NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA 16U ROYALS
********************
The Orillia 16U Rep Royals competed in the Innisfil Open Tournament this weekend and captured the title with a record of four wins and one loss.
The Royals started the tournament on Friday beating the host Innisfil team 6-4. Wyatt Thompson had a great start, taming the Innisfil bats for six innings. Lucas Mackay came on to pitch with runners at second and third and got two timely strikeouts to record the save.
Aydan Hall and Whyatt Winkel led the offence both going 3 for 4 at the plate.
In game 2 Saturday, Orillia toppled Aurora 6-3 to secure a spot in Sunday's semi final. Whyatt Winkel earned the win on the mound and Teddy Mccolum Kuntz came on to stymie the Aurora offence for the save. Tigh Gallagher and Markham Gogarity both had strong defensive games while Owen Buckland led offense going 3 for 3.
Game 3 was a spirited affair seeing a few ejections take place. In the end, Scarborough topped Orillia 5-4. Jacob Boyle and Jhett Winkel were the lone bright spots both going 2 for 3 at the plate.
The two wins and one loss qualified the Royals for a semi final rematch with Innisfil. Orillia had a masterful pitching performance turned in by Kobe Geofroy, pitching six shutout innings. Lucas Mackey and Jhett Winkel scored and drove in one run each in the 3-0 victory.
The championship game was now set against Stratford on Sunday afternoon. Orillia jumped to an early lead where Buckland doubled home Whyatt Winkel and Mccolum Kuntz to take the lead. It is a lead that Orillia would never relinquish.
Briar Decaire was the offensive leader, reaching base four times while Mccolum Kuntz pitched six solid innings for the win.
The tournament win now moves the Royals to 9 and 1 on the season. Next home action for the team is July 6 at Carmichael Park; they host Innisfil at 10 a.m.
********************
