Selects' season in review

Friday, September 27, 2025

The Selects enjoyed a successful bounce-back year in 2013, outscoring opponents 103-76 in the regular season to post a 12-7 record and nab the second spot in their division. The team stepped up for the big games, finishing 10-2 against divisional opponents and winning five straight heading into the playoffs. Once there, they advanced to yet another semi-final with a hard-fought series win over the Moonshiners, before bowing out to the defending champions, Bell Cartage.

Along the way, the Selects introduced three promising young players to the roster and welcomed back one of the faces of the franchise in Glen Hall, who hit 0.333 with a 0.500 OBP in 10 games. After joining the team part-way through the season, Mike Tyler hit an impressive 0.444 with seven RBIs in just eight games, while Mike Boshart provided stellar outfield defense with his quickness and strong arm. Along with Jamie Ridley, he also tied a team record with four triples.

But the Selects rookie to make the biggest impact was indisputably Shayne Riepert, the only player to attend every game. He brought a solid bat to the table, hitting 0.358 with seven RBIs and 12 runs scored, but it was his contributions on the mound that were especially noteworthy. Though second-year hurler Chad Fink led Selects pitchers with a sparking 5-0 record, Riepert anchored the staff in most respects, notching team bests in ERA (2.168), complete games (4), innings pitched (51 2/3), and strikeouts (74). He also tied a team record with three saves and registered complete games in both the team's playoff wins, including a masterful two-hit shutout in the deciding game of the quarterfinals.

Offensively, nine Selects hit 0.300 or better in 2013, led by Jamie Ridley at 0.455. In his third season with the Selects, Ridley also led the team with 18 RBIs and 15 runs, and established himself as the team's everyday third baseman.

The Selects now look forward to the start of the 2014 season, their 16th in the Kitchener Fastball League.

Errors cost Selects game one

Selects vs. Bell Cartage

Thursday, September 5, 2025

The Selects dropped game one of their semi-final series with Bell Cartage 7-1 on Thursday night, thanks to an error-riddled, six-run third inning.

The Selects drew first blood in the top of the first inning, as Kevin Ryrie continued to find ways on base, beating out an infield single. He advanced to third on a pair of passed balls and then Mike Brown, running for Ryrie with two outs, scored when another ball got to the fence, making it 1-0 Selects.

The score would stay that way until the bottom of the third. After a leadoff double, the Selects' defense unravelled, committing four errors in an inning that saw Bell score six runs on just two hits. Bell would add one more in the fourth, when Trevor Mask walked and scored on a Rob Weiler single, and the Selects could not solve Jeff Wise, falling 7-1.

Despite being saddled with the loss, Chad Fink threw a great game, allowing just five hits and one earned run over six innings, while striking out five. The Selects now face a must-win game two on Monday at 7 p.m.

MVP: Chad Fink, P

'Shiners force game three

Selects vs. Moonshiners

Wednesday, August 28, 2025

The Selects came out flat in game two of their quarterfinal series with the Moonshiners Wednesday night, giving up five runs in the first en route to a 7-0 loss.

Things started off positively enough for the boys in green, as Kevin Ryrie beat out an infield single to lead off the top of the first, advanced to second on a Jamie Ridley sac bunt, and took third on a passed ball. Unfortunately, he was called out at the plate trying to score on another passed ball, ending the threat. And then things got really bad.

With their playoff lives on the line, the Moonshiners put up a six-hit, five-run first inning and never looked back. They chased Selects starter Scott Clark from the game in the bottom of the fourth with the score at 7-0. It would stay that way, as reliever Shayne Riepert threw three innings of no-hit ball, striking out four. Unfortunately, the Selects couldn't solve the 'Shiners Chris Van Volkenburg either. Ryrie (2-3) and Mike Brown (1-2, BB, SB) were the lone bright spots on offense.

The series now shifts to a deciding game three, Tuesday at 9 p.m.

MVP: Mike Brown, CF

Selects streak into playoffs

Selects vs. Bulldogs

Tuesday, August 6, 2025

With their final regular season game looming, the Selects' playoff fortunes were shrouded in uncertainty. A win would clinch the second spot in the tightly contested Black Division, while a loss could conceivably drop them to fifth and see them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2005. But the boys in green sealed their own fate on Tuesday night, edging the Bulldogs 7-6 to enter the postseason on a five-game winning streak.

The Selects' offense continued to sizzle, mounting a two-out rally in the top of the first to take a 3-0 lead, thanks to a Jamie Ridley walk, Tim Coverdale reaching on an error, and RBI singles from Mike Welton and Shayne Riepert. But the Bulldogs, fighting for their own playoff lives, responded immediately with a five-hit, four-run bottom half to seize a 4-3 lead.

After a shaky start, Scott Clark rebounded, allowing just one unearned run over the next three innings. Unfortunately, Bulldogs hurler Corey Jackson was keeping the Selects hitters in check as well; they managed one run in the top of the fourth courtesy of a one-out triple from Brad Dowling and an RBI single from Mike Brown, but the Bulldogs still led 5-4 after four.

Not to be denied, the Selects took the lead for good in the top of the fifth. Riepert singled home Welton and came in to score on a Scott Clark single to make it 6-5 Selects. With two outs, Brown, running for Dan Clark, took home on a passed ball to give the Selects a crucial insurance run. After Leighvi Batte tripled home Craig Miller to cut the lead to 7-6 in the bottom of the fifth, Riepert came on in relief and slammed the door shut, not allowing a hit the rest of the way.

With the win, the Selects finish the year at 12-7, good for second place in the Black Division, having won both head-to-head match-ups with the Classics, who also finished 12-7. They now await their first round playoff opponent for a best-of-three series set to begin in late August.

MVP: Mike Welton, 2B

Selects make it three in a row

Selects vs. Classics

Thursday, July 25, 2025

The Selects' offense continued to sizzle Thursday night, putting up 16 hits against a strong Classics squad en route to an 11-6 win in the Rogers TV Game of the Week.

Jamie Ridley remained hot with an RBI single in the top of the first, cashing Kevin Ryrie for an early lead, but the Classics had answers in the bottom half, as two-out singles from Sam Forbes, Frank Farrell, Troy Brohman, and Al Staats gave the Classics a 4-1 lead after one.

The Selects came back swinging. After a leadoff single from Glen Hall, Shayne Riepert ripped a double down the right field line to put two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Dan Clark then delivered an RBI single, but Riepert was cut down at the plate trying to score. Mike Boshart followed with his fourth triple of the season to cash Clark and cut the deficit to 4-3, where it would remain after Fink held the Classics in check during the second inning.

Ridley and Fink started the third inning with back-to-back singles, and Mike Brown knocked Ridley in with a single of his own to tie the game at four. After a sacrifice bunt from Hall, Riepert reached on an error, cashing Fink. Riepert was then thrown out trying to steal second, but Brown came home on the play, giving the Selects a 6-4 lead. They extended it to 7-4 in the top of the fifth on a Riepert single, cashing pinch-runner Brad Dowling.

The Classics got one back in the bottom of the fifth when Larry Murphy drove one over the head of centre fielder Mike Brown, who misjudged the ball, to score Ken Hendry. But the Selects were not to be denied on this day. After a leadoff single by Ryrie and a walk to Ridley, Fink delivered an RBI single, Brown ripped a two-run triple, and Riepert cashed him with an RBI single of his own, giving the Selects an 11-5 cushion with three outs to get. The Classics managed just one run in their final at bat, as Fink improved to 5-0 with the hard-fought 11-6 win.

The Selects now sit at 10-7 with only two games remaining. Brown (3-4, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Riepert (3-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Clark (3-4, RBI, run, SB), and Ridley (2-3, BB, RBI, 2 runs) led the Selects' balanced offensive assault. They'll look to continue their winning ways with another high stakes match-up on Monday against the Kings (8-6-1) at 7 p.m.

MVP: Jamie Ridley, 3B

Riepert leads Selects in win

Selects vs. Phillies

Thursday, July 18, 2025

Shayne Riepert notched a complete game, 10-strikeout performance and added a three-for-three night at the plate for good measure, leading the Selects to a much-needed 5-2 win over the Phillies on Thursday night. Despite allowing baserunners in all six innings, Riepert consistently made big pitches in key spots to help his team secure the victory.

The Phillies opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Brandon Viol hit a high fly ball into shallow right-centre that nobody could find, allowing him to hustle into second. J.J. Gallo followed with a sacrifice bunt that was thrown into right field, permitting Viol to score and leaving Gallo standing on second. It was an inauspicious beginning. But after a groundout moved Gallo to third, Riepert notched two timely strikeouts to escape the inning down just 1-0.

The Selects answered in the top of the second. After singles from Tim Coverdale, Mike Tyler, and Riepert loaded the bases with two outs, Coverdale took home on a passed ball and Brad Dowling reached on an error to load them again. Kevin Ryrie then delivered a clutch double to score Tyler and Riepert, giving the Selects a 3-1 lead. The Phillies shaved it to 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning - courtesy of singles from James Gallo, Scott MacDonald, and Viol - but they would get no closer. The Selects added insurance runs in the third and fifth innings, and Riepert did the rest.

Riepert (3-3, run), Coverdale (2-3, 3B, run, RBI), and Tyler (2-3, run, RBI) paced the offense, as the Selects improved to 8-7 with four games remaining. Their next test comes Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the Thunder (3-10).

MVP: Shayne Riepert, P

Selects drop heartbreaker

Selects vs. Smoke

Thursday, July 11, 2025

The Selects took an early lead against the Smoke on Thursday night, but couldn't hold on, losing 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh. It was the Smoke who struck first, however, when Jeff Clemens hit a leadoff single, moved into scoring position courtesy of the passed ball, and came in to score on a Rob Wood sacrifice fly, giving the Smoke a 1-0 advantage after one inning.

But the Selects were quick to respond. In the top of the second, Glen Hall doubled and scored on an RBI single by Scott Clark. After Reed Laughlin walked and Mike Brown beat out an infield single to load the bases with two out, Brad Cleasby singled in Clark and Laughlin, and Jamie Ridley followed with a triple to score Brown and Cleasby. Suddenly, the Selects had a 5-1 lead.

After cruising through the second and third innings, Shayne Riepert surrendered a leadoff home run to Wood in the bottom of the fourth. Still, the Selects held a 5-2 advantage entering the bottom of the sixth. That's when the Smoke's potent offense came alive. Wood continued his big night with a leadoff double and scored on Adam Vanwyck's KFL-leading seventh home run of the season, trimming the Selects' lead to 5-4. After a Todd Melchin double put the tying run in scoring position with nobody out, Clark came on in relief. He quickly tallied three outs without allowing a hit, but not before Melchin scored to knot the game at five.

The Selects, after stranding nine runners through the first six frames, went quietly in the top half of the seventh. Jeff Clemens was hit by a pitch to open the bottom half and promptly stole second. He moved to third on a Paul Clemens infield single and, when a pitch got to the fence during Wood's at bat, he scampered home for the 6-5 victory, leaving the Selects in stunned silence.

Hall (1-2, 2 BB, run), Cleasby (2-4, 2 RBI, run), Clark (2-4, RBI, run), and Ridley (2-4, 3B, 2 RBI) led a balanced Selects offense in the loss. The boys in green will look to rebound next week against the top two teams in their division, as they meet the Diamond Jaxx (8-1-2) Tuesday at 7 p.m. and the Phillies (9-3-1) Thursday at 9 p.m.

MVP: Glen Hall, 1B

Offense erupts in 16-5 win

Selects vs. Thunder

Tuesday, July 2, 2025

The Selects rode a pair of six-run innings to a 16-5 win over the Thunder Tuesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak in the process. Scott Clark picked up his second win of the season, throwing all five innings, allowing nine hits, and striking out four.

The high octane end result looked very much in doubt early, as the score was knotted at one after two innings. The Selects then put up six runs in the third, three in the fourth, and six more in the fifth to secure the lopsided victory. The long-overdue offensive onslaught was lead by Tim Coverdale (3-4, 4 RBI, 3 runs), Mike Brown (3-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 runs), Jamie Ridley (3-4, 3 runs), Brent Furtney (2-3, BB, 3 RBI, 3 runs), and Mike Tyler (2-4, 3 RBI, run).

The Selects improve to 6-5 with the win and look to put together another couple wins next week with games against the Moonshiners (4-4) and Smoke (5-3-1).

MVP: Mike Brown, CF

Long ball dooms Selects

Selects vs. Bell Cartage

Tuesday, June 25, 2025

The Selects could not overcome a strong offensive start by Bell Cartage Tuesday night en route to their third straight loss.

Bell opened the scoring immediately, as Corey Tinline launched a home run to right on the second pitch of the game, but the Selects bounced back in the bottom half of the first. Kevin Ryrie singled, Brad Cleasby walked, and both advanced on a passed ball to put two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Jamie Ridley then delivered a sacrifice fly to score Ryrie and knot the game at one. Alas, they would get no more, as Cleasby was thrown out at the plate on a Mike Welton grounder to first.

Bell didn't waste any time regaining the lead, posting a five-run second inning highlighted by a Tim Dubois rocket over the right field fence. Scott Clark would turn the ball over to Shayne Riepert with the Selects trailing 6-1. His counterpart, Jeff Wise, would be chased even sooner, after a Reed Laughlin single and walks to Dan Clark and Brad Dowling loaded the bases with nobody out in the home half of the second. The always difficult Dan Martin toed the rubber in relief and held the Selects to one run in the frame, as Clark scored on a Ryrie single but the boys in green left the bases loaded. Bell led 6-2 after two and the Selects wouldn't get any closer, losing 8-3.

Martin looked very sharp in his first game with Bell this year, racking up 12 strikeouts over five innings, while Riepert whiffed seven Bell hitters in his four innings of work. Mike Welton was a bright spot in his first game for the Selects this season, going 2-3. The Selects look to end their three-game skid Thursday night against the KFL's newest team, the 0-7 Razorbacks.

MVP: Kevin Ryrie, C

Predators blank Selects

Selects vs. Predators

Tuesday, June 18, 2025

The Selects simply couldn't come through with the all-important timely hit on Tuesday night, stranding 13 runners en route to a 3-0 loss to the Predators.

Things started off promisingly enough, when Kevin Ryrie hit a leadoff single in the top of the first and Brad Cleasby followed with a walk. Predators pitcher Dan Shantz was able to escape the jam, however, inducing three consecutive groundouts. The Predators then went to work in the bottom half of the inning. Dan Gehl hit a one-out single and scored when Mark Kelly drove a liner to right that found its way to the fence. Dan Mullin followed with a hard-hit single to score Kelly and give the Predators a 2-0 lead, but the Selects escaped with a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.

The Predators extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third when Mullin stroked a two-out double and scored on a Travis Schmidt single. It would be more than enough. Despite having runners in scoring position in all seven innings, the Selects were unable to claw back. Cleasby (1-2, 2 BB), Ryrie (2-4, SB), Brent Furtney (2-4), and Dan Clark (1-2) all put together solid offensive outings in the loss.

Shayne Riepert allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings, while striking out six. Three pitchers - Shantz (one inning), Kelly (five innings), and Mullin (one inning) - combined for the shutout for the Predators. The Selects, now 5-2, are back in action Thursday night against the Jays (3-1-1). It will mark the first meeting between the teams since the Jays ended the Selects' 2012 season with two heartbreaking losses in the quarterfinals. Game time is 7:00.

MVP: Brad Cleasby, SS

Selects edge Bulldogs

Selects vs. Bulldogs

Wednesday, June 5, 2025

The Selects quickly bounced back from their first loss, posting a 4-3 win over the Bulldogs in a tight Wednesday night affair. The boys in green drew first blood in the bottom of the second, when Dan Clark stroked a one-out single, moved to second on a passed ball, and astutely tagged and advanced to third on a fly ball into shallow right field. With the two-out catcher rule in effect, Shayne Riepert came in to run for Clark and promptly swiped home on a passed ball to give the Selects a 1-0 lead.

They would add to that lead in the third inning. Mike Brown led off with a grounder up the middle that the second baseman was unable to get to first in time. After stealing second and moving to third on a Kevin Ryrie groundout, Brown scored on a Scott Clark single. Clark then stole second himself, took third on a passed ball, and scored on a Jamie Ridley ground out, making it 3-0 Selects after three.

The Bulldogs were not about to roll over, however. In the top of the fourth, Chris Davis ripped a leadoff single and moved to third on a ball off the bat of Dave Westphal that was misplayed by the Selects' second baseman. A Jordan Gallant sacrifice bunt scored Davis and moved Westphal to second and he scored on a two-out single from Dave Carney to make the score 3-2, where it would remain until the bottom of the sixth.

In that frame, Ridley hit a leadoff single and moved to second on a Brad Cleasby sacrifice bunt. After moving to third on a Tim Coverdale groundout, Ridley scored on a hard hit ball off the bat of Dan Clark that caromed off the shortstop's glove, giving the Selects a 4-2 lead heading into the final inning.

Carney led off for the Bulldogs, reaching on an error, but Scott Clark struck out the next batter and induced a shallow fly to leave Carney at second with only one out to get. However, Matt Fries came up with a clutch single to set up a first and third situation with the tying run aboard. Leighvi Batte then singled to centre to score Carney, but Brown tossed a strike to nail Fries attempting to go first to third for the final out of the game.

Chad Fink notched his third win of the season, allowing just three hits and two unearned runs over four innings of work, while striking out four. Scott Clark closed things out, scattering three hits and one unearned run over three innings, with one strikeout. The Selects, now 4-1, return to action next Wednesday at 9 p.m. against the Red Sox (1-3).

MVP: Mike Brown, CF

Selects take third straight

Selects vs. Kings

Monday, May 27, 2025

The Selects struck early and held on for a 5-3 win over the Kings Monday night, improving to 3-0 on the season. In the top of the first inning, Kevin Ryrie stroked a leadoff single and the Kings misplayed Shayne Riepert's sacrifice bunt, leaving runners at second and third with nobody out. After Mike Brown was walked to load the bases, Chad Fink was hit by a pitch, cashing Ryrie. Dan Clark followed with a fielder's choice that scored Riepert and Brown came in to count when the throw to first was wide on the attempted double play, giving the Selects an early 3-0 lead.

The Kings cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the first, when Zack Wagner reached on an error and came in to score on a Matt McLaren single. After stranding three runners in scoring position over the next two frames, the Selects increased their lead to 4-1 in the top of the fourth. Ryrie notched another leadoff single and scored on a rip to right off the bat of Riepert.

For a while, that looked like more than enough support for Selects' starter Chad Fink, who had allowed just one hit through four innings while striking out eight. The Kings got to him in the bottom of the fifth, however, scoring twice to chase Fink from the game. Despite walking a pair to load the bases, Riepert closed the door with a strikeout and an inning-ending grounder to short. Ryrie yet again led off with a single in the top of the sixth and came in to count with an insurance run on Fink's two-out RBI single, giving the Selects a 5-3 lead they would not relinquish.

Ryrie paced the offense, going 3-4 and scoring three runs, while Fink had a 2-3 night and notched two RBIs to give him a team-leading seven through just three games. In his KFL debut, Mike Boshart went 1-3 with a triple and provided solid defense in left field. The Selects are back at it next week against a pair of division rivals, the also undefeated Diamond Jaxx (2-0) on Tuesday night and the Bulldogs (1-2) on Wednesday.

MVP: Kevin Ryrie, C

Selects win season opener

Selects vs. Phillies

Wednesday, May 15, 2026

The Selects looked sharp in their 2013 season opener, downing the Phillies 5-2. Chad Fink showed no early-season rust, tossing five innings of three-hit, shutout ball, while striking out six to pick up his first win of the season.

The Selects opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Kevin Ryrie beat out an infield single to start things off and Mike Brown legged out a double to put runners at second and third with nobody out. After inducing a pop out to second base, Phillies pitcher Erik Rasmussen struck out the next batter, but the third strike got away from the catcher and Ryrie scampered home when he threw to first to complete the second out.

The Selects offense went back to work in the third inning, when Brown punched a leadoff single up the middle. With the hit and run on, Jamie Ridley hit a comebacker to the mound, but Rasmussen's attempt to get Brown at second was not in time. Tim Coverdale followed with a perfectly placed bunt to load the bases for Fink, who stroked a bases-clearing double. Rasmussen was able to stop the rally with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout, but the Selects took a 4-0 lead to the fourth.

In that very next frame, after a Scott Clark walk and a Ryrie fielder's choice, Ridley delivered an RBI double to extend the lead to 5-0. In relief of Fink, Shayne Riepert struck out the side in the sixth, but the Phillies added a pair of unearned runs, making the final score 5-2 in favour of the Selects.

MVP: Chad Fink, P