Estey: Stevenson pitches complete game as Islanders beat Quebec for senior crown

Team New Brunswick Wins Canadian Gold at Senior Nationals

By Dan Estey

Canadian Amateur Baseball Central News

The Charlottetown Gaudets Auto Body Islanders, representing Team New Brunswick, won the Canadian Men’s Baseball National Gold Medal. They defetaed the two-time defending champions Team Quebec by 8-1 in front of about 600 fans at Currie Field in Regina, Sask. They Islanders knocked off Quebec twice at this event 7-2 in round robin play as well to close out a very impressive 6-1 run through the nationals.

The Islanders put this one out of reach early as they scored three runs in the first inning and followed that with another three spot in the third building an early 6-0 lead. They would add two more runs in the sixth to extend that lead to 8=0. Team Quebec scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to close out the scoring.

Team New Brunswick starter Jordan Stevenson got all of the offense he would need in the top of the opening frame. He was masterful carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth against a very potent Quebec lineup. He went the distance tossing seven innings allowing one run on three hits. He walked two while striking out two in the complete game win.

Connor Angel, the first of four Quebec hurlers took the loss. He would not record an out only pitching to four batters allowing three runs on zero hits, walking three. Felix Cote, David Gauthier and Rene-Dave Pelchat also pitched for the blue and white.

At the plate, Charlottetown was led by DH Josh Myers who was 2-for-4 with a towering HR to right field scoring a run and collecting three RBIs. 1B Nick MacPhail went 2-for-3 with a homer, scoring three times and knocking in two, while LF Simon Dubois was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a walk, a run scored and two RBIs.

Ryan Bawart, Raphael Gladu and Josue Peley had the hits for Team Quebec with Peley collecting the sole RBI of the game.

Tournament awards” Fredericton Royals SS Max Grant was named the top hitter of the competition while LHP Haden Down of Saint John was the top defensive player of the tournament.

Grant was sensational at the plate during the tournament as he went 11-for-23 with two HRs, three triples, three doubles, 11 runs scored and 11 RBIs on top of playing some stellar defense at SS. Not to be outdone, Dow was magnificent on the mound for Team NB. In two starts, the 24 year old was 2-0 in 13 innings. He allowed two runs -- one earned)-- on 12 hits while walking none and striking out 12.

With the title, it is the first ever for a PEI based team at the national level and the first title won by Team New Brunswick since the Chatham Ironmen turned the trick back in 2019 at home. Dougie Hines, JP Stevenson, Mark Arsenault, Jake Beck and the whole island crew had a great week.