Best in class: 15U Nationals crowned SMBA champions in memorable weekend

The Stratford 15U Nationals displayed their SMBA 15U Tournament trophy following their tournament-clinching win at Stratford National Stadium on July 19. Team roster: Blake Mogk, Marek Brander, Carter Cook, Cole Morris, Dexter Powell, Jake Price, Jackson Goebel, James Antonio, Landen McCann, Will Molenhuis, Max Barter, Quintin Parr and Reid Musselman. Coaches: Corey Goebel, Jamie Antonio, Mark Price, Rob Mogk and Rick Boon.

By: Michael Willoughby

The Stratford 15U Nationals endured the lingering smog and humidity to put on a clinical display, going 5-0 and winning the SMBA 15U Tournament at Stratford National Stadium last weekend.

The Nationals' tournament debut was against the North York Blues on July 17. North York started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning with only one out. A crucial defensive play by the Nationals then turned the tide, preventing the Blues from increasing their lead and shifting the momentum of the game, and, for the sake of foresight, their tournament aspirations.

In the following inning, the Nationals’ offence surged with 10 runs. Carter Cook started the scoring with an RBI single. Then, with bases loaded, Blake Mogk drew a walk, reducing the gap to 4-2. James Antonio scored on a wild pitch, and Will Molenhuis' groundout with one out brought Cook home, tying the game.

Jackson Goebel’s and Jake Price’s RBIs gave the Nationals a 6-4 lead, then Dexter Powell hit a three-run triple and Antonio added an RBI single, extending the Nationals' advantage to 10-4 within just an inning and a half.

Stratford extended their lead by scoring seven additional runs over the next three innings before the game was called due to the mercy rule after five innings, resulting in a 17-7 victory for the Nationals. The top of the batting order – Molenhuis, Goebel and Price – contributed significantly, combining for six RBIs and four runs on seven hits.

After the opener, Stratford coach Rick Boon highlighted the importance of cleaner field play to minimize defensive mistakes, as the team had made three or four errors during the game. The focus for the upcoming match was to play without errors in order to strengthen their defence against runs.

“It was about hitting good pitches, hitting pitches that they could hit, swinging at pitches that they could hit for base hits. Early in that first inning, we swung at pitches that we just mopped up and grounded out. We didn't swing at good pitches, and after that, we just focused on hitting fastballs that they could, you know, put into play somewhere. And we did a really good job. We were on time for everything we hit after that,” Boon said.

“We need to play cleaner in the field. They scored seven runs, but we still committed three or four errors. We have to play cleaner in the field to cut back on those runs because when it comes down to the plus-minus, it's all about defensive runs against. So we have to be cleaner in the field.”

Stratford continued their relentless offensive pursuit the next morning on July 18 against the Martingrove White Sox. The visitors scored first in the opening inning, but the Nationals poured on with 10 unanswered runs in their bottom half to go ahead 10-1 after the first inning.

The White Sox added a run back in their top half of the second, but the Nationals added four more in the second and third to put the game within range of the mercy rule. Martingrove added three more runs in the fourth to close the Stratford lead to nine, but runs scored by McCann and Mogk put the home side up by eleven heading into the fifth inning.

Mogk would then put together a clean fifth inning to seal the 16-5 win for the Nationals, putting their record to 2-0 heading into their evening matchup with the Oshawa Legionaires.

Stratford sought a spot in the semifinals with their evening game against Oshawa, delivering their top offensive performance of the season. Led by Powell’s two home runs and five RBIs, the Nationals demonstrated a strong offence, scoring 21 runs in the second inning. They also capitalized on six defensive errors by the Legionaires, resulting in a dominant 25-0 win and securing their place in the semifinals.

Following the Oshawa game, Boon discussed the team’s performance with the Times, emphasizing that they managed both the game and its outcome with proper etiquette.

“I think our players went to the plate with a plan and they hit good pitches, and they played with a lot of class today. Even though the score was 25-nothing, we didn't run the score up,” Boon said.

“We just hit the ball when it was pitched, and we didn't do anything to make them feel like they were inferior to us. We just tried to play the game right, and we showed a lot of class when we did it.”

In the morning of the final day of the tournament, the Nationals faced the Kitchener Panthers in the semifinals, with the Panthers giving the Nationals their toughest test.

Stratford took an early 4-0 lead through the first three innings, but the Panthers rallied with one in the fourth and two in the fifth to close the Nationals’ lead to 4-3. Runs by Powell and Morris in the bottom of the sixth gave the Nationals insurance and a three-run lead heading into the final inning of play.

After allowing a walk to start the inning, Cook and the Nationals' defence shut the door by retiring the Panthers’ side in order and punched their ticket to the tournament final in the early afternoon.

Stratford’s starting pitcher, Landen McCann, pitched three and two-thirds gutsy innings with four strikeouts and allowed two hits and issued five walks on 75 pitches. Reliever Cook weathered the storm and closed out the game with five strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on three walks and three hits.

In the tournament final, the Nationals poured on their offensive masterclass once more in a rematch from their tournament opener, the North York Blues. Led by Powell’s two-run home run and a strong pitching performance from Cole Morris and Reid Musselman, the Nationals won the SMBA Tournament in an emphatic 15-3 win.

With his three home runs, 11 RBIs and a .643 batting average, Powell earned tournament MVP honours.

Following the tournament victory, Boon thanks the team for their support and acknowledges their dedication to the game's core principles.

“It's pretty special. It's pretty special for these guys, especially with so many grandparents, parents and family members here to see it. It's really special to win at your home park and the way we did – we played the game right. We did all the little things right, and we respected the quality of the ball game,” Boon said.