Aug 11, 2013 | ryoung | 1983 views
2013 WOBA silver medalists
For three days in August Goderich Grey Seahawks were involved in their WOBA Championship. The weekend was filled with ups and downs from beginning to end, great plays defensively and timely hitting. The team was by far one of the loudest teams at the tournament and showed the most passion and heart of all the teams, even causing one team to complain about how loud they were cheering. This passion showed as they battled game by game right to the championship where they met a strong Mitchell team. Every game had excitement, with three of their games decided by one run, one decided by two and the other by four...
Friday night it all began against a very strong Lucan Boys team who was 13-1 in the regular season and on top of the league standings. Goderich came into this game as large underdogs, however they knew they could win the game with some hard work. Hard work is exactly what they gave the score after each inning was 4-0 Goderich, 11-7 Goderich, 17-14 Goderich, 21-19 Goderich and 21-20 Goderich. Goderich was able to hold onto a two run last inning lead and win the extremely exciting game that had the crowd on the edge of their seats 21-20.
Winning the Friday game placed them in a match-up Saturday morning with the second best team in the season, Exeter, who also had a very strong regular season. This was another very intense and close game from start to finish with Goderich finding themselves down early and in need to battle back. The score early in the games innings was 3-3, 9-4 Exeter, 11-7 Exeter, 13-10 Exeter, then Exeter added two more in the top of the final inning to give them a 15-10 lead with Goderich coming up. With their backs to the wall Goderich knew what they had to do and responded in fashion by bringing across the six needed runs for the win with only one out in the inning and that being a play at home. Minor Rookie call-up Zach was able to drive in the bases loaded winning run to give Goderich the 16-15 win and the fans yet another nail biting game.
The two wins placed Goderich in the undefeated game where they met Mitchell. This game was a well played game by a very tired and beaten down Goderich team who had the unfortunate task of sitting in the hot sun and waiting for four hours before playing their game. After each inning the score was 5-1 Goderich, 5-4 Goderich, 9-7 Mitchell, 16-14 Mitchell, 23-19 Mitchell. In the end Goderich walked away with the 23-19 loss in another very close game.
Goderich headed into Sunday morning to the semi-finals with Lucan Boys, Exeter, Mitchell and Goderich the remaining teams. Goderich had been the only team left who had played all three teams left which forced a draw to see who faced off. Goderich drew another match-up with Exeter Sunday morning for the semi-final. This game of course was just as exciting as the others before it with the scores by inning reading 6-1 Goderich, 7-2 Goderich, 9-8 Exeter, 11-9 Goderich, 11-9 Goderich, 11-9 Goderich. As you can see, Goderich was able to hold Exeter scoreless for the final three innings and with home advantage did not need their last at bat in the sixth and final inning. The game changing moment for Goderich offensively came in the fourth inning when Eric V hit a three run homerun with Goderich trailing 9-8 to give them an 11-9 lead that would turn out to be the final. Defensively Goderich had numerous key plays including an inning where Exeter had bases loaded with zero out and were shut down. There were three double plays made by the middle infield in this game as well.
Winning the semi-final game placed Goderich in the final versus the same Mitchell team they had played on Saturday. Goderich was not able to win home field advantage and that would prove to play a pivotal role in the game as the innings read 1-1, 3-2 Mitchell, 9-7 Goderich, 12-10 Goderich, and 15-13 Mitchell heading into the sixth and final inning. With Goderich as the visiting team and down two runs, they were able to claw their way back and push three runs across the plate to take a 16-15 lead into the home half of the inning. Mitchell made it another exciting finish to the game by loading the bases and pushing across the tying run. With the game tied and bases loaded Mitchell hit a ball between the pitcher, first baseman and second baseman that appeared that no one would get to, the Goderich pitcher made a valiant effort though but was unable to come up with the throw to home and Mitchell was able to win the game with a walk-off infield single and a 17-16 Championship win.
Goderich Seahawks showed tremendous heart throughout the entire weekend and each and every parent, sibling, cousin, friend and fan who was lucky enough to be a part of this weekend is extremely proud of all of the players on this Goderich Grey Seahawks team. Not once did anyone on the team hang their head down or lose the smile on their face, they showed everyone what true sportsmanship, pride and pure passion is all about. The entire town of Goderich should be aware of the accomplishment this team did and should be proud to say this team is from Goderich and will represent our town for many years to come. What a great way to end a perfect season Seahawks. Be proud!
GO SEAHAWKS 2013!!