Griffin, Deans no-hit Quebec to lead Atlantic to T12 championship

Team Atlantic celebrates their 2017 Tournament 12 victory, after a 1-0 win over Quebec in the championship game on Sunday night at Rogers Centre. Photo Credit: Tyler Partridge

By Jose Taboada

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- In a tight ball game, the Atlantic squad captured its second Tournament 12 championship with a combined no-hitter as they beat Quebec Blue 1-0, Sunday night at Rogers Centre.

The Atlantic team got its pitching help from the Futures Navy as Caden Griffin (Nepean, Ont.) and Brandon Deans (Mississauga, Ont.) were invited to play in the final as part of the philosophy that showing skills to the collected pro and college scouts is more important than wins or losses.

Griffin finished the game with nine strikeouts and two walks in five innings, while Deans closed out the final two innings in relief, allowing only a walk with no strikeouts.

Caden Griffin (Nepean, Ont.) worked the final two innings for the Atlantic squad in the Tournament 12 championship game on Sunday. Photo Credit: Tyler King.

Micah McDowell (Coldbrook, N.S.) was named tournament MVP, scoring three runs, stealing four bases, with two RBI on a weekend that saw hit .308. His OPS (On-base plus slugging) was .708.

It was a pitcher’s duel throughout -- Quebec also had a strong presence on the mound. Their starter Christopher Pouliot (Boischatel, Que.) finished with two innings, three walks and two strikeouts.

Despite loading the bases in the top of the third, Quebec relief pitcher Emile Boies (Levis, Que.) escaped a no-out bases loaded situation to keep the game scoreless after three innings.

It wasn’t until the top of the sixth inning where Atlantic finally broke free from the scoreless tie as Jake MacKinnion (Mineville, N.S.) brought home Max Grant (Fredericton, N.B.) from third on a single to give them the 1-0 lead off Phillippe Breton (Repentigny, Que.).

This is Atlantic’s second championship in the five years of the tournament.

Team photo of 2017 Tournament 12 championship-winning Atlantic squad. Photo Credit: Tyler King