Terriers 15U win Niagara Tournament title
June 20, 2023
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
After dropping their opening game of the Niagara Tournament, the 15U Terriers reeled off three straight victories to bring home the championship.
It's the second straight year a Terriers team has found success in upstate New York as the 17U won the Niagara University Showcase Tournament in 2022.
Head coach Jeff Sharpe was pleased with the way his players came together over the four games and points to an entire team effort as a reason for their success.
"On top of the team at bats, there was a lot of support and encouragement from the bench from the first to the last pitch," Sharpe said.
"Everybody was able to successfully contribute in the wins."
It was a strong offensive performance and Sharpe says the team's plan at the plate was exactly what he's been looking for from his young group.
"I think we averaged over 15 hits per game," he said.
"The players were relentless in their approach at the plate. As it does in baseball, hitting became contagious and we carried it from game to game."
With a busy summer coming up that includes three U.S tournaments, including one at the 16U level, Sharpe hopes the early championship will help his team realize they have what it takes to succeed.
"I saw a big change in the team this weekend and am truly looking forward to this summer," he said.
"I like the fact that they got the taste of winning a championship and I hope that makes them hungry for more. Baseball has so much failure in it that sometimes seeing and feeling success can go a long way mentally. We have the talent and the depth, and now with the knowledge that we can succeed it will truly be an exciting summer."