Call them the Bash Brothers.
The New Westminster major All Stars showed how the home run is difficult to defend against as they marched through the district playoffs, earning the berth to next week’s provincials.
With six weeks of training and team building behind them, the
All Stars unleashed its heavy-hitting arsenal and swamped rival Hastings 18-7 in last Saturday’s final at Justin Morneau Field.
For coach Ben Tong, the boost in power over the short season was part of the game plan – but the surge has been a little surprising.
“We had nine home runs in the final, and five in the semifinal,” remarked Tong. “We have been a good hitting team, but I never expected this much (home runs).”
Aaron Judge has nothing on these sluggers.
Entering last week’s district playoffs as one of the favourites, New West soon found itself in a hole after falling 16-3 to South Vancouver in the opener. They were also edged by Trout Lake, a club that hadn’t won a district playoff game in five years.
That seemed to be the bottom of the barrel, said Tong.
After a 1-3 record in the round robin, New West faced No. 1 seed South Vancouver in the semifinal – with one loss ending their season, but needing to beat their rival twice to advance.
They responded with a 9-4 victory in Game 1, and then blasted five long balls in a 15-4 mercy win to move on to the final.
Against Hastings, New West struck the first blow against last year’s Canadian champion, when leadoff hitter Brendan Tong knocked the second pitch of the game over the fence. In the top of the fifth with the score tied 7-7, they grabbed the lead for good when Diego Fuentes, Jack Sutherland and Zachary Mankoo strung together three straight homers.
Carefully managing his No. 1 arm, Ben Hewitt, with a 20-pitch limit, coach Tong was able to use him in each of the final three games, where he registered all three wins.
By going yard, New West locked up its third consecutive berth to the provincials and are going to Victoria for the July 22 to 30 tournament.
Although the coaches strategized and prepared the team to be a hitting-heavy lineup, the dedication and success they’ve shown has been a pleasant surprise.
“Since the all-star season started June 1, over 21 games we’ve hit 54 home runs,” noted Tong. “It’s been phenomenal, and this has been the best-hitting team I’ve coached in six years.”
The team took some inspiration from a video sent by New Westminster slugger and one-time American League MVP Justin Morneau.
“Justin sent us a video note saying good luck and get it done,” recalled Tong. “It’s just been an incredible ride so far.”
