Valley East Jr Voyageurs' head coach Carter McDavid really, really wanted a win in the opening game of the 2024 U11 "D" Ontario Baseball Association Provincial Championships in Sudbury - and he was willing to ride his ace pitcher to get it.
With starter Daviy Dale giving her team five strong innings on the mound (nine strikeouts; 53 strikes on 85 pitches), the Jr Voyageurs built up a 9-1 lead, holding on for a 9-6 win over the Saugeen Shores Sting Friday afternoon at the Terry Fox Sports Complex.
Brady Ceaser came on in relief once Dale hit her maximum pitch count (85), with Rory McDavid earning the final strikeout of the game, leaving the tying run at the plate.
The teams traded runs in the early going, with Brady Ceaser breaking the ice with a run scoring double in the bottom of the first for the home side.
A double by Jacob Roy that plated a pair was a big part of a three-run second inning, giving Valley East a 4-1 lead, an advantage that they increased by one more run an inning later when Jack Stone tagged and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Things got interesting in the final two innings, though the Jr Voyageurs did not need their final at-bat to walk off triumphant. The victory was particularly important in this nine-team tournament as it allows to host team to enjoy a second round bye, now scheduled for their second game at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday at Terry Fox.
As for the young lady on the mound who never seems to lose her cool (or her smile), Daviy Dale noted that focusing on the details of her own pitching is a huge key to her success.
"A ton of things can happen in baseball," explained the 12 year old who also excels in hockey and nordic skiing. "The ump might make a bad call and you've got to shake it off it the call doesn't go your way."
"You can't control that," added Dale. "I just throw my pitches and let the game roll out."
And just as she has done pretty much all summer long, the youngest of three children in the family located those pitches far better than most other hurlers of the same age in the province.
"My two seams (fastball) is my best pitch - and sometimes I will throw my four seams, but nothing like a change-up or a slider," said Dale, named the game MVP for the winning side on Friday.
"My four seam is straight where the two seam has a little bit of movement on it."
While her coaches and teammates were thrilled with her outing, it was even more important that Daviy Dale walk off more than a little pleased with her effort.
"I feel like I was getting balls first, sometimes, and was still able to come back with strikes," she said. "The second inning was a little tough - I walked a couple of batters - but then the third, fourth and fifth, I got better."
The win on the mound was a nice addition to a day in which she and her family celebrated the birthday of her older brother (Grady) in style.
"I got up and made pancakes for us," said Dale with a grin. "My dad had his special pancake recipe and now I know it by heart. Chocolate chips are a must - and sometimes we will put blueberries in it - but this morning, we went classic."
The remainder of the Valley East Jr Voyageurs' roster that are appearing in provincials at home this weekend features Max Gould, Meric Whissell, Issac Mussen, Ava Wicklander, Reid Pitre, Trent Morris, Nate Didone and Caleb Seguin.
In other game action on Friday, the Thorold Athletics doubled the Bleinheim Bees 6-3 (MVPs: Thorold = Liam Nauta; Bleinheim = Kane VanDe Velde), the Clinton Mustangs stomped the Welland Junior Jackfish 13-4 (MVPs: Clinton = Reid Carnochan; Welland = Luka Gonyou) and the Wallaceburg Warriors trimmed the Kincardine Cardinals 5-3 (MVPs: Wallaceburg = Nolan Blair; Kincardine = Jace Lyon).
Action continues Saturday and Sunday - with an outside chance a Monday game might be required.
