TRIBUNE REPORT CARD: Redbirds Baseball: A
By Jacob Kanter, The ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Tribune
It seemed at the beginning of the year that the youth-laden
Redbirds wouldn't be able to do much with an automatic bid to the
National Championship tournament.
But ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ surprised many by earning an 11-5 regular season record,
and finishing tied atop the Northern division with Lafleche
College. The stage was set for the Redbirds to take a run at their
second national title in three years, but the strength of the teams
from around the country diminished tournament expectations.
The Redbirds' pitching carried them through the season-Ben Fax, for
example, didn't allow an earned run in a 19 inning stretch-and
their starters rose to the occasion at Nationals.
Fax and Simon Ayotte went the distance in wins over Lafleche and
St. Clair College, and the Redmen found themselves facing the
University of New Brunswick Cougars in the national final. But the
magic ran out, and a seventh-inning rally fell short, as Ernie
D'Alessandro's club fell 5-3.
After coming so close with 10 freshmen on the roster, the Redbirds
should have more opportunities to play on the national stage in the
immediate future. Fax's departure will leave a gaping hole in the
starting rotation, but Ayotte and David Haberman will be able to
fill in for him. Youth abounds at the plate, as CF Adam Gordon and
C Casey Aurebach batted in the heart of the order in their first
year. Both were named to the all-tournament team.
If D'Alessandro can land some freshmen to help out on the mound
next year, the Redbirds should make it to Nationals the
old-fashioned way-by winning their division outright.
Tribune MVP: Ben Fax, starting pitcher
Tribune Player to Watch: Adam Gordon, centre fielder