Black Sox set to host Coca Cola Classic

The Soo Cambrian Mazda Midget Black Sox are set to host the annual Coca Cola Classic Invitational Baseball Tournament this weekend at Sinclair Yards.

Five teams, including four from Michigan, will play a round robin schedule with the top two teams advancing into Sunday afternoon's 2 p.m. championship game.

The tournament begins on Friday with the host Black Sox playing a twin bill. The locals open against Petosky at 3:30 p.m. and follow with a game against Gladwin at 6 p.m.

Black Sox veteran head coach Mike Lebel expects to see some strong competition from the American teams.

Aside from the Petosky Indians, who the Black Sox play in the Great Lakes Baseball League, other teams competing include the defending champions from Gladwin, Marquette and Alpena.

If nothing else, Lebel is looking forward to just getting some games to play in. The Black Sox have already lost eight games to the elements.

Despite entering the tournament with an 0-6 record in exhibition play against Michigan high school opponents, Lebel is confident that this year's squad will be a competitive group all summer.

"Our record isn't flattering but we have played against high school teams who already have 20 games under their belts.

"The major factor is that we've battled the weather and lost games to that so we are behind where we want to be right now," said Lebel.

Back leading the Sox is talented pitching ace Kai Tuomi, who just completed a spectacular freshmen season in NCAA Division I play with the University of Evansville Purple Aces in Indiana.

This spring in Evansville, Tuomi posted a 3-1 record with a 4.84 earned-run-average in 21 games. Tuomi made four starts, pitched a complete game and recorded a save. In 57.2 innings of work, Tuomi gave up 55 hits and 31 earned runs.

"He is going to be the ace of our staff and he will provide us with that veteran leadership," said Lebel. "With Kai and other guys that we have here, I'm expecting better things this year with the pitching that we have."

Lebel's pitching staff includes those making the jump to the midget level from the provincial champion Bantam Select team. Tyler Binkley, J.J. Bergamin, the recent OFSAA gold medalist in Javelin, and Kyle Sayers all look to make an immediate impact with the team.

The Black Sox are also excited with the addition of Timmins product Ryan Plante to the roster this season. Plante is a middle infielder who will also see some work on the mound.

Lebel is looking for his team to develop over the course of the season and peak when the club hosts the Ontario Baseball Association Midget A Championships August 27-29, which was recently awarded to the city.

For now, the Black Sox will enjoy some much needed work on their own turf.

"Aside from Kai, who is coming out of the college season in top shape, I don't think we will be able to go any great distance with any of our pitchers right now because our arms just aren't strong enough," said Lebel.

*** TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

(All games to be played on E field)

Friday, June 11

3:30 p.m. -- Soo vs. Petosky 6:00 p.m. -- Soo vs. Gladwin 8:30 p.m. -- Alpena vs. Marquette

Saturday, June 12

9:00 a.m. -- Soo vs. Marquette 11:30 a.m. -- Alpena vs. Petosky 2:00 p.m. -- Alpena vs. Soo 4:30 p.m. -- Gladwin vs. Petosky 7:00 p.m. -- Marquette vs. Gladwin

Sunday, June 13

9:00 a.m. -- Alpena vs. Gladwin 11:30 a.m. -- Marquette vs. Petosky 2:00 p.m. -- CHAMPIONSHIP (1st vs. 2nd)

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