in the late game to clinch first place the standings with a 6-0 record.
Newfoundland finishes up the regular schedule 1:30 p.m. (NL time) today with a game against Fredericton, N.B., Twins.
The playoffs open Friday.
“We’ve been practising our sac bunts and things like that every day, but we haven’t had the opportunity to do it in the games because of the scores,” said Hill.
“We pretty much scored early runs in every game. That helps the pitchers but it’s a different kind of game. When you are up 5-0 or 6-0 you can’t be bunting on teams.
“However, he know that’s not going to be the case on the weekend and that we’ll be scratching and clawing for every run.”
Hill said he’s surprised the team has won so easily during the regular schedule.
West Side Charlies has outscored the opposition 51-6 over its first six games.
What has especially pleased Hill is that everyone in the lineup has been hitting the ball.
Sean Cleary tossed the win over Vancouver on a two-hitter with 15 strikeouts.
Brad Ezekiel and Steve Mullaley homered giving West Side Charlies 17 in the tournament so far.
Sean Whitten recorded his third win of the tournament, going seven inning and tossing a one-hitter while fanning nine batters in the win over Owen Sound.
Ryan Boland capped off the first inning with a two-run home run. Jason Hill had two hits and three RBIs in the victory.
Geoff Evely also had a pair of for the winners.
jbrowne@thetelegram.com
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