Wins were tough to come by for the Abbotsford Cardinals in the early portion of the B.C. Premier Baseball League season, but the local under-18 squad scored some big-time momentum by winning the B.C.'s Best tournament in Parksville.
The Cardinals had never before claimed the title at the prestigious event, which runs each year on the Victoria Day long weekend and was marking its 18th anniversary.
But the Cards went a perfect 6-0, beating the Nanaimo Pirates, White Rock Tritons and a trio of Victoria teams – the BCPBL's Mariners and Eagles, and the AAA midget selects – en route to the final.
They tangled with the Okotoks (Alta.) Dawgs in the title game, and prevailed 1-0 behind a dominant complete-game pitching performance from Daniel Koo. Adam Revel drove in the game's lone run.
"It was enjoyable to sit back and watch them play like I know there capable of," Cardinals head coach Corey Eckstein said.
"Our pitchers worked ahead in counts all weekend, defence picked it clean, and our hitters one through nine stepped up in crucial situations.
"I'm really happy for this group of players. They deserve this recognition."
The Cards' BCPBL record is 7-10, but they're now on an eight-game win streak overall and hope to carry that momentum back to league play.
"We're bonding as a team, I think," outfielder Tyler Krahn said, reflecting on his team's turnaround at the Parksville tourney. "The whole tournament was a team effort, and it was a lot of fun to be a part of."
• The Cardinals play the Langley Blaze on the road on Tuesday, and host the Fraser Valley Chiefs at DeLair Park in a Sunday doubleheader (12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.).
The Abbotsford Cardinals celebrate after beating the Okotoks Dawgs in the final of the B.C.'s Best tourney in Parksville.