Parrsboro -
The Orangemen captured their fourth consecutive Don Yorke Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament championship last weekend, and this time it was not close.
Combining the power hitting and experience of Matt Smith and Bliss Walton with the young speed of brothers Travis and Evan Canning, the Orangemen were untouchable in Sunday's recreational division final against the Underdawgs, winning 14-2 after five innings due to the mercy rule.
The Orangemen jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and did not look back, knocking the wind out of the sails of the young Underdawgs, who could not get their bats going enough to mount a consistent attack.
Smith won the Carl "Corky" Willigar Memorial Award for MVP in the recreational division, while Sandy McCulley of the Underdawgs took home the David Legere Memorial Award for Most Sportsmanlike Player in the division. Speedy Garrett Clarke of the Orangemen won the Ricky Hunter Memorial Award for Most Promising Young Player.
In the co-ed division, Sam's Brewsters pulled off the win after losing in the final game last year. Timely hits and solid defence saw the Brewsters pull off an undefeated run on the weekend, and an impressive 6-1 victory over the Sunshine Team in this year's final.
Judy Brown of Sam's Brewsters won the Ron Richard Memorial Award for MVP in the co-ed division, while the Gardiner Yorke Memorial Award for Most Sportsmanlike Player went to Don Yorke Jr. of the Sunshine Team.
In other awards, the Sharon Booker Yorke Memorial Award for Most Promising Young Female Player went to Shelby Leopold of Buds n Suds, while the Brenda and Vernon Desmond Memorial Award for Most Sportsmanlike Team went to SWAT Team.
The tournament committee also reinstated the award for "Most Comical Play" awarding it in memory of Randy Yorke, to Bill Morris of the Tailgators.
"I'd just like to thanks to everybody for all the sportsmanship this weekend," said committee member Karla Fulton, during closing ceremonies on Sunday. "We had a great weekend, and next year is the 25th anniversary of this event. We have a lot of great things planned so I hope to see you all back next year."
