Micksburg wins Carp Shootout

The Micksburg Twins won the Carp Shootout for the second year in a row, winning five straight and defeating Kingston Axemen 5-2 in the final on Sunday afternoon.

Joran Graham was named the tournament's most valuable player.

East Hants, NS Mastodons won Pool One with a three win no loss record, defeating Ottawa Valley Grains, Napanee U17 and Los Caballos. OVG finished second with two wins and one loss.

Micksburg went undefeated in pool play in Pool Two, defeated Kingston, Quebec U20 and Napanee U20. Kingston finished with two wins and one loss to finish second in Pool Two.

Semi-Final #1 - Micksburg 1 Ottawa Valley 0

The Twins were challenged in the semi-final versus Ottawa Valley Grain, a team of local Greater Ottawa Fastball League players put together for the weekend. Graham earned the win, allowing only two hits and striking out 12. Andy Barber threw very well for OVG, also only allowing two hits and striking out eight. 

Micksburg's only run was a bases loaded leaker over second base which dropped in for Jared Steege's first run batted in of the day. Dylan Cunningham had the other hit for the Twins. Trevor Barton had both of the Grainers safe hits with two infield singles. 

Semi-Final #2 - Kingston 5 East Hants 3

A two-run homer by Kristian Knapp in the top of the seventh was the difference in this game as a three-three tie was broken and the Axemen fended off the Mastodons in the bottom of the seventh with a game ending double play. 

Greg Garrity earned the win in relief of Jordan MacDonald. David Watson took the loss for the Nova Scotia team, who were last year's finalists.

Final - Micksburg 5 Kingston 2

The Twins earned their second straight Carp Shootout championship trophy with a comeback victory over the Axemen. Graham again threw for the Twins and earned the complete game win, allowing six hits, walking two and striking out ten. Garrity went the distance for Kingston, allowing four hits, walking six and striking out six. 

The Axemen got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Kyle Lloyd doubled to start the inning. After a pop up, Walker Lyons hit a two-run homer to put Kingston ahead 2-0.

Micksburg responded right away in the bottom of the third. Andy McIntyre walked to start the inning and was put out when Matt Greer hit into a fielder's choice on an outstanding defensive play by Knapp at second base. Graham reached on an error putting two on. Kingston elected to intentionally walk Dylan Cunningham, who had been mashing the ball all weekend for Micksburg. That brought Jared Steege to the plate and this happened [video courtesy of CarolAnn Hopper]. The grand slam made it 4-2 for the Twins.

Kingston had a chance to put up more runs in the top of the sixth. Knapp single, Garrity singled and Cory Alkerton walked to load the bases with none out. Graham struck the next three batters out to end the threat. 

The Twins added a run in the bottom of the sixth when Graham's RBI single drove in John Enright who had reached on an error and stole second.

Based on his pitching performance (three wins, including 14 innings on Sunday) and weekend at the plate, Graham was named the tournament Most Valuable Player.

Aaron Harvey of the Kingston Axemen accepts the Finalist's payout from Shootout organizer Duane Bromley

Jamey Mick of the Micksburg Twins accepts the Shootout championship trophy from tournament chair Geoff Lathem

Joran Graham of Micksburg accepts the Most Valuable Player plaque from Duane Bromley

Micksburg Twins - 2024 Carp Shootout Champions

Back row: Matt McIntyre, Joran Graham, Steve McCord, Paul Griffith, Dylan Cunningham, Nolan Rook, Jared Steege, Matt Greer, Brad Barker, Noah Fleurie, Quentin Rook

Front row: Jamey Mick, Nic McGrayne, Scott Conroy, John Enright, Andy McIntyre, Dan Enright, Jason McIntyre, Joe Mick