Chuckers lose heartbreaker in Semi

After going 3-1 in the round robin, the Chuckers fell 2-1 to the Delta Tigers in the crossover.

Richmond opened the BC Minor provincials with a 4-0 win over the Victoria Black Eagles.  Justin Thorsteinson was outstanding in the start, going 5 2/3 innings allowing zero runs on three hits, while striking out 11 and walking four.  Peter Broderick and Josh Moscovitz lead the offense in a tight, well played contest.

Game two had the Chuckers facing the league champion Abbotsford Angels.  After jumping out to 7-2 lead, Richmond was able to withstand some hard pushback from the well coached and talented Angels, holding on for a 7-5 victory.  Reid Dawson and Peter Broderick shared the mound work while Dustin McElwain led the offense with a 3-for-3 effort.

Game three, first at Serauxman Stadium for the Chuckers, was against the Vancouver Minor Expos.  Van Minor has been on a role lately and this game proved that out as the upstart Expos obliterated Richmond with a 15-1 win.  The Chuckers now controlled their destiny with a win on Saturday versus the always tough Tri City Inidians.

Richmond led early taking an 8-1 lead into the 5th inning, but a lead is never a lead against a Pawlick-led team, and this was evident as this game played out.  The Indians scored six times in the remaining three innings, making the game a nail biter despite what should have been a comfortable run spread.  Final was 12-7 for Richmond. Once again McElwain swung the hot bat going 4-for-4, while Jonny McGill collected three hits.  Pitching duties were shared among Gabriel Suessenbacher-Fu, Duke Howells and Peter Broderick.

The win ensured a second place finish for Richmond in Pool A, which set up the morning crossover against the Delta Tigers, winners of Pool B.

Delta took the field with Brady Euerby on the hill, which has proven a challenge for Richmond all season.  Euerby threw a gem in the RCBA Queen Victoria Day final, shutting out the Chuckers 3-0.  Richmond countered with their ace, Justin Thorsteinson, and the game was a true pitcher's duel.  Deadlocked at 1-1 in the bottom of the 7th, Delta was able to squeeze a run across the plate for the win in what was an exciting and tension filled ball game.

Although the season ended on a loss, the team had a very successful season winning two tournaments and finishing second in another.  The 2016 Chuckers ran up a 50-win season, becoming only the third Richmond Bantam AAA team (with the 2008 and 2013 squads) to reach that lofty threshold. 

A huge thank you to our amazing parent group and coaching staff, and congratulations to our graduating players.  See you in 2017!