Andrew Hejka hurled a no-hitter in pool play against the Diamonds.

12U Cards win Memorial Day NIT

June 2, 2010, 5:15 p.m.

  Put another trophy on the shelf for the 12U Canton Cardinals.  The boys in red went 5-0 over the holiday weekend to capture the championship at the USSSA Memorial Day NIT, at the Canton Sports Center. 

  The Cardinals advanced to Sunday’s final game after a strong pitching performance from Seth Hubbard.  Hubbard struck out 8 batters to lead the Cards to 11-3 win over the Lansing Hit Club.  That set up the championship showdown against the Southfield Indians.  The Cardinals kept the momentum going, both in the field and at the plate. 

  Pitcher Frankie Bellino and the Canton defense held the Indians to 2 runs in 5 2/3 innings.  But as the Southfield bats started to get hot, a rifle shot from catcher Andrew Jossey to Andrew Hejka was right on money. Hejka tagged the Southfield runner for the third out to end the game and give the Cardinals a 6-2 victory.

  Over the weekend, Canton outscored their opponents 55-7.  The hitting attack was lead by Andrew Jossey (.667/3 triples), Grant Hartwig (.545), and Andrew Hejka (.533/2 triples).  Hejka also hurled a no-hitter in pool play against Diamonds White from Grand Rapids.  Kevin Anthony, Cam Shaughnessey, Michael Groff and Seth Hubbard each picked up 6 RBI for the weekend.  

  The weekend was another proud moment for Cardinals Head Coach Dan Hejka, Sr., who’s been with many of these boys since they were 9 years old.  “Compared to previous years we started slowly this year, but in the past couple weeks the boys seem to have hit their stride,"  said Hejka.  “I have worked them hard and they are responding.  They understand that teamwork and defense wins games.”

  To date, the team has captured 11 tournament titles, 2 state championships and a world series victory.  This season, the Cardinals are 20-5-1, with more league play, tournaments and a trip to the Ripkin Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina still ahead this summer.