The Delisle Pride found themselves just a bit outside of the playoffs at U23 Nationals in Kitchener, Ontario, after their game Thursday morning.
The Pride took a tough 2-1 loss to Newfoundland's Murno Mariners, a called strike three with runners in scoring position killing what would have been a bases loaded opportunity against Newfoundland as the two sides battled to stay alive for playoffs in the afternoon.
Thursday's game started at 7:00 AM Saskatchewan time and was a defensive battle early before Newfoundland took a 2-0 lead.
Delisle couldn't seem to get any offense going but kept the game low scoring despite tons of on-base opportunities for the Mariners. That trend rang true until the bottom of the seventh with two outs, when the Pride rallied to get two men on base, but ultimately fell short of tying the game after the questionable strike three call ended the game.
Both Delisle and Murno entered this morning's game at 3-3 after the preliminary round. In the first game of the tournament Delisle faced the host Tavistock Merchants and won in extra innings 5-3, a thrilling game that included a game-tying inside the park home run, and three-run homer in extras to give Delisle the win.
That's when the rollercoaster started as Delisle fell 11-3 to Ronstock their next game, before winning 12-7 against Quebec to open Tuesday morning. That afternoon Delisle fell in a one run contest to Ontario's New Hamburg Mustangs, and then the Pride lost again playing the first game of the day again on Wednesday against Murno, but bounced back with a 10-8 win to even up their record before Thursday.
Related Stories:
- (2022) Delisle Pride bring home bronze after eventful week in Ontario
- (2023) Delisle Pride take silver medal in Saskatoon
- (2024) Pride walk away with familiar silver at U23 Nationals
Including the likes of Team Canada player Max Major, the Delisle group is a talented one that has been playing together for years.
The gold medal has eluded the group recently, coming close as they could in 2024 and 2023 claiming silver, after a bronze back in 2022.No medal this year will make for a tough trip back home to Saskatoon, but the group of Delisle athletes will no doubt be back on the national stage again.
The Pride will be headed home as the playoff round continues today in Kitchener, Ontario, ahead of the bronze and gold medal games being played tomorrow.