Drive alive for Junior Barons

By Fred Groves

LEAMINGTON — The ‘Drive for Five’ is alive for the Leamington Barons.

Sunday afternoon, July 25, in Essex, the Barons won their fifth straight Essex County Senior Baseball League game. The victory is also another step towards Leamington’s quest for a fifth consecutive provincial title.

“My players are humble guys. They are in a senior league and they know to be respectful,” says Barons coach Chris Lamotte.

Leamington is the host of the Ontario Baseball Association Junior ‘A’ championship tournament on August 6-8 and playing in a senior loop, albeit in a shortened season, helps the Barons prepare to defend their crown.

When asked, Lamotte is quick to admit that the Barons’ pitching is the team’s strength and has confidence in lefty Cat Morin who was in fine form against Essex on Sunday, as well as righthanders Lucas Lamotte, Kameron Wall, Jonathon Fehr, Mike Wiebe and Billy Friesen.

Leamington Junior Barons’ pitcher Cat Morin delivers a pitch against Essex on Sunday afternoon. The Barons won 8-7.

Fred Groves photo

“I’ve got guys pitching against the best (senior) teams. Every game has to be challenging.”

An added bonus, and a big one, for the Barons is that they have lefty veteran Will Froese. A standout on the hill for the Woodslee Orioles, who, while not eligible to play when Leamington goes to the OBA event, has brought a lot of leadership to the team that is expected to move up to senior next season.

“Most of my guys are last-year juniors,” says Lamotte.

It has been an extremely limited season for all teams and in some aspects of the game, it is noticeable.

“It’s the pitching that I have to make sure they are ready. Batting you can do in the gym and we have been doing that for the last year-and-a-half,” says Lamotte.

On Sunday, Morin worked five innings, striking out seven before giving way to Mike Wiebe who fanned a pair in the 8-7 win over Essex.

Tuesday the Barons were on the road to face the Walker Homesites Juniors and Friday night will host the Harrow Seniors at 7 p.m.