Thirteen teams will battle it out for provincial under-14 A girls supremacy at this weekendB次元官网网址檚 Softball B.C. championship tournament in View Royal and Saanich.
And thereB次元官网网址檚 a good chance at least one local team will be in the hunt right up until the end.
The Langford Lightning edged out the Victoria Devils 2000s for the South Vancouver Island U16C league title B次元官网网址� the girls play up an age group to gain experience B次元官网网址� and both have done well in tournament play this season.
The Lightning have been finalists in a number of outside tournaments this season and have only lost a half dozen or so games, while chalking up more than 40 victories. Head coach Pat Guiney says the teamB次元官网网址檚 strengths include its balance and the playersB次元官网网址� great work ethic, not to mention their athleticism.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got some exceptional athletes in some complementary sports like basketball and soccer,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭hat really helps us.B次元官网网址�
The Kevin Bobroske-coached Devils 2000s B次元官网网址� named for the playersB次元官网网址� birth year B次元官网网址� have an equal amount of depth, with four strong pitchers and some serious power at the plate.
B次元官网网址淲hen we talk about power, we have had some girls hit home runs this year,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 certainly power that IB次元官网网址檝e never seen at this level before.B次元官网网址�
The Devils 2001s, coached by Paddy Strandlund, are also playing in the tournament, but are not expected to challenge for the title this time around.
Among the top out-of-town teams entered are the White Rock Renegades, who Bobroske said play more of a singles style of game that focuses on putting the ball in play. Guiney agreed that the Renegades, who will host the nationals this summer, are the B次元官网网址渂ig dogB次元官网网址� of the tournament. Also expected to stick around late in the draw are the Surrey Storm 2000s.
Pool play runs all day Friday (July 11) starting at 8 a.m. at Helmcken-Centennial Park, with opening ceremonies there at 6:15 p.m. The playoff round begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at both Centennial and Hyacinth Park in Saanich, continuing Sunday at 8 a.m. at both parks.
The championship game goes at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Centennial.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
