Kincardine U9 Cardinals play hard, but eliminated in OBA semi-finals

After a successful late-season run that saw the team going head-to-head with some of Ontario’s best, the Kincardine Under-9 (U9) Cardinals were ousted in the All-Ontario semi-finals this past weekend in Dresden.

Riding the wave from the WOBA tournament two weeks prior, the Cardinals entered the OBA championship tournament with a newfound confidence. Bolstered by strong team defence, timely at-bats, and speed on the base paths, the team defeated Listowel, 12-4 Thursday morning.

A defensive gem in both the infield and outfield resulted in the Cardinals beating a hard-hitting Amherstburg team, 11-3, Friday morning.

A tough schedule draw saw the Cardinals face the eventual winner, the Saugeen Shores Sting, Friday afternoon. The Sting had Kincardine’s number this season and continued the trend by defeating the Cardinals, 12-4.

In a do-or-die game Saturday morning, the Cardinals washed off the previous game’s disappointment and showed their team’s heart and mental toughness. Kincardine strung together its best total team effort of the season, overpowering a strong Pelham Panthers squad, by a score of 11-4. This set the table for a match-up against the Delhi Tigers in the All-Ontario semi-finals.

After a strong start by Kincardine, the Tigers proved their worth as they clawed back, and ultimately out-lasted the Cardinals, with a final score of 9-6. Saugeen Shores later defeated Delhi in the finals, making Kincardine’s two losses in this double-elimination tournament, ultimately, against the eventual champion, and runner-up.

Notables from this tournament were abundant. A middle infield of Wyatt Laschuk and Chase Maxwell rivaled the best in the tournament. Fenix Prentice-Hamilton, Maclean Wright and Caden Lobb provided strong defence and a consistent offensive spark. Lewis Mciver was a vacuum in the pitcher’s helper position.

Offensively, the Cardinals were led by Jax Catto who led the team with nine RBIs over the weekend, and Royce Keating who led the team with five doubles. Charlie Bruijns and Beckett Stewart came up clutch at the plate multiple times when the team needed it most. Brett Lowry was a rock on defence and brought the crowd to its feet with an electric diving catch.

Congratulations to the graduating second- year players, and good luck in U11.



The Kincardine U9 Cardinals include, in the back, Brock Lowry (left), Paul Stewart, Royce Keating, Caden Lobb, Fenix Prentice-Hamilton, Jax Catto, Brett Lowry, Maclean Wright, Josh Catto, Dennis Laschuk; and in front, Charlie Bruijns (left), Lewis Mciver, Wyatt Laschuk, Chase Maxwell and Beckett Stewart