Staff
John Desaulniers was the only pre-selected pitcher to make it out to the ballpark for his team.
He was the only one it needed.
The Sight & Sound Wolves’ ace was dazzling against some of the best hitters in the district as he led Team Vaughan Wilson over Team Kurtis Wepruk 7-1 in the Rainy River District Fastball League’s all-star game last night at Couchiching.
Desaulniers gave up only two hits, both in the third inning, while striking out six.
He retired the last eight batters he faced in his near-complete game victory.
Matt Godin (Dawson Tigers) drilled a two-run homer in the first right after Mike Parisien (Fort Frances Braves) had cranked a lead-off triple to start the game off Team Wepruk starter Travis Tom (Braves).
Sheldon Kelly Sr. singled home fellow Couchiching Raider Roger Morrison in the second to make it 3-0.
Team Wilson added two more in the fourth, with Chris Bourgeois (Braves) driving in Desaulniers.
After Don Smith (Northwest Bay Chieftains) singled, the throw from the outfield to try and get Bourgeois at third bounced away, allowing him to ramble home.
Team Wepruk cut the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Kyle Copenace (Sabaskong Lakers) singled home Ryder Woolsey (Barwick Blue Knights).
Desaulniers doubled in Godin, then came around on a Bourgeois double right after to cap the scoring in the fifth off Team Wepruk reliever JJ Landry (Blue Knights).
Kelly Sr. and his son, Sheldon Jr., engaged in an entertaining pair of battles as first-time opponents after being Raiders’ teammates all year.
With the elder Kelly replacing Desaulniers for the purpose of facing his son, the younger Kelly lined a hard shot off his dad’s leg that ricocheted past diving shortstop Shelby Nosan (Stratton Eagles) for a single in the fourth.
But the family patriarch got his revenge in the seventh, striking out his son in the seventh.
The RRDFL and Rainy River District Women’s Fastball League awards banquet will be held Sept. 23 at the Couchiching multi-use facility.
