It was the Yorkton Junior Cardinals and the Willowbrook Royals in the final series of the South East Senior Baseball League and the Cardinals went three up three down to win the championship title.
The teams squared off in a best-of-five series, the first team to record three victories, wins the series.
Yorkton took the opener last Tuesday on a clear night in Yorkton, took the lead early and didn't look back. They won 6-1.
"It was the Minnie show," offered Brian Trollope, head coach of the Yorkton Jr. Cardinals, of the Juniors' starter that night; by far the tallest guy on the team, Andrew Minchuk.
The 6'5" LHP from MacNutt, recorded 18 strikeouts in the contest, says Trollope.
"Our pitching this year is second to none," notes Trollope.
In game two, which was played last Thursday night on Willowbrook's home field, Ross Stilborn started for the Cardinals and delivered a 6-2 win, says Trollope.
Even with the win, the game got interesting at times, Trollope said, noting that there was a "little controversy at times".
Games get a little heated," he added, noting the rivalry that is taking some shape whenever Yorkton and Willowbrook get together for some baseball action.
With the two victories, the Jr. Cardinals were one win away from claiming their South East Senior Baseball League title.
Logan Calanchie pitched a 10-3 win.
While the pitching has been one of the team's greatest strengths all season long, Trollope would not overlook what it means to have a strong line of defence behind each pitcher.
"Any pitcher would love to have this defence."
Yorkton RHP pitcher Stilborn got the credit for the game three win, said it wasn't just solid pitching that won the game, saying the entire team played well enough that they were going to keep Willowbrook busy for at least three games.
"We got the big runs in. This is a great group of guys."
Stilborn added that it was going to be vital that everyone came out to play on what turned out to be the final night of the 2011 baseball season in the City.
"It's a rival (here)," he observed of the Yorkton vs. Willowbrook games.
The two clubs finished only six points apart from each other in the SESBL standings.
The final meeting of the regular season saw the Royals crown the Cards 10-4 back on July 6.
Stilborn added that Willowbrook was likely out for some revenge on their finals' loss to Yorkton in the same series last year.
"We met in the finals last year. They played good baseball," he said of the Royals' showing in this year's matchup.
When asked what the difference was in the series going the Cardinals' way, he replied: "Our hitting has been solid."
In reference to their opponents, Trollope suggested they made some errors during the course of the series.
"They had some errors but they were running short on pitching."
Trollope said even his team was playing with a shortened bench, but everybody on it still had to come to play.
"They're a good club, no ifs ands or buts," closed Trollope.
NATIONALS
For at least the second year in a row, there will be Yorkton representation at the national championships of Junior baseball (See related story on Page B4/B14???)
. The Cardinals found out last Monday that two members of the bullpen were asked to join the Saskatoon Stallions as they play for national supremacy in Canadian Junior baseball this month.
The tournament is going to be held in Ontario. The players to join the Stallions will be Calanchie and Stilborn.
Stilborn told the paper the night of their SESBL title win that he and Calanchie will be leaving Saskatchewan on Aug. 16.
The two teams know each other from previous tournaments and the Stallions played in the AAA Junior Provincials here in Yorkton last weekend.
The tournament this year will be round robin style with two pools of five teams competing at the nationals. Stilborn said two will represent the host province (Ontario), one from Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and one from Manitoba. British Columbia and Nova Scotia will also play.
