Thunder strikes at provincials

Mario Prusina
Times Editor

 

The Strathmore Thunder are champions once again after winning the U21B Provincial Championship on July 17 in Stony Plain.
After going 4-0 in the round robin portion of the tournament, the 2015 champions defeated Irma 7-5 to claim this year’s title.
“[All] weekend – in all aspects of team play and player support to each other – was outstanding,” said coach Lanky Johnson. “We did set the tone over the first day and a half, and at times became a little too relaxed. (However) pitching and defence were very steady … and when we sat back, we had a couple players come through big on the bats to ignite the team all over.”
Through the five weekend games, the Thunder outscored their opponents – the Park Adrenaline and the Irma Tigers – 43-8.
The team will now advance to the Western Canadian Championship in Unity, Sask. from July 29 to August 1.
“It all goes up another level of calibre of play at the Westerns,” said Johnson. “The team would like nothing better than to [improve on] last year’s final placement of fourth at Westerns in Surrey, B.C. and bring home a medal.”