Ottawa Valley Raiders win 4th RA League title in a row
OTTAWA—Valley Raiders defeated the Quyon Junior Flyers 4-3 in Game 3 in the best-of-three series last night, winning the 2006 RA Centre fastball championship. Valley has now won four consecutive titles.
FEATHERSTONE GOES DISTANCE
Darren Featherstone got his third-straight start for Valley. He pitched seven complete innings, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. He racked up an impressive 11 strikeouts. Quyon scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and one run in the bottom of the seventh. Quyon threatened at various points throughout the game, but Featherstone persevered.
Valley pitcher Ryan Cox, who was undefeated in the first two rounds of the playoffs, was prepared to throw in relief of Featherstone. But by the sixth or seventh inning it was clear that Featherstone would go the distance. Valley’s elder statesman Gary Cavanagh explained the situation.
“With a one run lead [Featherstone] allowed two runners in the seventh. But at that point we weren’t going to pull him. It was his game to win or lose.”
VALLEY SCRAPES FOR RUNS
Valley’s first two runs came in the second inning Valley second baseman Dave Millette reached base on a walk. Quyon’s first baseman Kenny Fleck then made a great diving catch on a popped-up sacrifice bunt attempt by Tyler Cox. Featherstone then picked up the slack for Valley by hitting a two-run homerun to centerfield off of Quyon’s Matt Greer.
Valley added one run in the fourth inning when Greer surrendered a walk to Valley right fielder Lukas Kamps. Valley’s left fielder Stéphane Vinette then put down a sacrifice bunt. On the play, a heads-up Kamps advanced to an unoccupied third base. Quyon then rushed a throw that evaded Quyon’s third baseman who was scrambling back to the bag. Kamps was able to score on the play.
Valley’s fourth run came in the in the fifth inning when Rich Antunes doubled down the leftfield line. A Greer pitch then struck Chad Milne. Antunes then came around to score on an RBI single by Kamps.
Greer took the loss for Quyon, despite pitching a very strong game and series. On Wednesday he gave up 8 hits, walked 3, and hit one batter. He struck out four Valley batters. Valley’s attack was well balanced as all but one Valley Raider had a hit.
POST-GAME FESTIVITIES
After losing all regular season games to Quyon, Valley was ecstatic to beat Quyon in the finals. Valley gathered for a championship photo behind home plate. One anonymous Valley veteran described the experience.
“Winning is a lot like sex. It’s great and you never want it to end.”
After the game, both Quyon and Valley enjoyed cold beers on the patio of the SunDeck bar. Valley owner Shawn Moher proposed a toast to recognize Quyon’s great season.
“Let’s hear it for the Quyon boys. They had a hell of a season.”
Well said, Shawn.
Valley is travelling to North Fredericksburg this weekend to compete in the OASA B/C men’s provincials.
FEATHERSTONE GOES DISTANCE
Darren Featherstone got his third-straight start for Valley. He pitched seven complete innings, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. He racked up an impressive 11 strikeouts. Quyon scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and one run in the bottom of the seventh. Quyon threatened at various points throughout the game, but Featherstone persevered.
Valley pitcher Ryan Cox, who was undefeated in the first two rounds of the playoffs, was prepared to throw in relief of Featherstone. But by the sixth or seventh inning it was clear that Featherstone would go the distance. Valley’s elder statesman Gary Cavanagh explained the situation.
“With a one run lead [Featherstone] allowed two runners in the seventh. But at that point we weren’t going to pull him. It was his game to win or lose.”
VALLEY SCRAPES FOR RUNS
Valley’s first two runs came in the second inning Valley second baseman Dave Millette reached base on a walk. Quyon’s first baseman Kenny Fleck then made a great diving catch on a popped-up sacrifice bunt attempt by Tyler Cox. Featherstone then picked up the slack for Valley by hitting a two-run homerun to centerfield off of Quyon’s Matt Greer.
Valley added one run in the fourth inning when Greer surrendered a walk to Valley right fielder Lukas Kamps. Valley’s left fielder Stéphane Vinette then put down a sacrifice bunt. On the play, a heads-up Kamps advanced to an unoccupied third base. Quyon then rushed a throw that evaded Quyon’s third baseman who was scrambling back to the bag. Kamps was able to score on the play.
Valley’s fourth run came in the in the fifth inning when Rich Antunes doubled down the leftfield line. A Greer pitch then struck Chad Milne. Antunes then came around to score on an RBI single by Kamps.
Greer took the loss for Quyon, despite pitching a very strong game and series. On Wednesday he gave up 8 hits, walked 3, and hit one batter. He struck out four Valley batters. Valley’s attack was well balanced as all but one Valley Raider had a hit.
POST-GAME FESTIVITIES
After losing all regular season games to Quyon, Valley was ecstatic to beat Quyon in the finals. Valley gathered for a championship photo behind home plate. One anonymous Valley veteran described the experience.
“Winning is a lot like sex. It’s great and you never want it to end.”
After the game, both Quyon and Valley enjoyed cold beers on the patio of the SunDeck bar. Valley owner Shawn Moher proposed a toast to recognize Quyon’s great season.
“Let’s hear it for the Quyon boys. They had a hell of a season.”
Well said, Shawn.
Valley is travelling to North Fredericksburg this weekend to compete in the OASA B/C men’s provincials.
posted by fitzroyfastball | 8/31/2006 11:14:00 am
1 Comments:
will both these teams be joining the GOFL next year?
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