15U Elite Hawks make deep run at Baseball Ontario Eliminations
2019-08-05
Hawks 15U Elite at 2019 Baseball Ontario Eliminations tournament
With a berth in the Baseball Canada 15U National Championships at stake, the 15U Elite Hawks reached the semi-finals before unfortunately losing to eventual champion Whitby.
Baseball Ontario runs open Eliminations (aka "Elims") tournaments at the 13U, 15U, 18U, 21U, and Senior age groups annually on the August long weekend where the champion qualifies to represent Ontario at the Baseball Canada National Championships.
In 2005 and 2015, the Hawks' 13U AAA teams won this prestigious distinction and played at the Nationals hosted by PEI and Quebec, respectively. Among other close calls, the Hawks 15U Elite team were silver medallists in 2017. Elims tournaments are often considered the toughest baseball tournaments in Canada to win due to the depth and quality of the field as well as the marathon nature of the tournament (six or seven wins needed in the double-knockout tournament).
At this year's 15U Elims in Mississauga from Aug. 2-5, the 2019 version of the 15U Elite Hawks made an impressive run at the title after winning four straight games to start the tournament, and at one point they were the only undefeated team in the entire 24-team field.
The Hawks eventually lost in the semi-finals to a very strong Whitby team who ended up winning the championship.
Despite the loss, the Hawks finished T3 and should be very proud of their accomplishments and for how they represented the Newmarket Baseball Association. Congratulations to players Finn, Adam, Evan, Marc, Keegan, Daniel, Carter, Cameron, Brett, Jack, Mitchel, Jensen, Sam, Trent, Graham, and Kade and Coaches Rob, Jamie, Chris, Kevin, and Dave.
Part of the 15U team's success this weekend is due to the collaboration among Hawks Elite Program coaches during the off-season that resulted in three 14U players and one 14U coach being called up to play important roles on the 15U team during the tournament.
And a HUGE thank you to longtime Hawks coaches and supporters Rich Lunney, Doug Lunney, and Brian Bratt and their families for taking time out of their long weekend to travel to Mississauga to cheer on the 15U team during their impressive run.
In 2005 and 2015, the Hawks' 13U AAA teams won this prestigious distinction and played at the Nationals hosted by PEI and Quebec, respectively. Among other close calls, the Hawks 15U Elite team were silver medallists in 2017. Elims tournaments are often considered the toughest baseball tournaments in Canada to win due to the depth and quality of the field as well as the marathon nature of the tournament (six or seven wins needed in the double-knockout tournament).
At this year's 15U Elims in Mississauga from Aug. 2-5, the 2019 version of the 15U Elite Hawks made an impressive run at the title after winning four straight games to start the tournament, and at one point they were the only undefeated team in the entire 24-team field.
The Hawks eventually lost in the semi-finals to a very strong Whitby team who ended up winning the championship.
Despite the loss, the Hawks finished T3 and should be very proud of their accomplishments and for how they represented the Newmarket Baseball Association. Congratulations to players Finn, Adam, Evan, Marc, Keegan, Daniel, Carter, Cameron, Brett, Jack, Mitchel, Jensen, Sam, Trent, Graham, and Kade and Coaches Rob, Jamie, Chris, Kevin, and Dave.
Part of the 15U team's success this weekend is due to the collaboration among Hawks Elite Program coaches during the off-season that resulted in three 14U players and one 14U coach being called up to play important roles on the 15U team during the tournament.
And a HUGE thank you to longtime Hawks coaches and supporters Rich Lunney, Doug Lunney, and Brian Bratt and their families for taking time out of their long weekend to travel to Mississauga to cheer on the 15U team during their impressive run.