Senior Sultans stumble at provincials, take 1-0 series lead in playoffs
Advertisement
The Carillon Sultans senior baseball team couldn’t manage a win at the AA provincial championships, going 0-3 at the tournament. The Sultans earned a spot at the tournament thanks to a third-place finish last season and West Winnipeg hosting the tournament this season.
Carillon dropped games to Cartwright, Oak River and the hosts and were unable to make the semi-finals. The draw was a bit unlucky for the Sultans, as Oak River and West Winnipeg faced off in the championship final, with the South West Baseball League representatives claiming the championship.
The Sultans were slightly understaffed at provincials, with the Sultans junior team playing in Windsor at the 22U national championships. Cedric Lagasse and Anders Meilleur were sure to take some at bats for Carillon’s final regular season game of the season to ensure they’d be eligible for the team in the playoffs.
The Sultans season continued with a rare home playoff game after press time Aug. 12. The team finished third in the top division of the Winnipeg Senior Baseball League’s regular season and is playing Elmwood in the semi-finals. It was just the second home game in Senior Sultans history.
Carillon defeated Elmwood in game one 15-10 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, in what manager Nick Wall said was one of the craziest games he’s ever taken part in.
The Sultans took a 4-2 lead in the top of the sixth and when the Giants tied it up in the bottom half, plated five in the top of the seventh.
That wasn’t enough for the win, as Elmwood matched again in the bottom of the seventh, only for Carillon to hit around in extra innings to give the visitors the margin they needed.
West Winnipeg is taking on Stonewall in the other semi-final.
If a game three is needed it will be Aug. 17 at Koskie Field in Winnipeg.
Springfield topped the WSBL second division standings with a 14-6 record, and has advanced to the league finals, defeating Pembina 2-0. They’ll be facing South Winnipeg in the finals after they defeated North Winnipeg in the other semi-final.