The first round of the Kings County Baseball League is over and although there were some close contests all four series were three game sweeps.

Stratford Pharmacy Athletics defeated a stubborn Cornwall Mud Hens 6-3 to advance in their series. The Mud Hens were competitive in two of the three games. Ron Thistle and the Mud Hens were a little over matched throughout the season but the strong showing against the first place Pharmacy was a good finish to their season.

Peakes Bombers swept the Sherwood Dodgers beating them 7-2 for the sweep. The Dodgers started the season slow, then won seven of eleven before fading off down the stretch. Dodgers center fielder, Will Jadis should be a star in this league for many years. The Bombers Rob Phelan, 4/4 with two RBI’s and Joe Gardiner 3/3 with three RBI's were the Bombers big hitters in the clincher.

Morell Chevies held off a tough Charlottetown Cannons team to win their series. The Chevies defeated the Cannons 3-2 to win the series. The Cannons were competitive in all three games. In the series clincher, the Cannons Rob Chandler scored in the first inning to give Charlottetown a 1-0 lead. The Chevies tied it in the sixth on an RBI by Scott Ellsworth and won it on the bottom of the seventh when Desi Doyle scored. The Cannons had a strong finish to the season and players like Rob Chandler, Harrison Carmichael and Chad McKay can make this team into a contender.

The Northside Brewers completed the first round sweep last Thursday with a 5-4 win over Peakes Tee Sluggers. Colin MacEwan tossed nine strike outs for the win. The Sluggers had a great regular season and each game against the Brewers could have easily gone either way. Carter McGrath had a great year as has Darin Mitchell. Other youngsters to shine for the Sluggers were Nick Ryan, Mitchell Power, Dillon Doucette and Mitchell Morrison. This young team can only get better for next season.
Semi-final action got started on Sunday with a pair of games. Stratford Pharmacy dropped the Northside Brewers 9-5. Brad Larter can play many position for his team and has been one of the Pharmacy most durable players for many years. Larter’s three run double erased a 4-3 Brewer lead and Stratford never trailed after that. Josh Kirkpatrick went the distance for the win. Game two is scheduled for Thursday evening in Morell. Game time is 6:30

Peakes Bombers scored four runs in the bottom of the first to defeat the Morell Chevies 6-1 in the first game of their semi-final tilt. Neal Morrison’s two out two run single capped of the first inning uproar. Winning pitcher Stephen Birt was in control most of the day allowing Jarrod Laybolt’s long home run to left center field has the only blemish on his day. Neal Morrison led the Bomber charge going 3/3 with three RBI’s. Quen Johnston had two hits for the Chevies. Game two goes Wednesday evening in Morell at 6:30.

The KCBL held their annual awards banquet at Phinleys Diner and Dairy in Stratford last Tuesday evening. Jason MacLean was named league MVP.

There was a nice turnout at the banquet with the guest speaker being KCBL legend Louis Murphy. Murphy was a standout pitcher back in the 1960’s in the old KCBL days. Murphy talked about some of his more memorable games and also pointing out for today’s athletics to be competitive but also have fun.

The event was well organized along with an awesome meal. Chevies pitcher and owners of Phinley’s, Craig Lawlor and wife Jen did a standout job hosting this event

President Aquinas Ryan also paid tribute to Ray MacInnis with a minute of silence before the meal. Ray MacInnis was the president of the PEI baseball umpire association before taking ill with cancer. MacInnis lost his courageous battle when he passed away on August 26th. Our condolences go out to his wife Judy and their three children.

Play-off Trivia... Going try some play-off trivia to finish up the year. Peakes Bombers and Morell Chevies have meant in many finals over the past number of the years. When was the last time these teams met in the semi-finals and what were the results?