Micksburg repeats as Carp Shootout champs
By Jake Davies - West Carleton Online
CARP – After two years of the Carp Shootout fastball tournament, there is still only one name on the championship trophy.
Once again, the big bats of tiny Micksburg have claimed the Carp Shootout fastball tournament held at the Carp Fairgrounds this past weekend (July 19 to 21) successfully defending the championship they won in the inaugural tournament in 2023.
The Micksburg Twins played the first game of the tournament Friday evening against the Kingstion Axement, and then played the last game of the tournament against them, a 5-2 win securing the tournament championship. The Twins’ Joran Graham was named tournament most valuable player.
Graham cemented the MVP, by pitching in the championship game as well as getting a run batted in. The Twins’ Jared Steege also hit a grand slam home run in the third earning the comeback win after being down 2-0 to Kingston after two innings.
The Twins got to the final game by defeating the home team Ottawa Valley Grains 1-0 in the semi finals. Graham also pitched that game striking out 12.
The Axemen made it to the finals by defeating the Novoa Scotia East Hants Mastadons 5-3 on the back of a two-run home run from Kristian Knapp.
Other teams playing in the tournament not yet mentioned include Equipe Quebec, Napanee Express U17, Napanee Express U20 and Ottawa Los Caballos.
The tournament enjoyed great weather much of the weekend with some rain Saturday night delaying some games. Organizers were pleased with the turnout of fans as well, and West Carleton Online will attempt to speak to organizers later this week.
There will be two other major fastball tournaments in Carp this summer.
The U20 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship will be held Aug. 20 to 25, with nine teams participating from across Canada. The third tournament will be a Women’s University National Championship which will be hosted by the Ottawa University Gee-Gees with university teams from across Canada participating. This tournament will be on Thanksgiving weekend.
