The Newmarket Hawks wrapped up a very successful 2025 Greater Toronto Baseball League campiagn last weekend as they captured the GTBL Playoff Championship with a narrow 2 - 0 win over the defending champions the Thornhill Reds at Bishops Cross Park. The Hawks ran the table on the weekend going 3 - 0 to capture the crown. 

The Hawks came into playoff wekeend as the #2 Seed and opened their playoff run on Friday night with a matchup against the Thornhill Reds. Thornhill would strike first in this one scoring a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd inning. After that, it was all Newmarket as they would score 10 unanswered runs and take this game by score of 10 - 2. Hawks starter Christian Mullen was sensational in this one as he would go the distance allowing two runs (none earned) on two hits while walking two and striking out an impressive 15 batters. Cory Levy started for the Reds and took the loss going 5 innings allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits while walking one and striking out six. 

At the plate, the 12-hit Newmarket attack was led by Cooper Tomkinson who was 2-for-4 with a double, a pair of runs and an RBI. Bryn Sanford, Troy MacLoughlin and Robin Fox Pappas all had two hits a piece and each collected an RBI. Reid Lunney was 1-for-4 with a double and a walk as well as four RBIs while Ryan Neurnberger had a pair of hits and a pair of runs scored and Alex Kok wrapped up the offense with a solo HR. Andreas Boglis and Jacob Hillier had the two hits to account for the Reds offense in this one. 

With the win, Newmarket (1 - 0) now had a matchup against the Kendal Eagles (1 - 0) on Saturday afternoon. The winner of this game would advance directly to the tournament final and need to be defeated twice. This game carried a similar script from game one as the Eagles would score a run in the bottom of the first inning. That would be it for Kendal though as Newmarket would score six unanswered to take down this game. Lefty Lucas Earle would start and take the win in this game for Newmarket going five innings allowing one run (earned) scattering seven hits while walking two and striking out two. Reid Lunney would toss the final two innings allwoing no runs on hit and striking out one. Tom Loubser-Munn went the distance for Kendal allowing six runs (one earned) on 11 hits while walking two and striking out none. 

At the plate, the Hawks were led by Reid Lunney who was 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, two run scored and an RBI. Ryan Neurnberger was 3-for-4 with a run scored and veteran Lenny Wood was 1-for-2 with a HR, a run scored and four RBIs. Robin Fox Pappas had a double and accounted for the final RBI in this game. Cole Murchison and Cruz Lopez each had a pair of hits for the Eagles with Murchison collecting the sole RBI this game for Kendal. 

With the win, Newmarket (2 - 0) now advanced to Sunday and a direct path to the Championship Game where they would once again hook up with the Thornhill Reds after they defeated Kendal 10 - 7 in the tournament semi-finals. After a lopsided win in their first meeting, this game was much much closer as the Hawks took this one 2 - 0. Bryn Biemiller picked up the win in this game for Newmarket as he went toe-to-toe with Reds youngster Daniel Meron on the bump. Biemiller's final line would be 6 1/3 innings allowing no runs on two hits while walking six and striking out five. Andrew Raponi would throw the last 2/3 of an inning striking out one to pick up the save. Meron, the hard luck loser, would go six innings allowing two runs (both unearned) on nine hits while walking two and striking out eight. 

SS Troy McLoughlin was 3-for-4 with three singles to lead the offensive charge for Newmarket. Bryn Sanford (Run) and Cooper Tomkisnon each had a pair of hits while Lenny Wood was 1-for-2 with a walk. Paul Wilson was also 1-for-2 and scored the other run for the Hawks. For Thornhill, Benji Litz and Warren Kember each had a hit to account for their offense. 

Final piece of business from the weekend was to name the second ever recipient of the Dan Lehmkuhl Memorial Award as the League Playoff MVP. This honor went to Newmarket Hawks SS Reid Lunney. Lunney had an impressive stretch in the playoffs as he went 4-for-6 (.667 Avg) in eight plate appearances. He had a pair of doubles, a pair of walks, two runs scored and collected five RBIs. Congrats on a great weekend, Reid!!

Thats a wrap on the Greater Toronto Baseball League season. Congrats to Manager/Head Wizard Matt Richard as well as Brian Bratt, Glenn Winegarden, Alex MacDonald and the whole Newmarket crew on a great season. Congrats as well to Thornhill skipper Nolan Revin and the whole Thornhill crew on a great season as well.