Tillsonburg Old Sox tune up for nationals
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Tillsonburg Old Sox rocked early in the four-team Dufferin-Simcoe Rockers Tournament.
“We won our first and second games and hit the ball well,” said manager Sam Lamb, recalling back-to-back wins at Creemore Park on Saturday July 13. “Good defence and good pitching.”
The Old Sox defeated Oakville 8-1, then shut out Hamilton 11-0 to reach Sunday’s championship game against Barrie.
“We kicked the ball around and could not hit in clutch situations,” said Lamb after an 11-8 loss to second-seed Barrie.
July 13
Barrie 2, Oakville 1
Barrie 11, Hamilton 2
Tillsonburg 8, Oakville 1
The Old Sox gave up an early first-inning run, but nothing the rest of the way Saturday.
A leadoff Dave Hodges home run in the third kick-started the Old Sox offence. Brian Kempster hit a one-out single, and back at the top of the order Trevor Lamb, Rick Boon, and John Lierman hit consecutive singles. Rick LaForte reached on a walk, and scored after a Shawn Kivell double and Hodges single to make it 6-1.
Tillsonburg 11, Hamilton 0
Saturday afternoon’s match against Hamilton featured a balanced offensive effort. The Old Sox generated runs in every inning but the second, and got runs from top to bottom in the order.
John Lierman (3-4) doubled twice and scored three runs.
July 14
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Barrie 11, Tillsonburg 8
The Old Sox cashed in five first-inning runs, and carried a 5-1 lead into the third inning. Derek Barnard hit a 3-RBI home run in the first.
Barrie replied with big innings in the third, fourth and sixth.
John Lierman played well all weekend, said Lamb, “and hit very good,” receiving the team’s MVP.
NATIONALS
The Dufferin-Simcoe tournament was the final preparation for the Old Sox heading into the Canadian National Oldtimer Baseball Federation’s national 35+ championships in Edmonton, August 1-5.
Sixteen 35-plus teams have been separated into four pools. The Old Sox are pooled with Kindersley (Sask.), Lloydminster Twins (Alberta), and St. Albert Cardinals (Alberta).
Tillsonburg Old Sox Canadian Nationals roster
Terry Lamb – infielder / coach
Sam Lamb – manager / coach
Brian Kempster – pitcher / infielder
Shawn Kivell – infielder
Derek Barnard – infielder / outfielder
Dave O’Donnell – assistant coach
Terry Lammens – outfielder
Rick Boon – infielder
Mike Peever – infielder / outfielder
Derek Partlo – infielder / pitcher
Dave Hodges – catcher
Shawn Lisabeth – outfielder
Dave Nichol – catcher
Rick LaForte – infielder / pitcher
Don Barnard – coach
John Lierman – pitcher
Jason Mudford – pitcher
Trevor Lamb – catcher / pitcher
Jon Nunn – pitcher