ASSINIBOIA — Dreams were dashed but spirits remain high for Assiniboia and area softball players who were part of the Moose Jaw Ice who competed at Softball Canada U17 National Championship. Assiniboia player, Charlize Hilmer, Willow Bunch’s Bryn Montgomery and Gravelbourg’s Callie Hendrick all earned the opportunity to compete at the national championship held July 28-Aug 3 in Warman, competing with Moose Jaw Ice.
The Ice lost a close opening game to BC Ridge Meadows Pride by a score of 2-1 but rebounded to take a big win over NL Selects. On day two the Ice fell to the Ont Bandits. Game three, the team fell once again in another low scoring game to Calgary Adreline with a score of 3-1.
Their final round robin game was Aug 1 evening against BC Abbotsford Outlaws, with both teams holding a 1-3 recording in final round robin play. Teams that didn’t make qualifying rounds for the championship title still had the opportunity to play for seeding and national placing.
The Moose Jaw Ice knew going into the U17 Softball Canada national competition that it was going to be tough slugging with 24 teams all vying for a chance at playoffs and hopefully a Canadian softball medal.
Another Assiniboia player, Lily Kwasnicki, was picked up by the Moose Jaw Ice U15 team as a pitcher to play at Western Canadian Championships that took place over the August long weekend in Calgary. The results were not were what the team had hoped, earning only one win, however the experience was a positive one, energizing players for competition next season.
This concludes softball season for Assiniboia and area players.
