The Markham Pioneers fielded a second-place finish in last weekend’s Eastern Ontario Baseball Association senior championships in Oshawa after advancing to the finals and falling 4-2 to the Thornhill Reds.

Matt Wagner collected two hits and scored two runs for the Pioneers while Jeff Fox also had two hits. Paul Hadfield, Mark Petrou, Steve Horsley and Reg Sarne also had one hit.

Mike Lee took the loss with Ben Kelly pitching in relief.   

Playing the weekend tournament minus the services of first baseman Jesse Dynes and pitcher Mark Cheeseman, who were with the Oshawa Royals at the national championships, the Pioneers got off to a good start by defeating Port Hope 5-4 in extra innings.

Alex Bruce picked up the win after working two innings in relief of Kelly, who pitched six innings.  

Reg Sarne collected hits and three RBIs for the Pioneers, while Petrou had two hits and an RBI. Fox, Bruce, Steve Horsley, John Bell and Matt Wagner each had a hit.

Facing the Reds in their second game, the Pioneers overcame a 6-2 deficit in the fifth inning by scoring eight runs en route to an 11-6 victory.

Bruce and Sarne led the Pioneer offence with two hits and three RBIs apiece.

Matt Wagner also contributed two hits and two RBIs while scoring three runs. Mike Rodriguez also had two hits and one RBI.

Horsley pitched the first five innings to earn the win. Lee pitched two solid innings of relief.

Despite suffering their first loss of the tournament to Whitby 7-0, the Pioneers faced the Canadians for a second time in the semifinals and prevailed 5-4 to advance to the final.

The Pioneers set the tone by jumping out to a 5-0 lead and hung on in the bottom of the seventh as the Canadians scored four runs to make it interesting.

Sarne ignited the offence with two hits and two RBIs while Paul Hadfield and Kelly each had two hits and one RBI.

Horsley also had two hits while John Bell and Wagner each had one.

Wagner also got the win with Lee earning the save.

Cheerleader tryouts to be held

The Synergy Elite Cheerleading Club will be conducting tryouts in September for their senior and junior girls squads.

Formerly known as the Markham All Star Cheerleaders, the Synergy Elite Cheerleading Club wants girls and boys between 15 and 18.

The junior girls team is looking for participants between eight and 14.

Remaining under the direction of Jane Cogan, who launched the club in 2006, tryouts will take place at the Markham Gymnastics Club, 60 Riviera Dr., Unit 9.

Interested participants are asked to book an appointment with Cogan by calling 416-809-1891.

In the past, the Markham cheerleading clubs under Cogan’s direction have taken part in various competitions and community events.

Online magazine Sportsxpress.com states competitive cheerleading is one of the fastest growing sports in North America with close to half a million young women and men participating.