Newmarket’s 22U AAA baseball team just missed the chance to defend its national title after coming in third in the elimination provincials July 16.
The Hawks team, which won a national title in 2022, lost 6-0 to St. Thomas in its final game of the tourney to miss the chance to be one of Ontario’s two representatives at nationals next month.
Coach Doug Lunney said there is some disappointment, but the team can take pride in finishing third in the 16-team tournament with some of the best squads around the province.
“They were pretty excited about possibly moving on to the nationals. Looks like we had a good shot. When it comes down to three teams, it’s always tough,” he said. “It’s like finishing fourth in the Olympics… But I think feeling good about finishing among the top three against a lot of good teams.”
The team finished with a 4-2 record in the tournament, losing twice to the eventual tournament champion St. Thomas. The top two teams in the tournament would go on to represent Ontario at nationals, which the 22U squad was able to achieve last season.
Newmarket started on a three-game winning streak to open the weekend tournament hosted in London, Dorchester and St. Thomas. They then lost a close contest to St. Thomas, 7-6.
“Had a pretty good lead late in the game and then they came back and beat us,” Lunney said. “That could have certainly changed things.”
Newmarket would defeat East York 7-5 for its fourth win before losing to St. Thomas again on Sunday, ending its chances for nationals.
“We probably exceeded expectations,” Lunney said, adding Newmarket was not among the teams expected to top the elimination tournament this year. “We can feel good about that. It’s always one of those things you’re going to have one of those what-ifs in the back of your mind, thinking about what could have been if certain things had gone differently.”
Newmarket baseball association vice-president of finance Rob Hums said it was a great run for the team attempting to defend their 2022 title.
“Battling through injuries and being short a few players, the boys left it all out on the field to get on the cusp of re-qualifying for Nationals,” Hubs said, adding praise for Lunney’s track record at provincial eliminations with four top-three finishes across different age groups. “Very few, if any, youth coaching resumes can stack up.”
The 22U team still has several games left to play within its own league and a playoff to follow. Lunney said the squad members may change out as the season progresses.
But he said hopefully they have faces back for next year for another chance to reach the national stage.
“Looking ahead to next year, hopefully, a lot of the guys come back and we make another run,” Lunney said.
