Toledo Jets 5th of 19 at Peewee Eliminations

from Luke Healey

Four consecutive Toledo wins and a fifth place finish could not erase the feeling that the outcome could have been different. The Toledo Peewee Jets completed the 19 team Ontario eliminations with a final record of 4 wins and 2 loses in the double knock out tournament. A Friday opening tournament loss to the host club Stratford meant 7 consecutive wins were required to finish in the top 2 and advance to the Eastern Canadian championships

In route to their 6th game, the Jets eliminated Scarbourgh, Kingston, Pickering and Mitchell. Two of these wins featured no hitters by Toledo pitchers Austin Healey and Kirk Jordan. The Jets generated 36 runs while allowing just 4 during this Saturday streak.

The six and final game for Toledo was a tough 5-4 loss to Mildmay that ended in the 9th inning. Battling back from 4-1 deficit to tie the game and push it into extra innings things seemed to be going Toledo’s way once again. This after an illegal pitch call with a runner at third had allowed the Mildmay to open a 2-0 lead after the first inning. This call and an extra inning foul ball off the back stop screen and caught by the Mildmay catcher for an easy out left both coaches Robertson and Healey visibly frustrated. Mildmay went on to beat Springbrook and Stratford to claim the second place and a trip east. Napanee claimed top prize going undefeated in the tournament.

The Toledo Jets competed well in all 6 games, but could not get key hits at the most critical time. The four wins were a huge step forward after being eliminated in 2007 after two games.

The Jets will complete their four tournaments in 4 weekends on Saturday traveling to Kingston.