The Mid Island Pirates beat Saskatchewan 5-4 in extra innings to earn a bronze medal at U18 baseball nationals in Fort McMurray. (Mid Island Pirates)

By Dan Marshall

National Bronze

Mid Island Pirates finish third at Baseball Canada U18 nationals

Aug 22, 2022 | 12:55 PM

FORT McMURRAY — The Mid Island Pirates took home the bronze medal at the Baseball Canada U18 nationals.

The BC representatives beat Saskatchewan 5-4 in extra innings on Aug. 21 to capture third place. Earlier in the day the Pirates lost 3-1 to New Brunswick in the semi finals.

Larson Bauck, the Pirates head coach, said the team didn’t load up with more experienced senior players like many other teams did.

“The fact we were going in with our regular team and no pickups, I was shocked to medal for sure. The expectations were never to medal because we didn’t load up so to grab a bronze medal was impressive.”

Mid Island began the tournament on Thursday, Aug. 18 with a tight 9-8 win over the host team from Fort McMurray.

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Day two featured another pair of one run victories, 2-1 over Quebec and 4-3 against Team Alberta.

The Pirates only game on Saturday, Aug. 20 was a 13-6 setback to the eventual champions from Ontario.

Bauck told NanaimoNewsNOW the team is poised to be strong next year as well with a host of returning players.

“Most of our starters are grade 11 at any given time, we’re usually rolling out six or seven grade 11’s on our starting nine. The program’s is extremely good shape, kids are progressing very well, improving at all levels through bantam and junior then you get the results at the senior level eventually.”

The third place showing at nationals caps off a busy summer for the senior Pirates with a full BCPBL season, a U18 provincial title, and several players winning gold at the BC Summer Games.

A session of fall baseball is just around the corner with the team set to hit the field from Sept. 5 to Oct. 17.

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