The Carillon Sultans have advanced to the Manitoba Junior Baseball League semifinals.

The Sultans plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and defeated the Pembina Valley Orioles 7-1 Saturday night in Ile des Chenes.

Carillon swept the best-of-three opening round series in two straight games.

“These guys stepped up in this series,” said Sultans manager Kevin Dunn shortly after the final out of game two. “They picked up their game and stepped it up another level.”

Cody Bartel drove in the winning run in top of the seventh inning Friday night in Morden as Carillon took the series opener 4-3.

The home team got off to a less than favorable start in game two.

The Orioles put runners on second and third with only one out but came away empty handed.

In the bottom of the inning Sultans leadoff batter Liam Lenton took the first pitch he saw from Pembina Valley starter Liam Giesbrecht and deposited the ball over the left field fence.

“That was huge,” remarked Carillon’s Nik Kauenhofen of Lenton’s home run. “Out of the gate it looked like they were putting a few balls in play and it was going to be a tight one. It just gave the guys a lot of confidence at the plate. He’s a great leadership guy and it was nice to see him hit one out.”

Kauenhofen got the win in game two as he went the distance allowing seven hits and struck out six Orioles.

 

MJBL Most Valuable Player Nic Kauenhofen and batterymate Liam Lenton

 

Next up for the Sultans is the Elmwood Giants who eliminated the Altona Bisons in two straight.

“I think it’s going to be a good series,” said Kauenhofen. “They’ve got a pretty good team but in the games we have had against them – I think we can take it to a new level and at the plate we have an opportunity to do some more damage.”

Prior to the start of game two Kauenhofen was presented with the Carey Candy Trophy which goes to the MJBL’s Most Outstanding Player.

“It’s nice to be recognized for the work I’ve put in on the field and couldn’t have do it without my teammates and coaches,” Kauenhofen said.

The Sultans and Giants will meet Tuesday night at Koskie Field in Winnipeg in game one of their best-of-five semifinal.

The defending champion St. James A’s, who had a bye to round two thanks to their first place finish, will face St. Boniface.

The Legionaires swept the Interlake Blue Jays in two straight in their opening round series.