LDSS won the first Essex County high school baseball title in 1994

By C. Scott Holland

In the spring of 1994, the Essex County Secondary School Athletic Association formed their first baseball league. That inaugural season of baseball saw the Leamington Lions team dominate, thanks to its strong pitching, which was showcased in nearly every game.

That pitching was the key for LDSS in reaching the semi-final vs Essex and winning the championship over Leamington’s Cardinal Carter squad. Getting timely hits also aided in the Lions capturing the ECSSAA title.

Relief pitcher Jason Szorvas showed his abilities when he came on in relief of starter Dave Neufeld in the semi-final against Essex. For two-and-two-thirds innings, Szorvas shut down the Red Raiders to preserve the victory.

“He really has not had a bad outing all season,” said LDSS manager Jim McKeen of Szorvas. “He has responded to the challenge of men on base.”

RYAN DERKSEN

The Lions scored four runs in the third and another three in the fifth. Mike Alton and Jason Cornies supplied big hits.

Cornies had had a spectacular at-bat when he fouled off a couple of two-strike pitches before driving a hit to right field behind the runners to score Alton and Ryan Derksen.

“Cornies has been a leader all season and has thrown out quite a few runners trying to steal, plus he’s shown a deep intensity to win,” added McKeen.

After winning the semi-final, the the Lions were pitted against cross-town rival Cardinal Carter, in a game played at Wheatley.

The LDSS Athlete of the Year winner, Ryan Derksen, went the distance and won 6-2.

“I did not have my best stuff today,” said Derksen after the game.

But despite his thoughts on his outing, the mixture of fastballs, sliders and curve balls were effective enough to allow only two runs, eight hits and two walks, while striking out eight.

The members of that LDSS team were: GM/coach Jim McKeen Players: Jason Cornies, Dave Neufeld, Chris Geddes, Randy Crerar, Ryan Derksen, Jason Szorvas, Mike Alton, Darryl Manley, Kevin Cook, Scott Augustine, Darryl Goodison, and Dave Cornies.