The Markham Mariners A Rookieball team might have had a dismal regular season.

But in the end, the group of eight- and nine-year-olds concluded their campaign on a positive note last weekend after claiming the bronze medal from the Ontario Baseball Association championships in Tecumseh.

Entering the 13-team double knockout tournament with a 4-14 regular season record, the Mariners won their first game last Friday over Cambridge 16-1.

The Mariners then overcame a 9-3 deficit against Mississauga North in their second game Saturday and prevailed with a 16-14 win.

Facing Niagara Falls in their third game, the Mariners held a slim one-run lead through five innings and erupted for five runs in the sixth inning en route to a 16-10 victory.

Playing their third game of the day Saturday against Stratford, an exhausted Mariners team suffered their first loss of the tournament 16-3.

Despite the loss, the Mariners rebounded Sunday against Oshawa and cruised to a 14-4 win to reach the final three.

At this point a draw was conducted to see who would play and who would receive a bye into the final.  

The Mariners drew Stratford again with London Southwest advancing to the finals.

The Mariners fell 19-3 to the eventual OBA champions and were awarded the bronze medal.

Coached by Reggie Pan, Al Hoyt, Alan Pang and Richard Tsung, team members included: Dean Christidis, Nicholas Da-Re, Justin Pan, Nicholas Soehner, Mitchell Hoyt, Connor Hicks, Braeden Wodehouse, Daniel Perillo, Stephen Barclay, Ryan Gullage, Marcus Tsung and Jaclyn Pang.