Fourth-seeded Predators stun top teams to capture U9 softball title

Members of the team include, in no particular order, Gus Cairns, Bryan Carr, Colby Darville, Teddy Granby, Jase Heinrichs, Oliver Lehmann, Nolan Maertens, Isaiah O’Connor, Emmett Paleczny, Axel Raslack, Linus Sanger, Rowan Velez and Easton Zatulsky. Coaches include Nathan O’Connor, James Cairns, Ryan Darville, Amanda O’Connor and Tanya Heinrichs (scorekeeper). 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The Paris Predators U9 Team 2 proved that playoff seedings don't always tell the whole story.

After finishing the regular season with a 5-6-1 record, the fourth-seeded Predators put together an impressive championship run at the South Oxford Softball League B Division year-end tournament in Princeton on July 17-18, knocking off the tournament's top three seeds to claim the title.

The championship capped a season of steady growth for a young team that embraced every challenge.

"Along with all players and coaches in The Paris Minor Softball Association, the goal is to help players improve their skills while understanding how to play the game properly in a positive and supportive atmosphere," said head coach Nathan O'Connor.

"Softball is a game riddled with failure which is why its successes are so well celebrated and cheered by the family and friends in attendance. Each failure provides immediate reflection of improvement."

The Predators showed flashes of their potential throughout the regular season. One of the biggest moments came at Lions Park when Paris rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the final inning against the Princeton-Drumbo-Plattsville Lightning. The team put together a good rally to overcome a four run deficit going into the last inning. Only down by one, with two outs, and the winning run on second base and down to the game's final strike, Gus Cairns lined a walk-off double to secure a dramatic 6-5 victory. Later in the season, Colby Darville delivered another walk-off moment, driving in the winning run with a single in a 4-3 victory over Burford.

Those late-game heroics carried into the playoffs. Paris opened the tournament with a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded Burgessville. Nolan Maertens highlighted the offence with an RBI double, while Teddy Grandby and Linus Sanger each added RBI singles.

The Predators followed that with their biggest upset of the tournament, edging top-seeded Innerkip 6-5 behind RBI doubles from Emmett Paleczny, Rowan Velez and Oliver Lehman.

Their confidence continued to build in the semifinals against second-seeded Embro. Paris erupted for 15 hits in a 9-5 victory, with Jase Heinrichs leading the offence by going 2-for-2 with an RBI double.

The win earned the Predators a rematch with Embro in the championship game.

Paris found itself trailing 5-4 after the opening inning but responded with a dominant defensive performance, holding Embro scoreless the rest of the way while pulling away for an 8-5 championship victory.

At the top of the lineup, Easton Zaltusky, Brian Carr, Gus Cairns and Isaiah O'Connor combined to go a perfect 8-for-8 at the plate with three doubles, providing the offensive spark throughout the final.

Carr also shouldered the pitching duties throughout the tournament, throwing eight innings while working closely with catcher Zaltusky.

O'Connor praised the pair's communication behind the plate, noting their effective mound visits, constant encouragement and strong defensive leadership. Sanger also provided solid work behind the plate during the tournament.

Although unable to play in the year-end tournament, Axel Raslack remained an important member of the team during his first season of softball.

Reflecting on the season, O'Connor described the group in a single word.

"To sum up the team in one word is really tough, they were: Tenacious."

He also credited the players for creating an environment that made coaching especially rewarding.

"With this group I learned to appreciate our opponents for the game, the umpires that make the tough calls, the community that develops around supporting the team and most importantly, the differing personalities that shine through each player in their softball-filled childhood."

Assistant coach James Cairns said the championship was the result of months of dedication.

"The boys worked hard all season, made great improvements, and supported each other through thick and thin."

He also praised O'Connor's leadership throughout the season.

"Nathan brings a unique combination of intelligence, skill, teaching-ability, sportsmanship, positivity and fun to the coaching role. We are so lucky to have a leader like him helping our boys develop their softball abilities and sportsmanship. A great day for Paris sports!"

O'Connor also recognized Nathan Smith, Mark Robinson and the Paris Youth Softball Association executive for the countless hours they dedicate behind the scenes to ensure local children have the opportunity to play the sport.