Trailing 7-4 heading into the top of the seventh inning, the 3 Cheers Pub Bud Light Dodgers scored four runs — three on Ryan Kirk’s home run — to hand the NTV Hitmen an 8-7 loss in the championship game of the 38th annual Molson St. John's Day softball tournament, an International Softball Congress qualifier, Sunday at Lions Park.
Kirk’s blast was one of 31 home runs hit in 10 games held over the weekend. Kirk, with a .375 batting average, four home runs and seven RBI, was named the tournament MVP, and teammate Colin Walsh was the top batter with a .636 average.
Jason Hill (4IP, 2R, 2H, 0BB, 2K) pitched the win in relief of starter Colin Walsh (3IP, 5R, 6H, 0BB, 3K). Lee Cose (2.1IP, 4R, 5H, 1BB, 4K) was tagged with the loss after relieving starter Robbie Greene (4.2IP, 4R, 6H, 1BB, 4K).
Hill had three hits for the winners, including a pair of home runs. Walsh also collected three hits and homered, and Kyle Ezekiel enjoyed a three-hit game as well.
Chris Murphy and Brad Ezekiel both had two hits and solo home runs for NTV, and Fergus Griffiths also went yard.
The Dodgers won three games on Sunday to take the tournament title.
In an 8-1 quarter-final win over The Bigs, Kirk led off the second, third and fifth innings with solo home runs, and in the process tied a St. John's Day tournament record for home runs in a game.
He became the first player in tournament history to hit lead-off home runs in three different innings.
The Dodgers finished the tournament at 4-1, while the Hitmen were 3-1. Kelly's Pub Molson Bulldogs were 2-2, The Bigs 1-3 and Kelly's Pub Junior Canadians were winless in three games.
Members of the Dodgers are Kyle Ezekiel, Eddie Hefferan, Jason Hill, Adam Janes, Ryan Kelly, Ryan Kirk, Ryan Maher, Doug Marshall, Tyler McDonald, Steven Pittman, Logan Power, Colin Walsh and coach Jeff Kirk.
