White Rock Tritons 13U AAA Team Celebrates Strong Season

The White Rock Tritons 13U AAA baseball team concluded an impressive season, achieving provincial gold and competing in the Canadian Nationals held in Woodstock, Ontario, last weekend. While the Tritons secured a seventh-place finish at the nationals, the journey from January tryouts to August championships showcased their potential and determination.

Throughout the regular season, the team excelled, finishing with a record of 30-6 against formidable opponents across British Columbia. Coach Michael Carriere, who also serves as president of the White Rock South Surrey Baseball Association, highlighted the team’s resilience and depth. In an email, he remarked, “This group showed resilience and grit in close contests, posting a remarkable 12-4 record in games decided by two runs or fewer.”

Key players stepped up throughout the season, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Spencer Houle led the Tritons with five home runs and 48 RBIs, while shortstop Sam Dieleman boasted a fielding percentage of .933 and turned a team-best 10 double plays. Additionally, third baseman Brendan Bourgoin showcased his speed, leading the team with 25 stolen bases and 52 hard-hit balls.

Despite their strong provincial performance, the Tritons faced a challenging start at the championships, suffering a 9-2 loss to a resilient Victoria team, another representative from British Columbia. This setback placed them in a must-win situation for the remainder of the tournament, but the team’s depth and determination shone through.

In their second game against Penticton, the Tritons called upon ace pitcher Jude Carriere, who delivered an outstanding performance with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing just five hits while striking out nine batters. Austin Carpenter also made a significant contribution, earning a three-inning save and leading the team with three hits in that game.

The Tritons continued to build momentum, defeating Ridge Meadows in their next round-robin match. A pivotal moment came when catcher Levi Bittner showcased his defensive skills by picking off baserunners. The team capitalized on this momentum, scoring four runs in the fourth inning, aided by an impactful double from Eli Dueck.

The victory over Ridge Meadows set up a critical do-or-die matchup against a strong Vancouver team. The Tritons maintained a clean defense, and Karsten Schnitzer played a key role by getting hit by a pitch twice, ultimately breaking the game open with a late double that scored two runs. The Tritons secured a 9-6 victory, thanks in part to the solid pitching from Carter Savage, who pitched 5.0 innings and struck out four batters.

In the provincial semi-finals, the team faced tough competition from Kelowna. The Tritons struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning with timely hits from Savage, Schnitzer, and Ryder Shuto. Carpenter then added a solo home run, helping the team to a total of five runs. The Tritons’ defense held strong, allowing only two runs, with Noah Carriere closing out the game with 3 innings pitched, yielding just one run and striking out four batters. This victory clinched a spot for the Tritons in the Canadian 13U AAA Nationals.

The season’s achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of the entire team, with every player contributing to their success. As they look to the future, the Tritons’ journey serves as a testament to their resilience and teamwork, setting the stage for another exciting season ahead.