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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 9, 2008 - 33 Angels settle for silver in Classic By Adam Johnston SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER CLASSIC SWING: Sam Morneau of the Oakville bantam tier 1 Angels takes a swing during last weekend's Angels Summer Classic girls' softball tournament at Trafalgar Park. The Angels reached the final before falling 8-6 to Brantford. The Oakville bantam tier 1 Angels were denied the championship at their own Summer Classic girls' softball tournament last weekend, but it wasn't for lack of desire. Case in point was Angels pitcher Sam Morneau, who was struck by a hard line drive in the fifth inning of Sunday's championship game at Trafalgar Park but shook it off to finish the frame. The fifth inning was painful for more than Morneau, however. Brampton scored six runs with two out in the inning, helping the Bobcats to an 8-6 win. Morneau took a 2-0 lead into the top half of the fifth, but allowed Brampton to load the bases and then surrendered a pair of two-run singles, vaulting the Bobcats into a 4-2 lead. A double by Brampton's Logan White scored another two runs to increase the Bobcats' advantage. "I think we just kind of, not fell apart, but just let it down," said Morneau. On the next play, Morneau offered up a pitch to the Bobcats' Taylor Scott, who sent the ball screaming back into the pitcher's abdomen, dropping her to the ground. Morneau, in obvious pain, stayed on the ground for a considerable length of time and appeared to be finished for the rest of the game. "It was a good hit, the one that hit me. There was nothing she could've done (to avoid hitting me)," she said. Morneau eventually got back to her feet and, in a gutsy display, induced the next batter to fly out to end the inning. "I don't like walking out after an injury; I like to keep going," she said. "I wanted to finish that inning, at least." Angels head coach Don McLaughlin wasn't surprised by the toughness of his pitcher. "She got knocked around a bit, but she's a tough kid," he said. "She got back up and she wanted to pitch; these are tough girls." Morneau's perseverance might have inspired the Angels, who loaded the bases the following inning. Bobcats pitcher Natalie Becker walked the next two batters to close Oakville's deficit to 6-4. The next Angels batter, Lauren McLaughlin -- who also took over from Morneau on the mound to finish the game -- ripped a single into left field to count two more runs and even the score at 6-6. "The team has showed resilience all year," said Don McLaughlin. "They never say die." However, the Angels' comeback was shortlived. The Bobcats scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning and held on for the win. Lauren McLaughlin and Alex Saunders accounted for the Angels' first two RBI. The Angels went 4-0 in preliminary-round play to earn the top seed in the playoffs. Their round-robin play included victories over Halton, Scarborough, Brantford and the tier 2 Angels to advance directly to the finals. Oakville continues its busy season next weekend with a tournament in Amherst, New York. The Angels will follow that with an appearance at the National Softball Association World Series in Columbus, Ohio. Both sides at fault, OLA official says Continued from page 31 respect for both of them and what noon. they do for the game. But the govThe Lightning (the only sub- erning body had to make a deci.500 club to qualify for the playoffs, sion." struggling to a 9-11 regular-season Luey pointed out the first-round record) stayed alive with a 9-8 over- series had to be concluded by yestime victory Saturday, then routed terday so that schedules for the the Buzz 15-7 Sunday to tie the conference semifinals can be deterseries and force a decisive game. mined. But, meanwhile, Buzz general Neither GM was thrilled by the manager Ken Gillies and head decision. coach Stu Brown had "We're definitely not caught wind that the "Quite frankly, pleased. We felt there Akwesasne arena might our perspective is should have been a fifth have in fact been avail- the Oakville team game at home," said able for June 29 -- Gillies. "We wanted to is surprised by the meaning the series go (to Akwesasne to could have started in calibre of play start the series) northern New York after we've brought to because we wanted the all. the floor." three games (at The Buzz refused to home)." play Game 5 Monday, Akwesasne GM Morris said, "We will opting to return home Lewis Morris comply but are very and let the league decide upset that (commiswhere the game would be played. sioner Dave Vernon, who is out To the dismay of both teams, the west attending the under-19 field OLA ruled that Game 5 be played nationals) hasn't at least consulted last night in Bowmanville. or talked to us before he made this "From my point of view, I'm of decision. We have a lot of angry the opinion both parties are at fans here who (were) calling all day fault," said OLA junior B chairper- (Monday) wondering what is going son Doug Luey. "Oakville for agree- on and expecting to see a very good ing to a schedule that included a lacrosse game here." Monday game, and Akwesasne for The general managers had consaying floor time wasn't available flicting views on how the dispute that was available. began. "I know both Ken and Lewis "We really wanted to play the Morris (the Akwesasne general first two games up there. We wantmanager), and I have a lot of ed to come up there first because we wanted the three (home) games," said Gillies. "I've been involved with the team before when they've played Akwesasne in the playoffs, and it's a very difficult rink to win in. That is why we really wanted to make sure we had the home court advantage." Morris said the Lightning offered to begin the series at home on Friday and Saturday (June 27/28, rather than the June 28/29 dates the league had suggested) and the Buzz declined. "We had to start (the series) in a couple days, so Oakville decided because of the uncertainty we should go to them (for the first two games)," Morris said. "Once that happened, we dropped any negotiations with our arena and started concentrating on getting ready to go (to Oakville for Games 1 and 2)." Morris suggested the Buzz might not have even been concerned about the possibility of a fifth game, which could have made Oakville more agreeable to starting the series at home. "Quite frankly, our perspective is the Oakville team is surprised by the calibre of play we've brought to the floor. They thought they were going to eliminate us. Based on our team records and seedings, they should have handled us pretty easily," he said. "We surprised ourselves and definitely surprised them."