Ottawa Champions 'earned the name on our chest' with Can-Am League title

The Ottawa Champions were greeted by fans at an Elgin Street bar Sunday afternoon after the team was crowned Can-Am League champions — and a noon-time celebration will honour the team again at City Hall on Monday.

The team won three straight away games to capture the title, wrapping up the best-of-five series with a 3-1 win over the Rockland Boulders in New York Saturday night.

It's the baseball team's first league title in what is only their second season.

"We actually earned the name on our chest," said outfielder and Gatineau native Sebastien Boucher.

Austin Chrismon pitched a complete game in the clinching game, allowing just six hits and one earned run without walking anyone.

Kenny Bryant drove in all three Champions runs, including a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning.

We actually earned the name on our chest.- Sebastien Boucher, outfielder

"We got great, timely hitting, good defence and outstanding pitching for the three games we won in Rockland," said manager Hal Lanier.

"We really beat a great ball club."

"Even when we were down two [games], probably a hit away from being eliminated, the guys stayed calm and relaxed," Boucher said.

"It allows you to focus and actually concentrate on doing the job that you have to do. You kind of get that pressure off and you're able to perform at your maximum."

Party at city hall Monday

Fans gathered at the Clocktower on Elgin Street on Sunday afternoon to shake hands with players and team leaders.

A celebration will also be held at 12 p.m. on Monday at Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall to honour the team.

Ottawa beat the first-place New Jersey Jackals in four games in the opening round of the playoffs.

In the regular season they finished fourth in the six-team independent league of teams from New York, New Jersey, Quebec and Ontario to make the playoffs for the first time as well.