The Cambrian Mazda Midget Black Sox used a pair of stellar pitching performances in a sweep of the Thunder Bay Slam at Sinclair Yards on the weekend.
Starting pitchers Kai Tuomi and Steve Christian turned in performances the Black Sox, the Soo Minor Baseball Association's midget select team, hope can carry them through the season.
In the opening game, Tuomi pitched six innings giving up a run on two hits while striking out 13 and walking one in a 9-4 Black Sox win. Christian allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings of work in a 7-6 win to close the exhibition series.
"Thunder Bay has a good team and this was a good test for us," said Black Sox head coach Mike Lebel. "Our top two pitchers came through with flying colours being this early in the season. We are encouraged by our performance and hope to build on it."
Sunday's rainstorm drowned another pair of games scheduled between the two teams.
Catcher Tyler Rooley turned in a fine offensive performance on the weekend. In the opener, Rooley broke open a 2-1 game with a two run bases loaded double to spark a five run second inning for the Black Sox.
In the second game, Rooley smacked a pair of singles to drive in three runs. Vince Scornaienchi had a single and two RBIs while Steve Ayotte added a double.
The Black Sox, which improved to 3-4 overall on the season, will hit the road next weekend to play Hillman High School, near Alpena, Michigan. Hillman is the state's top ranked team in class D baseball.