August 2017 YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region Team of the Month: Ottawa West Twins Little League Baseball Senior Team
Team Members: Robbie Bleich, J.T. Fortin, Christopher Jelley, Jack Lawlor, Ryan Pepper, Heath Gordon-Moore, Ryan McPherson, Stefanos Mellios, Evan Pierce, Joey Bak, Mitch Mazara, Jayson Moss-McEachern, Layton Moss-McEachern, Coaches Clark Lawlor, Manny Mellios & Manager Doug Moss.
About: The Ottawa West Twins were off to a second consecutive appearance in a national final (as of Sportspage press time) thanks to their impressive run at the July 19-26 Canadian Little League Senior Championships in Calgary.
The Twins opened with a 4-1 victory over B.C., then trounced Quebec, Atlantic and Alberta 13-1, 8-2 and 13-3 before twice knocking off host Fish Creek 7-3 (to conclude the round robin) and 12-7 (in the semi-finals) to book their return trip to the national final against B.C.
Ottawa West went undefeated at the earlier July 8-14 Ontario Championships, knocking off the host Orleans Red Sox 6-0 in the final.
Dubbed “the little team that could” when they came within one game of an upset Canadian crown last season in Ottawa, the Twins hail from a small association within Little League Canada’s tiniest district, and reached their heights with a playing roster of just 13.
The Canadian champion plays in the Senior-level World Series July 30-Aug. 5 in Easley, SC.
E-mail editor@sportsottawa.com to nominate your Stars! Please include Athlete or Team’s Name, Player Roster, and why they should be recognized. Courtesy of the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region, the selected Stars of the Month will receive free passes to the Y.