MARYSTOWN, N.L. — The Marystown Mariners under 12 softball team went unbeaten in six games to bring home the Softball NL Provincial title following the tournament held in Carbonear the weekend of July 13-15.
The team, who were representing the town for the first time in 15 years at the tournament, had a record of 5-0 going into the championship game against the Burin Eagles, who were also representing their hometown at the tournament for the first time in almost two decades.
Dale Foote, one of the coaches for the Marystown team, said both teams played a high caliber of ball during the final matchup.
“I thought the players played phenomenal,” said Foote “We didn’t know what to expect going in there, we’ve only been playing locally between us and Burin so far this year after our team was picked.”
Foote added that 19 teams from across the province took part in the three-day tournament, “…so we really didn’t have an idea what to expect going in, but our team ended up going in there — finishing (with a record of) 6-0, winning the championship, so obviously we we’re ecstatic about their performance.”
Foote said all together it was a well-organized tournament, with skilled players on all teams taking part, “but at the end of the day our kids pulled it all together from beginning to end and played some awesome softball.”
The team played the Burin Eagles in the championship game held on Sunday, July 15 defeating them by a score of 17-10 to take home the title.
Player Lyam Hanrahan said it was an exciting moment when they won their final game of the weekend.
“It feels pretty good,” he said. “Seeing how it is the first time the trophy has left the Avalon (Peninsula) in 25 years, and for Marystown to be back in the tournament for the first time in 15 years, it feels good to win.”
He added that going into the championship game against Burin they used the knowledge they had gathered on the team from past games held leading up to the tournament.
“I felt pretty good seeing how (we) knew what our competition would be like,” he said.
He added that given that many of the players on both teams were friends they were rooting for each other, “seeing your friend and not being upset if you lose because you know it is your friends (that) you played.”
Landon Foote added that it was an advantage to the team taking on Burin for the title, “because you knew where to place the ball to.”
The three players The Southern Gazette spoke with said there were plenty of big plays in the final game. Nicholas Murray recalled one such play that came in the fourth.
“One of the big moments was when (Burin) had one out and we had a double play to end the inning cause if they had of scored another run they would have took the lead,” he recalled.
Celebration
The team returned home to a motorcade on Sunday following the win. The players agreed it was a fun way to have their accomplishment recognized.
“I liked it,” said Lyam Hanrahan, “especially where we got to have a party at Nicholas’s house at the end.”
