The Burnaby Minor Braves captured an association-first Western Canada baseball title last weekend.
The Braves went undefeated in all five games, including a 13-3 mercy-rule win over the Humboldt Dodgers in the championship final in Swift Current, Sask on Sunday.
Trailing 3-1 after the third inning, Burnaby exploded for a seven-run fourth, which included six home runs.
Swinging the heavy bats were Ladner pickup Michael Tersigni and Josh Marchese, with two dingers apiece, while Ryan Baker and Flynn Ridley belted single homers.
In the opening game of the Westerns against Humboldt, Burnaby had a tougher time of it before Tersigni clubbed a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to help the Braves to a 13-10 win.
Davis Mabone was named a game MVP by opposing coaches in two of Burnaby's wins, while Shawn Crosby, Tersigni and 11-year-old Theo Millas, who pitched a 15-5 five-inning gem against the host Swift Current Indians in the early Saturday game earned the other star mentions.
Also sharing in the history-making banner were Burnaby's Mykel Ferguson, Cameron Jackson, Marshall Luiz and Mattia Mangione, who was unable to make the trip to Saskatchewan. Additions to the B.C. champion squad were Ethan Soroka and Adam Sarafinchan of Kelowna, Brayden Radcliffe and Cameron LeSergent of Duncan and Oceanside association's Ethan Christensen.
The Braves also defeated the Winkler Diamond Dogs 15-4 and the East Central Bulls 8-3 in the three-day competition.
"I was excited, but it's just another good step forward for Burnaby Minor. It capped off a good season of minor baseball," said Burnaby coach Willie Mabone. "It's about the kids. It's great for them. They're all excited about next year, and that's what you want. Hopefully they will stay together and go to the next level to play."
