The Roebothan, McKay, Marshall Republic claimed the 2018 Molson St. John’s intermediate fastpitch championship by downing the Conception Bay Central Junior Canadians 6-3 at Lions Park Monday night.
The Republic took the best-of-five final in three straight games.
Veteran Ward Gosse, the 50-year-old who was named top pitcher and MVP of the playoffs, scattered three hits, allowed four walks and struck out 10 in a complete-game performance in the title-clinching game.
Gosse went 8-2 in the playoffs, appearing in every gamne while posting a 0.85 earned-run average and striking out 120 batters in 66 innings of work.
The eight wins and 120 Ks were league playoff records, as were his four shutouts.
C.B.C.’s Peter Kavanagh (.417) was the playoffs’ top batter.
Monday’s game was tied 3-3 before the Republic scored three times in the top of the seventh inning off losing pitcher Eric Healey
Andrew Temple (3H, W) and Trevor Heffernan (2H, W, HBP) each reached base four times for the winners, with Leon Cantwell contributing a couple of RBIs.
D. J. Lake drove in two runs for the Junior Canadians.
Monday’s result gives the league a new champion for the first time since 2013. The four-time champion Lafontaine Club was defeated by the Republic in the semifinal round.
Members the 2018 champions include Leon Cantwell, Phillip Corbett, Andrew Corcoran, Mike Crowe, Corey Drake, Ward Gosse, Trevor Hefferan, Andrew McCarthy, Blair Myers, Stephen Oates, Matt Power, Dawson Sieben, Andrew Temple and Brad Tuttle.
Republic of Gosse: Veteran hurler leads his team to St. John's intermediate fastpitch crown
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