Royals Report – issued Oct 4, 2005

By Tim Ferrigan

The Campbell's Bay Royals season ended on Tuesday September 27 in game 6 of the UOVMFL finals against the Micksburg Twins. 

Twins 5

Royals 2

Winner Corey Costello - Loser Lenny Burger

HR. Micksburg - Brent McIntyre

Royals starter Lenny Burger put in another near flawless performance, but the Royals made two costly errors that cost them a total of four runs, as Burger gave up only one earned run on the home run to McIntyre.  The Royals held a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning, but a misplayed fly ball in right field with two out scored two for the Twins and turned the momentum to the Twins.  After the home run, the Royals scored again to get back to 3-2, but another costly error in the top of the seventh put the game out of reach scoring two more for the 5-2 lead.  Costello would go on to shut down the Royals in the bottom of the seventh and the Micksburg Twins won the Upper Ottawa Valley League for the seventh time in the last eight years.

Season in Review

The Campbell's Bay Royals 2005 season was its best season to date, ending the season with a 7-4-1 regular season record, and scoring big wins over teams like Fitzroy Harbour, Micksburg Twins and Kanata Team Easton.  Veteran Lenny Burger lead the Royals having an incredible season, giving them a chance to win every night.  The Royals had a chance to take first place overall in the last game of the season in Micksburg, but ended up losing 1-0 in a very controversial decision, pushing them to second place for the year.

In round 1 of the playoffs, the Royals avenged the previous years defeat to Shawville, sweeping them 3 games to 0.  Strong pitching and dominant hitting put the Royals into the finals where the defending champ Micksburg Twins awaited.

As the clear underdog, the Royals went into the finals with nothing to lose.  The Royals quickly slipped behind two games to zero, but in game 3, down 2-0 in the final inning, Royals pitcher Lenny Burger hit a two run double off of Costello to tie the game.  The Royals went on to win the game, and tied the series at 2 games apiece a few days later with starter Corey Costello sidelined with a knee injury.  The Twins would win game 5 with Costello throwing another gem.  Game 6 was back and forth, but errors would put the game out of reach for the Royals, and the Twins would go on to win the league championship for the second straight year, and the seventh time in eight years.

Next season, the Royals have almost the entire roster returning, and look to take the next step, and go all the way.  They will be known as the PONTIAC ROYALS, and have plans to spread out their home games, playing in Bryson, Quyon, and Chapeau to give the league some county wide exposure.