Studded with former collegiate and pro players, the Victoria Mavericks all-star baseball team swept its way to a B.C. championship in Kelowna.
Pitcher Keith Shaw threw six shutout innings in the final game, a 1-0 win over the Coquitlam Angels. Matt Atkinson relieved Shaw in the seventh inning for the save and Lanny Burrows scored the game’s only run.
The win qualifies the Mavericks for next summer’s Canadian National Championship in Prince George. Victoria last won the men’s national championship in 2008 in Brandon, Man.
General manager Patrick Nahirney credited his team’s early leads as a key role throughout the provincials.
“(Our) pitching staff and defence were impeccable, with two starters logging shutout wins, and the entire pitching staff allowing only five runs in five games. The team never trailed,” he said.
Centrefielder Kyle Pockett was awarded tournament MVP for hitting 10-for-15 in the leadoff spot.
The tourney ran July 29 to Aug. 1.
Next up for the all-star squad is the Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament on Labour Day weekend, Aug. 31 to Sept 5. The Grand Forks field includes 12 teams, one from Australia, with a money prize to the winner.
The players chosen to the Mavericks all-star squad come from the six-team Mavericks men’s league that plays out of Lambrick Park in Gordon Head. This year’s Mavericks season is nearing its end with playoffs starting Saturday (Aug. 13).
Mavericks provincial recap
Game 1: Shaun Loglisci throws complete game, 4-0 shutout against the Trail Orioles. Kyle Pockett bats 3-for-3 with a walk.
Game 2: Former Victoria Seals pitcher Graham Campbell throws another complete game, 3-1 over the reigning national champion Burnaby Bulldogs.
Game 3: Matt Atkinson throws the team’s third-straight complete game, a 7-2 win over the Kamloops Sun Devils. Sean Murphy hits a three-run home run.
Game 4: Jesse Dill pitches the Mavericks to a 6-2 playoff win over the Coquitlam Angels, clinching the Mavericks’ spot in the final.
Game 5: Mavericks defeat Angels again, 1-0, after Angels win an extra playoff game to get to final.
- with files from Shelley Lipke