ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Cardinals opened the Ontario Baseball Association 18U C provincial tournament with barely a sweat.
Pitcher Gabe Laliberte tossed a complete six inning game, striking out 11 batters on 71 pitches, as the Cardinals mercied Strathroy, 11-1, Thursday at Emslie Field.
Cam Morrison and Aiden Ward, both batted three for four, with Morrison driving in two runs and Ward, one RBI.
Wyatt Atchison had a pair of hits, including a base clearing double.
St. Thomas faces either Listowel or Caledonia, in their second game Friday, 6 p.m. at Emslie.
The 13-team tournament goes to Sunday, with games played at Emslie and Cardinal field.