9U Cardinals soaring on the diamond

ST. THOMAS - That red streak flying over the ball diamond is likely the St. Thomas 9U Cardinals.

The Cardinals are one of the hottest teams in the area with an overall record of 31-2-1, including three tournament gold medals.

On back to back nights this past week, the Cardinals won the final of the London Talons tournament, before nailing down first place in their London and District Baseball Association (LDBA) division.

"Our team is really consistent. All year we've showed up," Cardinals; manager Mike Wakefield said. "Our defence really carries us when we don't hit. We made good plays which leads into good hitting and good base running."

Josie Goodhue, the team's lone female player, cranked out a walk-off home run, scoring three runs, to mercy North London, 12-2, in the final of the Talons tournament August 3, at the Sauve Ave diamonds.

The final occured two weeks after the scheduled tournament, postponed due to rain.

"We started off slow, tying our first game, that got rain shortened. Then we came out the next game and our bats were on fire and defence carried us through," Wakefield said. "We mercied a team and then we beat our rivals from Leamington. They beat us last year so it was good to beat them. Against Sarnia, we hammered the ball and ended up crushing them, to set this up."

It's the third tourney win for the Cardinals, going 5-0 at both Stratford in June and their Cardinals home tournament in May.

"Our team has been on fire. Everything is working for us right now. It's awesome," said Wakefield. "The kids have really grown. I've had some of these kids for three years now and the pieces we've added have really helped. They're all friends which is the coolest."

St. Thomas dropped Dorchester, 18-14, August 4 at the Tarry Complex, to clinch first in the LDBA.

A double play turned by second baseman Brett Gustavson ended the game.

The playoffs are August 21-23 in London West.

The Ontario Baseball Associaton (OBA) 9U championship is at Chatham, August 27-31.