The Muskoka Bantam Hornets went undefeated this past weekend (5-0) to win the 10 Annual Muskoka Cup. The 16 team tournament featured teams from throughout Ontario, all converging to battle it out in Huntsville and Bracebridge for the coveted crown.  See full story in the News Section.

The Hornets got off to a hot start Friday night when they played host to the Vaughn Vikings. Shortstop turned pitcher Zachary Boese allowed just one hit over 4 innings on the mound as the Hornets played solid defence, with some timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning to start the tournament with a convincing 14-3 win over the Vikings.

The Bantams had a sluggish start Saturday morning, but thanks to some clutch pitching by Wilson Babineau, Bradley Adams, and Winston Young the team was able to come away with a 8-5 win over the Orillia Royals.   

The Hornets faced a scrappy team from Waterdown in its final round robin game with the winner representing the aptly-named “HOLM Division” in the ‘A’ playdowns. The Hornets sent its gritty second year Bantam pitcher, Jacob White, to the mound in hopes he could cool the Waterdown bats. White was up to the task, throwing a complete game gem as the Hornets picked up an emotionally charged 7-3 win over Waterdown to capture the division.

The Hornets arrived at McCulley diamonds at 7:30am Sunday morning grateful for an opportunity to play in championship Sunday. In Sunday's semi-final match up, the Hornets were to face the Aurora Kings, winners of the Payne Division.  The Hornets called on its lanky left-hander Bradley Adams for this must win game. Adams made quick work of Aurora, throwing a complete game one-hitter on 60 pitches as the Hornets stung Aurora 13-0. The Hornets played one of its best defensive games of the season, led by Charlie Maslin who put on an impressive display in the outfield throughout the day.

Muskoka matched up against a very skilled team from Mississauga in the finals. Both teams entered the championship game with perfect 4-0 records in the tournament. The Hornet coaching staff sent Adams back out on the mound to start the final – Adams threw his remaining 30 pitches allowing only one hit over 2 and 2/3 innings. The Hornets then turned to Zachary Boese, Boese pitched the final 4 and 1/3 innings- allowing no hits. First year Zach Patterson set the offensive tone early, with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt that started a rally. The Hornets finished off the Mississauga Majors in an hour and 35 minutes and walked away with the championship by a score of 4-0.

The Hornet coaching staff could not be happier with the effort the boys put in throughout the weekend and it was a true total team effort. Riley Belanger played Gold Glove calibre defence at 2nd base throughout the weekend and Marcus Kerr showed off his cannon of an arm from CF throwing a runner out trying to stretch an extra base. Hayden Pedwell has proven himself as a legitimate catcher, with a ever improving arm behind the plate. Wilson Babineau has quietly become an exceptional defensive 1st basemen. The list could go on and on!  The Hornet coaching staff would also like to give a special thanks to our Affiliate Player, Mark Holm, for playing with the team this weekend, and contributing in every facet of the game.

Congrats to all the winning teams for this year's Muskoka Cup and we hope to defend our crown in 2019