The Austin Jaycees 12 and under baseball team finished their season by capturing the Thunder Bay International Tournament the last weekend in July. The All-Stars defended their title from 2007 by outscoring their opponents 72-7 in the eight-team tournament.

In game one Zach Wessels pitched a gem, in what would prove to be the Jaycees toughest opponent the Fort William Americans, and they came away with a 4-1 victory. Leading hitters were Jordan Hart 2-for-3 and Lukas Anderson was 1-for-2 with a two run home run.

“This was a very hard fought game. We played very well defensively. Lukas hit a no doubter homerun that lifted our team,” Coach Wiechmann said.

In game two the All-Stars faced Westfort and beat them handily 14-0 in four innings.

Lukas Anderson got the win on the hill pitching two of the four innings. Trent Reinartz hit a two run home run, while Sam Swenson, Bret Lukes, Skylar Meyer, Jason Stoulil and Jonah Rohne all collected two hits to help pace Austin’s hitting attack.

In game three the Jaycees throttled Current River 23-0.

Jonah Rohne pitched four shutout innings striking out 8 of 12 batters. He struck out the side twice and was one hit away from a perfect game.

“Jonah pitched an awesome game. His fastball and changeup were working great,” Coach Wiechmann said.

Leading hitters for the club were CJ Nord, Skylar Meyer and Jordan Hart who all went 3-for-3. Kody Phillips launched a homer in the first inning and Bret Lukes crushed a grand slam in the third inning. Zach Wessels and Adam Nibaur each collected two hits in Austin’s 20 hit attack.

Game four found the Jaycees playing their brothers and friends from Austin Local 9. This was a tight game for several innings but the Jaycees opened it up in the fifth inning scoring eight runs and ending the game with a 13-1 win. Kody Phillips got the win on the mound pitching all five innings. Lukas Anderson went 3-for-4 with a triple, while Zach Wessels went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the third inning.

Game five saw more dominance by the Jaycees as they defeated Port Arthur Nationals 14-0 in the title game. Zach Wessels pitched the entire four innings to record the victory. He struck out six and allowed only one hit as no batter reached second base for the Nationals.

“We played solid defense and gave Zach the defensive support he expected,” Wiechmann said.

Lukas Anderson paced the Jaycees at the plate going 3-for-3. Adam Nibaur, Josh Anderson, Jason Stoulil, CJ Nord, Sam Swenson and Wessels each collected two hits apiece.

Awards were given at the All-Stars banquet at Holiday Park Golf Course last Friday. Outstanding outfielder and infielder awards went to Sam Swenson, Jordan Hart, Zach Wessels, CJ Nord, Jonah

Rohne, and Jason Stoulil. Pitching awards went to the five pitchers that helped Austin achieve a third place finish at state. They were Zach Wessels, Kody Phillips, Jonah Rohne, Lukas Anderson and Adam Nibaur.

The best performance at State went to Jonah Rohne and Josh Anderson. Hottest Hitter “On fire award” to the person ending the season with the best bat went to Trent Reinartz. The most improved player went to CJ Nord. Iron Man awards went to Jordan Heart and Skylar Meyer. The best catcher award went to Skylar Meyer and Trent Reinartz. Other awards went to the best defensive player Gold Glove Lukas Anderson, Silver Bat for the best hitter Zach Wessels and MVP honors were shared by Wessels and Lukas Anderson. The prestigious “Lefty” Kelly Award for the player that best exemplifies the player Lefty Kelly looked for went to Bret Lukes.

“Bret is always positive and loves to play. He gave 100% in every game and practice. He was a great teammate and friend to all the players on the team,” Wiechmann said of Lukes.

Announced this week were next years Captains. They are Jordan Hart and Sam Swenson.

Wiechmann said of his captains “both are leaders on and off the field. They will do a great job.”