YORKTON - It was an ‘instant classic.’
At least it was for Yorkton Minor Baseball as the Yorkton U11 AA Cardinals won the provincial championship final Sunday afternoon over the defending champions, Weyburn Beavers 19-16.
The contest was an emotional rollercoaster with several lead changes throughout the six-inning final, said Cardinal coach Mark Schendel.
However, the Cardinals would make a few more key plays than their opponent and would capture the provincial title.
“That’s been part of our identity as a team, when things get difficult, it’s just right for us, “said Schendel Monday. “We’re a resilient, determined group.”
The Cardinals would trail on a few occasions, including being down by six in the fourth inning. However, the Cardinals offence could not be stopped and they would inevitably take the lead heading into the top half of the sixth.
“We didn’t play our best game in the final, there were certainly episodes where we gave the Beavers a few additional outs,” mentioned Schendel. Once the Cardinals got the lead back through 5, the defence responded and they were able to close things out.
Schendel commended their opponent from Sunday’s final.
“I have respect for that ball club. They are a well-coached, relentless group. One through twelve in their lineup, they get after the baseball.”
Schendel indicated that the two teams would chat throughout the weekend thinking they would be on a collision course.
The Cardinals would go undefeated throughout the weekend. They would win their first three games of the weekend by scores of 17-2 over the Regina Yankees, 17-0 over the Swift Current 57’s, and then 17-3 over Swift Current again in the provincial semi-final.
Swift Current was 21-1 in the Regina U11 AA league heading into the weekend.
“Our players checked a lot of boxes for us this weekend. The entire lineup tore the cover off the ball at the plate, they were tidy in the field defensively, and our pitchers had great command,” said Schendel.
The Cardinals had formed their provincial winning team back in March and were part of the Regina U11 AAA League in the spring and summer.
“When we started this journey, as a coaching staff, we indicated to our players that everything we do will have a purpose and our ultimate goal will be the provincial championship in the middle of July,” said Schendel.
Mission accomplished.
The head coach and his assistants were blessed with a group of motivated players that not only represented Yorkton well on the field, but maybe more importantly, off the field, offered Schendel.
“That may be one thing I’ll miss the most from this group of amazing kids, the banter between them. These dozen kids were truly a group of brothers,” he said.
