It was a magical weekend for the GTBL's own Thornhill Reds at the 2019 Provincial Elimination Tournament in Windsor this past long weekend, as the Reds gritted out eight games in four days, before succumbing to the Sarnia Braves 1-0 in the championship final.

It was a personal best for Manager Nolan Revin, as well as the Thornhill franchise, who were led by some outstanding pitching performances over the weekend. Veteran right hander Chadwick Cameron turned in a performance to be discussed for years, as his Saturday CG 2-1 win over the five time champion Tecumseh Thunder was only out done by his Monday morning bounce back CG 1-0 win against the Windsor Stars. It marked the second time that Cameron has eliminated the Stars by a 1-0 count, and the third time in the last number of years that the Reds have sent the Stars packing. Mack Major also was huge over the fifty six innings of ball, turning in a 7-2 CG win over perennial provincial standout Strathroy, and bouncing back to throw the heartbreaking final against the Braves. 

Josh Appel got the weekend started right for the Reds with a 6-0 win against league mate Martingrove Sox, and Jaz Shergill made sure Friday was a perfect start for the Reds, as they allowed no runs in the first two games of the tournament in a 10-0 five inning mercy win against the Leaside Leafs. 

Saturday saw the big 2-1 win over powerhouse Tecumseh, which earned the Reds the bye, and the rest of Saturday off.

Sunday morning saw the two undefeated teams tangle as the Braves handed the Reds their first loss of the weekend, a 7-4 decision that put Thornhill's backs against the wall. Sunday eve Major eliminates Strathroy with the masterful 7-2 performance which propelled the Reds into Monday, and gave them some momentum.

Monday morning saw the Reds in a tough position. Having lost all star Russ McGibbon to a knee injury a week before the tournament, the Reds were already playing short handed when defensive stalwart, and clubhouse leader Argenis Paz suffered a leg injury which caused him to miss the rest of the day. Center fielder Sean Sutton was already playing lame and down in the seven spot, gutting through all of Monday on one leg.

First Cameron wills the Reds past the Stars 1-0 in the semi final, sending Thornhill to a match up with Sarnia for a trip to New Brunswick. In game one the Reds trailed late, after squandering a 2-1 lead to trail 3-2, the Reds loaded the bases in their final at bats. With two out, OF Dan Apostoli sliced a base hit down the left field line, to give the Reds the emotional 4-3 walk off win and set up a one game do or die final for all the marbles.

Game two saw neither side take control as Braves ace Mike Damchuk and the Reds Mack Major kept both offenses quiet for six plus innings of ball. As the Braves batted in the bottom of the seventh inning, they loaded the bases with two out. The first pitch of the at bat squirted away from the Reds catcher and rolled towards the backstop plating the final game's only run. 

Hats off to the Thornhill Reds for a magnificent run, and outstanding weekend of baseball. The entire GTBL was behind you, thanks for keeping us all entertained this weekend!

THORNHILL 6-2

 Other results

NEWMARKET 2-2 W vs Kendal and Niagara, L vs Strathroy and Tecumseh

PICKERING 2-2 W vs Martingrove and Erindale, L vs Leaside and Brampton

LEASIDE 1-2 W vs Pickering, L vs Thornhill and Mississauga

EAST YORK 0-2 L vs Strathroy and Burlington

MARTINGROVE 0-2 L vs Thornhill and Pickering

KENDAL 0-2 L vs Newmarket and Erindale