In capturing three straight tournaments this summer, the Valley East U12 Jr Voyageurs have proven to be far too strong for the majority of their opponents.

But when push comes to shove and an equal talent comes along, the locals still find a way to prevail, remaining undefeated as we head into the dog days of summer.

The Jr Voyageurs started their run back in mid-June, taking the title at the Thorold Fathers Day Classic after surviving a semi-final threat from the Halton Hills Eagles (9-5) before blasting the Lakeshore Whitecaps 20-6 in the final.

As might be expected, the Valley East reps excelled on both the mound and at the plate, with the likes of Daviy Dale, Rory McDavid, Nate Didone (one out shy of an 87-pitch complete game), Trent Morris, Reid Pitre, Max Gould, Brady Caeser and Jack Stone all bringing the heat, combining for well over fifty strikeouts along the way.

Though they surrendered five runs, the tandem of McDavid and Gould did manage to piece together a seven-inning no hitter in the semis.

At the plate, Jase Halas, Ava Wicklander and Meric Whissell joined the hurlers above in taking turns leading their team offensively, with Stone (3/3 - 5 RBI) and Halas (4/4 - 3 RBIs) being particularly productive in the final.

Facing some older competition in the North Bay 13U Sandlot Series Tournament, the U12 Jr Voyageurs again cruised through their first four games with ease, pitting the team opposite the Ottawa Valley Expos in the championship affair.

Trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Valley East rallied as Rory McDavid belted his first home run of the season, a three-run blast, putting his team up by one.

In the top of the seventh, with the game-tying run on third base, outfielder Ava Wicklander closed out the match in style, aggressively charging what should have been an RBI single and throwing out the batter at first to cap off a 7-6 win for the locals.

Most recently, the team that is coached by the quartet of Carter McDavid, Joel Whissell, Brian Ceaser and Mike Pitre dealt with their first non-win of the year, playing to a 10-10 draw with the Innisfil Cardinals in the round robin portion of the Orillia Summer Classic.

But it was the Simcoe Giants who they faced in the final, the latter showing exactly why they were among the last two teams standing.

Leading 6-1 in the sixth, the Jr Voyageurs appeared to have the game well in hand when a series of defensive miscues proved costly, allowing the Cardinals to rally and tie the contest at 8-8.

Needing just one run to win it all, the Valley East squad loaded the bases and Meric Whissell put an end to the drama, driving Rory McDavid home from third and giving the northern crew a 9-8 win and tournament triumph number three.

Starting pitcher Rory McDavid picked up the win, with Daviy Dale overcoming some challenges with the ball-handling behind her to shut the door enough to allow her team to win it all in the bottom of the seventh.

Stepping up to fill in as an injury replacement at the most recent event was Jaxon Wicklander.