Gemini baseball team finishes fourth at OFSSA regionals

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Gemini baseball team finished fifth at the recent OFSAA West Regional playdowns.

The Gemini started the tournament in Windsor on June 4 with a convincing 7-1 win against West Niagara. They then came up against defending champions and first seeded Bishop Allen Academy from Etobicoke, and lost 18-7.

“We thought we would get everyone in and give our starters a rest,” said coach Derek Partlo. “We saved our pitching for the rest of the tournament. There are pitch counts.”

In the third game, the team faced fourth-seeded York Mills 12-1. With rain that night, Thursday’s games were cancelled and the Gemini had to drive back to Windsor Friday for a game against Upper Canada College. In the top of the fourth inning, with the Gemini trailing 1-0, city staff kicked both teams off the diamonds, saying they could cause damage.

“They cancelled the game but the sun is coming out,” Partlo said.

The tournament continued on June 10 in London, and for the Gemini this meant the continuation of the game against Upper Canada College. The Gemini ended up losing 2-0 to Upper Canada College, which is a private sports academy. With the double knock-out format of the tournament, the second loss meant the Gemini were done.

Partlo said the tournament was a positive experience, with the Gemini finishing with a 2-2 record against big city schools. He added they were seeded ninth, or last place, and finished fifth. He said the game delay was tough on the players as well.

“We faced kids going on to Division 1 schools in the States and on the national team,” he said. “The level of ball was elite and the boys hung in there with every team.

“It was a great experience for the boys to play that high level ball. They showed a lot of teams they can hang in there with the best in the province. I’m proud of the boys.”

Next year will see the Gemini baseball team losing four or five players, but a portion of the line-up returning.

“A bunch of our players are returning next year so we are looking to build off this,” he said.