Petit-de-Grat Red Caps welcome top under-18 AA baseball teams to Cape Breton for Atlantic championship

The Petit-de-Grat Red Caps will host the Atlantic Under-18 AA Baseball Championship this weekend at Petit-de-Grat Field in Petit-de-Grat. Shown are members of the team, front row, from left, Luke MacDonald, Blaine Boudreau, Nate Samson, Josh Landry and Thomas Lee. Back row, from left, Jake Boudreau (assistant coach), Warren Olsen (head coach), Cheo Marshall, Rylan Samson, Ben Samson, Garrison Samson, Ian Treen, Jacob Johnston, Rowan Johnston and Jack Bona. Photo by MIKA KAWAJAArticle contentThe Petit-de-Grat Red Caps will look to be the hosts with the most this weekend.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe local minor baseball team will welcome some of the top under-18 AA clubs to Richmond County for the Atlantic championship. The games will be played at Petit-de-Grat Ball Field in Petit-de-Grat.Article contentArticle contentThe three-day, five-team tournament will feature clubs from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, all with the goal of capturing an Atlantic title.Article contentArticle contentAlong with the host Red Caps, the event will also feature the Tri-County Rangers of mainland Nova Scotia, Sussex Royals of New Brunswick, Cornwall Cougars of P.E.I., and St. John’s Capitals of Newfoundland and Labrador.Article content“We’re expecting strong teams, but we expect to rise to the occasion as well,” Red Caps head coach Warren Olsen said. “Our boys have lots of character and we’re going to leave it all on the field this weekend and either way I’m proud of them.”Article contentThe under-18 Red Caps, who formed this year, had a successful season on the diamond. The club finished third overall in the nine-team Baseball Nova Scotia Bluenose League with an 11-1 record.Article contentAt the provincial tournament, co-hosted by Tri-County and Dartmouth earlier this month, the Red Caps posted a 2-1 record in the round robin with wins over Cape Breton 16-4 and Halifax 10-0. The club’s only loss came to Dartmouth 12-1.Article contentIn the semifinal, Petit-de-Grat defeated East Hants 12-4 to secure their spot in the championship game. The team was doubled 4-2 by Tri-County in the provincial final.Article contentArticle content“There’s no shame in silver,” said Olsen, who coaches the team with Jake Boudreau.Article contentArticle content‘PRETTY GOOD ACCOMPLISHMENT’Article content“In a couple of years, I think the boys will realize it was a pretty good accomplishment. To win gold, you have to play in that game — and unfortunately two teams can’t win.”Article contentThe Atlantic championship will kick off with five games on the schedule on Friday, beginning at 8:45 a.m., with Tri-County and St. John’s.Article contentPetit-de-Grat will hit the field for their first game on Friday at 2:15 p.m., against Tri-County before wrapping up day one of the event at 8:30 p.m., against Cornwall.Article contentThe Red Caps will continue the tournament on Saturday with games at 11:45 a.m., against St. John’s and 5:15 p.m., against Sussex.Article content“Cornwall is going to be tough, they’ve won four of the last five under-18 AA Atlantic titles,” said Olsen, noting most of his players also play in the Richmond Amateur Baseball Association during the summer months.Article content“There’s going to be some good teams here and with a short tournament you never know.”