Newfoundland softballers SHINE
Five Newfoundlanders helped Canada claim gold at the VIII Men’s Pan American Softball Championship in Medellin, Colombia in September.
Jason Hill and Ryan Boland from St. John’s, Stephen Mullaley of Freshwater, Placentia and Harbour Main’s Blair Ezekiel were part of the Canadian roster, as was Petty Harbour native Sean Whitten, who now calls Calgary home.
The Canadians posted a 7-2 round-robin record, fell to Venezuela in the first vs. second playoff game, then defeated Argentina to earn a berth in the championship game, where they met Venezuela again, winning 4-1 this time.
The win guaranteed Canada a spot at the International Softball Federation world championships in March in Auckland, New Zealand.
Hill, Boland, Mullaley, and Whitten were named to Canada’s roster for worlds, along with Harbour Main natives Brad Ezekiel and Sean Cleary, who were also part of Softball Canada’s 40-man national senior men’s team selection pool.