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Wednesday, July 28, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER An Oakville Beaver Feature Editor: NORM NELSON 845-3824 (Extension 255) Fax:337-5567 REAL SERVICE FROM REAL PEOPLE. THAT'S STATI FARM. Don't trust just anyone to insure your car, see me: "Hal Mayer 2861 Sherwood Heights D t 829-5200 A major triumph for the Majors The Oakville Little League majors won their district championship this past Friday night (July 23rd) -- the first time they've accomplished such a feat. This win allows Oakville to move to the provincial championship playoff in Windsor beginning on Monday (Aug. 2) 'This is a very significant win not only for Oakville Little League, but particularly for the boys on the team," said the major all-stars coach, Frank Corrigan. "Most of these kids have been playing baseball in Oakville for at least four years, and this win allows them to realize their dream of being in the provincials. 'There's a lot of spirit on the team and with the parents who always show a strong turnout at all the games, we have fun. Every member of the team provides a strong and significant contribu­ tion to our successes." The tournament, hosted by Ancaster, was a nail biter right to the very end. Oakville played a total of five games. In game one, Oakville beat Erindale by a score of 2-0; in the second, Oakville beat Ancaster 2-0; in the third, Oakville beat High Park 5-3; iii the fourth, Oakville had a disappointing loss to High Park 3-0; and in the fifth and final game, Oakville, in the bottom of the sixth, took the championship from High Park by defeating them by one run with a final score of 3-2. The sixth inning of the final game kept all the parents and fans at the edge of their seats right to the final play. Going into the bottom of the sixth, Oakville went up to bat, trailing 2-1. Strong pitching by Oakville's Ian Miersch and Trevor Jones, as well as awesome defence by the entire team, held High Park to their only two runs. The first batter up, Trevor Jones, was walked; the second batter, Dan Mandic, was walked; and the third batter, Conrad Fox, was hit in the helmet by a pitch to load the bases. The next batter, Andrew Bartucci, put up a strong battle to High Park's third pitcher of the STABjmiw^!>x li,0nAu, P a »fVSe^°r ce,ebration! BACK ROW (coaches): Charles Bach, Rich Stokes, Frank Corrigan and Mark Baluschak. S lANDtNG: Tyler Chuddy, Mike Clarke, Andrew Bartucci, Ian Miersch and Daniel Mandic. KNEELING: Chris Baluschak, Michael Gomes Michael Mierzwa, Brad Leeming, Adam Cordeiro, Trevor Jones and Conrad Fox. FRONT ROW: Michael Bonano and Conrad Bach game, but was struck-out. Tyler Chuddy then went up to bat. "When I was walking to the plate, I was a bit nervous, but when I got into the box, I felt confi­ dent that I could get a hit," said Chuddy. After three pitches, Tyler connected to deliver a strong line drive to the left centre field fence with the bases loaded, driving in two runs to give Oakville the win. Celebrations of the win carried on late that evening, at an impromptu party hosted by the par­ ents of Michael Bonano, the game's short stop. The coaching staff for the team are:. Frank Corrigan, manager; Rich Stokes, coach; Charles Bach, assistant coach; Mark Baluschak, score- keeper; and Ed Bartucci, secretary-treasurer. The great defensive and offensive players of Oakville's championship team are Conrad Bach, Chris Baluschak, Andrew Bartucci, Michael Bonano, Tyler Chuddy, Mike Clarke, Adam Cordeiro, Conrad Fox, Michael Gomes, Trevor Jones, Brad Leeming, Daniel Mandic, Ian Miersch, and Michael Mierzwa. This win ousts High Park, who for the past six consecutive years, have won the trophy. "This is very significant for us," said Terry Sullivan, president of Oakville Little League. "High Park are the toughest team the majors have faced. They are consistently a strong contender and a very formidable team. "I think our team stands a very good chance in the provincials and the board and executive of Oakville Little league wish the team the best of luck in Windsor." • JUNIOR LITTLE LEAGUE PROVIN­ CIALS AT GLEN ABBEY, SEE PAGE D3 Through to the Ontario Cup sem is The Oakville Wiberg Cobras Under- 13AA Girls Rep team were in action this weekend in defence of their Ontario Cup championship. In a successful weekend, the Cobras advanced to the semifinals of the Ontario Cup. In round-robin play at Shell Park, the Cobras started off strongly with a 4-0 win over Thunder Bay Lakehead Express. Connecting for the Cobras twice in the first half was Erika Taugher with a header off a Laura Bandy comer, and a shot on the turn from a through ball from Ally Skinner. In the second half, Karen Zmiraic got into the action with a powerful shot from a Stephanie Muldoon feed, and a close range header after Leslie Martin had headed on another Bandy comer kick. On a very hot afternoon, the Cobras faced Vaughan Azzurri who also won their first game. In a crucial game, the Cobras stepped up to the challenge and took a 2-0 lead in the first half. Zmirak got the Cobras start­ ed with a quick shot on the turn, and Amanda Cicchini made it two with a great shot from a difficult position. The lead was preserved by a great catch on her goal-line by keeper Katie McKenna, who claimed a high ball under considerable pressure. In the second half, the Cobras held on to their lead with the defence showing their strength, thwarting Vaughan's attempts at a come-back with Laura Lorenz, Katie Capron, and Adrienne Johnstone playing strong games. In its final game against Markham Lightning, the Cobras cruised to a com­ fortable 2-0 victory. Scoring in the first half for Oakville was Leslie Martin who finished off the second attempt after a Jessica Povilaitis shot was saved. Playing well for the Cobras in this game were Heather Lockhart and Kelly McBoyle, adding width to the Cobras passing game. In the second half, Amanda Cicchini dropped a nice pass back to Helen Halbert who hit a great shot into the top of the net (See 'Cobras' page D3) Photo by Peter J. Thomps Heather Lockhart (right) challenges for the ball against Thunder Bay on Saturday. Pan Am gam es round-up Oakville has a huge contingent at the Pan American Games, and some have already reached the podium. The Burloak Canoe Club is well represented, as one would expect, being the two-time defending national club champions. Burloak Canoe Club member Carrie Lightbound of Mississauga, who has been a familiar presence in the Oakville Beaver sports pages, helped Canada kick off the games with a roar, part of two gold medal kayak teams. She was part of the K-4 gold medal winning crew on Thursday and then on Friday she was part of the K-2 duo (along with Marie-Josee Gibeau-Quimet of Lachine, Quebec). Club member Adrian Richardson, who hails from Burritts Rapids, Ontario, scooped bronze in the K-l 1000. Burloaker Victor Neuspiel from Ottawa just missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in the K-2 1000, along with Drassimir Borissov of Dorval, Quebec VOLLEYBALL Two Oakville residents are representing Canada in vol­ leyball. Dan Lewis was named to the beach volleyball team and David Kantor is on the national squad, which played in the recent world league. BASEBALL Clint Lawrence, who is in the Blue Jays farm system in single-A in Dunedin is on the Canadian team at the Pan- Ams. SAILING World Etchells class sailing champ Dirk Knuelman is competing in the Snipe sailing class. He finished fifth in the Doublehand Snipe Open Fleet Race on Monday along with partner Ian Brown of Toronto. ROWING Kyle Warrington is on the men's rowing team. BOXING Boxer Domenic Filane, originally from Schreiber but who has maintained a residence in Oakville for the last sev­ eral years, is on the boxing team. He's a veteran of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and his exploits were well covered in the Oakville Beaver. CYCLING Another 1996 Atlanta Olympian at the Pan-Am games is Eric Wohlberg, originally from Levack but who called Oakville home at the time. He's since moved to Burlington. But he's still tearing up the road, and he won gold in the individual time trial (and got himself front page on the Star, to boot). ATHLETICS Donovan Bailey is slated to run the 4x100m relay for Canada today (Wednesday). He did not race what is nor­ mally a games' marquee event, the 100m on Sunday night, and took some flack from at least one athlete. Speaking of his $200,000 promotional fee given to him (See 'Pan Am ' page D3) REAL SERVICE FROM REAL PEOPLE. A major triumph for the Majors