The Ladner Midget Red Sox began the summer ball season by successfully defending their title in the annual Cook Memorial Tournament in Newton.
The tournament started with a convincing 12-0 victory over defending provincial champions Kamloops River Dogs, followed up by a 13-9 win over Abbotsford in a backand-forth game. Ladner finished the round robin with a 10-0 decision over Newton.
Ladner knocked off Campbell River 7-1 in the semifinal, setting the stage for a showdown against a strong Ridge Meadows team in the final. The game was tightly contested throughout and ended on a diving catch in centre field by Ladner to preserve a 6-5 win and the championship.
The Red Sox team consists of Ryan Mackenzie, Parker Strukoff, Cam Gray, Jordan Bogress, Jared Leversage, Brayden Lyons, Cam Thompson, Tyler Sanders, Connor Laidlaw, Tyler McLennan, Jordan Hawksworth and Abby Parsons. Josh Swidinsky was absent for the tournament. Coaches are Bruce MacKenzie, Russ Gray, Brian Yamasaki, Rob Bogress and Ray Beisick.
