ALVINSTON QUALIFIES FOR WORLD TOURNAMENT
June 26, 2010
 

The Alvinston Indians traveled to Innerkip last weekend past weekend, for the 8 team ISC Qualifier.  With 2 teams earning berths when the tournament wrapped up, the Indians wanted to be around on Sunday, for their shot at the berth for the World Tournament. 

The Indians opened up against the Innerkip Eagles, and got to work right away, touching Innerkip up for a 3-0 lead after the first inning.  Ryan Gray and Keith Rankin both singled, and then Gray scored on an RBI double by Rowan Lam, and then Ryan Chapman drove in both Rankin and Lam when he spanked a double, for the 3-0 lead.  Innerkip then chipped away, and added single runs in the third and fifth innings to make it close, however, Alvinston finally pulled the curtains shut, adding three runs in the seventh for a 6-3 win.  Ryan Chapman and Scott Smith both singled for Alvinston, and then Andy Triest executed a bunt single, scoring Chapman.  Joe Triest then singled to score A. Triest, and Keith Rankin would eventually single, to score J. Triest.  Alvinston clsoed out game one with a 6-3 win, with Brad Young earning the win, with Ryan Swift preserving the win for Young in 2 1/3 innings of relief. 

In game 2, the Alvinston Indians squared off against the always tough Shakespeare Falcons.  A win would put them in good position in round robin play, and that's exactly what they got to work at in the first inning.  Chris Drew walked to spark the Indians with one out, and then with two out, and Drew now on second base, Ryan Swift smacked an RBI single to score Drew for the game's first run.  Alvinston bats would then settle down, however, Alvinston and starter Ryan Swift, were able to hold Sharkespeare off the scoreboard.  Swift would end up tossing 4 2/3 innings, and with Shakespeare threatening with runners on first and third in the fifth inning, Alvinston turned the inning over to Shaun Winship, who promptly recorded the final out, by way of the striekout, and preserving the lead.  The big stop by Winship, propelled the Alvinston offence in the bottom of the fifth, when they went on to capture five runs on three hits, and what would eventually be a 6-0 win.  Rankin, Swift, Lam, Chapman, and Mark McCallum scored for Alvinston, while it was Rowan Lam's 2 RBI double, and Ryan Chapman's 2 run homerun that sealed the game. 

With a 2-0 start, and a chance at first place in their pool, the Alvinston Indians played the pesky Hickson Reds.  The winner would be the first seed in their division, while the loser would take the second seed.  Alvinston again struck first in the second inning, for two runs, when Swift walked, and then scored on a two run homerun by Rowan Lam.  Alvinston would then accumulate two add-on runs, when Gray and J. Triest both singled, and eventually scored, for a 4-0 lead.  Hickson would then chip away at the lead, adding two runs of their own, in their half of the fourth inning.  Hickson would then make the game close at 4-3, when they counted another run in the sixth, but Alvinston put the game away fro good, when they added an insurance run in the seventh inning.  Chris Drew tripled for Alvinston, and eventually came around to score on a groundout by Rowan Lam.  Winship earned the win for Alvinston, pitching the entire seven innings, and earning Alvinston first place in their division, and a rendez-vous with the Kitchener Outlaws on Sunday morning, in the undefeated game.  Winship, allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, while earning the win, and striking out 13. 

Sunday morning set the stage for the undefeated game against the Kitchener Outlaws.  The winner of this game would assure themselves a berth in this year's ISC World Tournament, while the loser would have to come back the long way.  Kitchener counted first in the second inning, however, Alvinston equaled matters with a run of their own, when J. Triest singled, and scored on an RBI double by Chris Drew.  The game remained tight, and knotted at one's, until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Drew singled, advanced to second on a sac bunt by Jeff Ingram, and then scored on an RBI single by Swift.  Swift would also come around to score eventually, and Alvinston went on to win the undefeated game, 3-1.  Indians starter Young pitched 5 1/3 quality innnings, and then Winship came in to close the deal, and seal the win for Alvinston.  The win earned a berth for Alvinston in both the ISC World Tournament, and the Championship Final of the qualifier, where the Indians could win the whole tournament. 

They did just that in game 5, as it was a no-doubter, as Alvinston put it to Kitchener in the Championship, with a 7-0, five inning mercy win.  Alvinston scored early and often scoring two runs in the first, one in the second, two in the third, and three in the fourth, for the 7-0 shutout win.  Winship earned the shutout on the mound for Alvinston, pitching five innings, allowing five hits, while striking out 5 Kitchener swingers.  Scoring for Alvinston were J. Triest (3), Rankin (2), Swift, Lam, and Chapman.  Driving in the runs were Drew (2), Swift (2), A. Triest (2), and Lam.

All in all, Alvinston was a perfect 5-0 on the weekend.  They won the qualifier, and achieved their goal of qualifying for the ISC World Tournament, in Midland, Michigan, from August 14-21.  Alvinston scored 28 runs for, and allowed only 6 against, in five games of play.  Alvinston now has a record of 20-5 on the season, and travel to Port Huron this coming weekend for yet another tournament.