The Burnaby Minor Braves are the new provincial moquito AA champions.
Game MVP Matthias Vaid overcame pre-game sickness to lead the Braves, allowing just one run on two hits, while striking out five batters in a 13-2 win over Oceanside in the championship final on Aug. 5. Nicholas Macpherson earned the save in the sixinning final.
Simon Bailie led a ninehit Burnaby onslaught with two hits, including a triple and three runs batted in.
"This is the best team I've ever had and the first (B.C. title) as head coach," said Brent Swannie, who shared the coaching duties with Glen Macpherson. "We put it all together when we had to."
Oliver Zhou was named the top offensive player at the provincials, garnering a total of nine runs and seven hits at the plate, including five RBI and two home runs. Zhou also excelled on the mound, striking out 12 batters in Burnaby's two earlier pool wins over Vernon and Surrey, allowing just four hits and one earned run.
The Braves advanced to the final with a 16-8 win over Penticton. Mathew Ponis clubbed his first-ever dinger in the win, garnering three RBI in a two-hit performance.
Game MVP Curtis Alsop struck out three batters and reached base three times for Burnaby.
The Braves opened with a 13-2 win over Gibsons. MVP Devin Alsop had five RBI and closed out the win on the mound.
Jordan Swannie, who received seven stitches in the face in the opening game, came back in the following pool game to lead Burnaby to a 16-12 win over Oceanside, allowing just two runs on three hits while batting in three runs and stealing three bases.
Kellen Bjornson made the play of the game, snagging a low line-drive to third with two on for the final out.
Aidan Caporale, at the plate, and Nathan Chua, in the outfield, turned in stellar plays to help Burnaby to a 5-1 win over Surrey.
Tristan Haggart belted a triple in the Braves' only loss to Vernon at the provincials.
Braves' all-stars Swannie, Macpherson, Haggart, Ponis and Zhou played for the Burnaby Red Sox that put together a 27-0 record in league and interlock play this season.
