June 24, 2021

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

When they decide to play ball in Newfoundland and Labrador, they honour the past the way they do at Yankee Stadium.

The first ceremonial pitch was thrown out by Jack Janes as the St. John’s Amateur Association began its 2021 season on Saturday June 12 at St. Pat’s Ball Park in St. John’s.

Janes played with the 1947 Holy Cross Crusaders, the winners of the very first St. John’s senior championship, threw out the first pitch to Peter Cornick of the defending champion Shamrocks.

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First game in other provinces

PLAY BALL I: Coffin continues to drive Chevies as PEI takes field first

PLAY BALL II: Cloverdale first in BC, Coquitlam scores sweep, Deagle does deep

PLAY BALL III: Prairie Pirates had no Chantze against Price, Sask5 Giants

PLAY BALL IV: New Brunswick underway as Mudcats, Alpines, Fisher Cats, Cardinals win

PLAY BALL V: 75th season kicks off at St. Pat’s Ball Park in St. John’s

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After Janes threw his strike the OMT Shamrocks scored an 8-1 over RMM Gonzaga Vikings in a rematch of the last year’s league championship final. And so the 75th anniversary season was underway. Scott Goosney continued to throw strikes all the way to the victory, according to Saltwire.

Goosney struck out nine, didn’t allow a walk and scattered six hits in his complete game for the Shamrocks. Dan Connors took the loss allowing five runs -- zero earned runs -- in four innings on five hits and a walk, while striking out five.

Last year, Shamrocks won their fifth straight league championship by beating the Vikings in a five-game final.

Mike Dyke, Parker Gulliver and Stockley had two hits for the defending champs.

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The Feildians blanked the Metro Property Management Knights 6-0 at Smallwood Field in Mount Pearl, in the second game of the day.

Alex Walsh allowed five hits and struck out five in six innings. Colin Hunt was charged with the loss. Daniel Rice and John Blackmore had two hits each for Feildians. Rice drove in three runs.

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The Mr. Lube Storm was well oiled to beat Holy Cross Trinity Pub 5-4 at St. Pat’s in the third game of the day.

Leading the Storm at the plate was Steven Trickett, who had two hits, including a home run and knocked in three runs. Reliever Isaac Doyle pitched four innings allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk. He struck out one to earn the win.

Steve Crouse had two base hits and collected two RBIs for Holy Cross, while Riley King was charged with the loss.

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The next day the St. John’s intermediate league began with some teams moving to 1-0 … and others to 0-1:

_ The H.J. Bartlett Generals beat the Little Caesars Storm 10-7.

_ Holy Cross knocked off the Shamrocks 7-1.

_ The Islanders, a new entry in the eight-team league, took down the Royal LePage Property Consultants Feildians 5-2.

_ The Knights beat the Vikings 16-10.