Hawks See Bronze at Westerns

bats cooled off

The 2006 BC Championship Cloverdale Hawks Boys Rep A Fastpitch team has captured the Bronze Medal for BC at the Western Canadian Fastpitch Championships held Aug 5-9, 2006 in Port Alberni, BC.

The Hawks bats were not blazing like they were at the Provincial Championship held earlier in July, however contributing to the capture of  the Bronze was unbeatable defense at shortstop by Gambicourt and the only two over the fence homeruns during the weekend for the Hawks were belted out by Soldan. Awarding both Gambicourt and Soldan each two of the eight MVP’s given during the Western’s weekend.

Other MVP winners for the Hawks were Peck, Staller, Calder, & Martyniuk.  Our four pitcher’s Peck, Martyniuk, Soldan and Thompson helped the Hawks claim victory; especially Peck who pitched a 2-0 shut out in six innings against the Silver Medal winning Alberta Bombers.

The Bomber’s tied the game in the 7th inning, however Martyniuk’s pitching managed to close the door in extra innings in the bottom of the 9th with a 5-2 victory. Berger with his lightening quick speed hit an in the park home run and Thompson racked up the highest batting average and on base percentage for the Hawks during the tournament.

The weekend was rounded off with outstanding catching behind the plate by Staller allowing no freebies and by Walker at second base creating double plays. Great base running and sliding abilities by Berger and Miller, compounded with magical outfielders Thorneycroft, Miller, Cook , Calder & McKay who dominated and managed to catch everything hit at them. Our remaining outfielder Sanders who was with the Hawks in spirit could not attend the Western’s as he was in China on a school field trip.

The coaching staff of Mike Soldan, Don Thompson, Doug Gambicourt and Gord Walker are extremely proud of these fourteen boys and would like to mention that they were the only team at the Western's to go with their original roster, no pickups and no boys cut. The Hawks and their coaches have always had the attitude that the heart of this team and the ability of the boys that got us here are the ones that we will stick with. The Hawks are intent upon staying together and hope that they will once again shine in two year's in the Midget Boy's Fast Pitch National Championship’s.