The Jasper Bears earned a spot in the provincial peewee ‘A’ baseball finals with four victories at Rundle Park in Edmonton, July 16-17.
Jasper defeated the Parkland Twins 12-6, the Northeast Zone Padres 15-9 and the Twins once again by a 16-3 score. The Bears blanked the St. Paul Storm 7-0 in a make-up game that had been rained out in St. Albert the previous week.
Josh Howes picked up the pitching win in the weekend opener against Parkland. Elvis Gorontzy-Slack, Kelan Polard and Dylan Dekker chalked up RBI hits for the Bears, but it was walks that cost the Twins the game. Gorontzy-Slack’s superb defensive play at shortstop and Polard stealing home were game highlights.
The Bears used a total of six pitchers in their 15-9 triumph over the Padres. Cole Borrow, Sebastian Golla, Jadon Brown, Bryce Smith, Everett Deltz and Polard shared the mound duties with Brown earning the win. Gorontzy-Slack blasted a home run, Dekker pounded a triple and Borrow added a double for Jasper.
The Bears faced the Twins again on Sunday morning and came out with a 16-3 victory. Dekker tossed a solid five innings to pick up the win and relief pitcher Baden Koss finished the game. Polard pounded a home run while Gorontzy-Slack, Howes, Duncan McLeod and Smith helped the offense with two hits each. Koss, Brown, James Valliere and Golla had two walks a piece for Jasper.
Polard pitched a complete game shutout for the Bears in the make up game against the St. Paul Storm. The right-hander gave up three hits while striking out nine Storm hitters. Polard helped his cause with two solid singles. Adding to the Bears’ attack were Dekker, Smith, Golla and Valliere with RBI singles.
Jasper’s current record is 17 wins and one loss this season. The Bears will compete in the provincial finals this weekend at a venue that is still to be announced.
Steve Kushneryk special to the 51°µÍø
