The Mount Forest Mites set the tone of their WOAA B division finals, with a 12-2 opening effort against Walkerton on Sunday evening.
After defeating Durham to qualify for the last berth in the season finals, the Mites hosted Walkerton and quickly dispatched with the niceties. Hurler Jacob Reeves struck out the first batter, and would send six more batters back to the bench throughout the game.
The second out of the inning was a flying sizzler straight to the glove of Alex Iles at short, and the hosts were back to the dugout to get offensive after Nole Black grabbed a pop fly ball in the Walkerton bench.
Iles, Tyler Duncan and Corbin Peter all scored in their first attempts at bat, giving the hosts a 3-0 edge. Walkerton was hopeful after their first batter found first at the top of the second, but was quickly discouraged as the next three batters were either struck out or forced out on base. Mount Forest couldn't advance in the bottom of the inning, and returned to their defensive play.
The guests were finally able to get on the scoreboard with a trick rundown from first to second, allowing a third-base runner to get home. Iles got the team back on track with an impressive double play, followed by Reeves shooting down the following batter.
Reeves then counted at his next at-bat, followed by Black, and Mike Mason was stranded before the inning changed. Walkerton's time at the plate was short lived, as Mount Forest's defence again locked down their attempts, and it was three up three down. In the bottom of the fourth, Brett Stewart exhibited a discerning eye and earned a base on balls, and then moved around the diamond with efforts by Iles, Duncan, Reeves and Black.
With the game sitting 10-1 in the top of the fifth, Walkerton's first batter would be the last player to score in the game. Reeves parked one and the combined outfield/infield dispatched the remaining two opportunities.
While some teams would be satisfied to rest on their lead, Mount Forest continued the barrage, as Peter continued his streak and launched a missile to centerfield for a solo home run. Mason then earned a walk and would advance to home, thanks to an efforts from Kaleb Rice.
The final tally was 12-2 as Mount Forest anticipates a trip to Walkerton that could result in the 2010 championship.