Editor’s Note:
Cap tip Fitzroy Fastball @Fitzroyfastball
Nice article in the Pembroke Observer by Jamie Bramburger, about a couple of of Canada’s rising young stars, Joran Graham and catcher Joseph Mick. I first saw Graham during the ISC WT and more notably, while watching the 2021 Euro Cup from Prague, Czech Republic. Graham had an outstanding tournament both pitching and at the plate, helping to lead the Euro Cup champions, Denmark’s Hørsholm Von Holmbäck Hurricanes. One of his big moments came in a playoff game at this year’s European Super Cup:
Joran Graham (Micksburg Twins GOFL) was the winning pitcher in the playoff game, throwing a three hit shutout, striking out 11, and allowing only one walk in the 6-0 victory. Graham also hit a three run homer in the first inning. (See the home run in YouTube Video below)
Teammate Joe Mick, is a catcher for the Napanee Express, who also plays for the Micksburg Twins of the Greater Ottawa Men’s Fastball League. The two players, as they say are “livin’ the dream”.
Original Article in Pembroke Observer, by Jamie Bramburger @brambuj (TV Play-by-play voice of Pembroke Jr. A Lumber Kings)
Two Micksburg Twins’ players capture gold medals
It was an incredible two weeks for two members of the Micksburg Twins Men’s Fastball team. Both players have won at the highest level of the sport – catcher Joseph Mick earning three gold medals on Canadian soil and pitcher Joran Graham winning a European championship in the Czech Republic.
In Prague, Graham was a force the entire tournament as he led the Horsholm Hurricanes to victory at the European Super Cup Fastball tournament. The Danish squad won all seven games at the tournament and rode the pitching and hitting of Graham to victory, hammering Zraloci Ledenice of the host country 10-2 in the championship game.
In the final, Graham struck out 11 batters in a game called after five innings because of the commanding lead held by the Hurricanes. In an earlier game in the tournament, Graham connected for a mammoth three-run homerun against the Chomutov Beavers, also of the Czech Republic. He also threw a three-hitter in a 5-1 win over the Czech Under-23 team.
“Having the opportunity to play in Prague was great,” said Graham, who made his first trip outside of North America. “I was very impressed with the fields and facilities and my team had no trouble putting runs on the board early which helped me a lot in terms of pitching. It was a great week and a memorable experience.”
The strong pitching performance and quality at-bats are a boost for Graham as he tries to nail down one of four remaining spots on the Canadian National Men’s Fastball roster. Graham has been on a whirlwind global tour for the past three weeks. Before playing in the Czech Republic, he was in Eldridge, Iowa, where he suited up with a Southern Ontario squad, the Bear Creek Express at the International Softball Congress World Championships.
Competing against some of the top teams in the world, the Express dropped two of its three round robin games and failed to advance to the playoff round. The Express will now try to regroup and hopes that Graham can build on his performance in Europe as the team moves on to Saskatoon for the Rawlings Grand Slam Canadian Fastball Championship.
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