The Halifax Pelham Molson Canadians have lost some batting power but don’t plan on letting it slow them down.
The Canadians, who won the 2008 Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League title and posted a 3-1 record at nationals last August, are dealing with losses of west-coast slugger Brandon Hunter and steady .300 hitter Jay Turple.
The addition of Tyler Covey, a Hammonds Plains native who has been inactive lately after spending time at Ulster College in New York, will help soften the blow.
Canadians head coach Jim Pelham said “pitching and defence” are his team’s strengths, but he still hopes to get “timely hitting.”
“We’re losing a lot of punch without Turple,” Pelham said. “Adding Tyler Covey, he can hit the long ball but it might take him part of the season to get going. We hope he picks up where Turple leaves off.”
Pitcher Barrett Bellefontaine, shortstop Ryan Veinot and second-baseman Adam Lucas are among the all-star talents back to carry the load for the Canadians.
The club has revived itself after five straight losing seasons from 2002 to 2006 and hopes to bounce back after being swept by Dartmouth Moosehead Dry in last year’s final.
“I think we can play with those guys,” Pelham said. “We’re pretty competitive and they’d probably say the same thing.”
