Answered: How did the U15A Hustlers fare at the Canadian Championships?

The Canadian championships, to many, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For our U15A Hustlers Team, they got this chance!

How does one get to play in a national championship, you ask? The answer is, you work hard all season, by practicing your skills many times a week. Entering as many tournaments for extra competition play. Commitment to strive and do your best on the field, and cheer loud when you are not. Sitting on the sidelines nursing an injury with hopes to heal quickly and return to play. You attempt to win the U15A provincial showdown to become one of the Top 4 teams in Saskatchewan to move onto play in the Canadian Championship. This is one way to do it.

Unfortunately, the Hustlers did all of the above, but lost out in provincial play due to tie breaking rules. Though, there was good news ahead for the team. They were the best ranked Saskatoon team, therefore, gaining the honor as HOST team for the tournament. YAY!

The tournament was held August 3rd to 7th in Saskatoon, and the girls were ready to play. Pool play looked tough. Here is a little recap:

• They lost their opening game against BC5, Fraser Valley Fusion, 11-1. 

• Their second game of the day was against MB2, Eastman Wildcats. Maggie Raukman started them out with a single base hit, but unfortunately was called out when stealing second in a later play. After that, their at bat was quick, and they lost the game after 4.5 innings, 9-0. 

• Let’s head to the next day, game 3, vs the NB Selects. The Hustlers were down 7-6 at the top of the 6th inning when Brynn Bilodeau’s at bat hit a single to right field which allowed 2 runs to score. Later, a bunt by Maddie Cey allowed Bilodeau to score. In the 7th inning, the NB pitcher walked several of the Hustler players, therefore, allowing 2 more runs to score. The girls held the NB team to no runs in the bottom of the 7th inning which allowed a win for the Hustlers, 11-7.

• Onto game 4, the Hustlers struggled to put runs on the board against BC1,Cloverdale Fury. After only 2 innings the Fury were up 10-0. Defensively, the Hustlers were trying, but were coming up short. Final score 15-0 after 4 complete innings. 

• It is captivating to watch all the emotions that happen during a game from parents, grandparents, family and friends, when watching their team perform. 

• A new day brings new possibilities. The Hustlers were not going to let ON3, UTM Bandits, win. The girls battled back being down 7-2 after 4 innings. With 2 outs and bases loaded in the 5th, Jalyn Rambally sent a dinger over the fence for a Grand Slam! Score now 7-6 . The game remained close with ON3 scoring 1 run in the bottom of the inning: 8-6. ON3 had a bit of trouble in the 6th inning allowing the Hustlers a couple walks, then a couple singles. With bases loaded, Brynn Bilodeau is at bat. Her first pitch is an illegal pitch and runners advance, 1 run scored. With 2-2 count, Brynn had to protect, and that she did with a fly ball to right field and over the fence to bring the score to 12-8. With each team earning 1 run each in the 7th inning finalizing the score at 13-9. Whew! Exciting game.

• Looking for another win, and hoping for a 3-3-0 finish, the Hustlers now faced AB2, Lloydminster Liners. The girls started off strong with 3 runs after the 1st inning and allowed only 2 runs after 3 complete. Top of the 4th the Liners scored 6 runs which put them in the lead 8-3. The Hustlers battled back in the 6th inning to lessen the gap to make it 8-6. With Home team advantage, they need to hold AB2. Unfortunately, the Liners were hot with the bats and the Hustlers with a couple errors, gave AB2 the opportunity to score another 6 runs. Score 15-6. With one more chance to bat, the Hustlers needed runs. They tried, and were unsuccessful. Score remained 15-6. 

The Hustlers finished the preliminary rounds with a record of 2-4-0, placing them 16 out of 21 teams. 

This took the team to the Consolation Side of the tournament. 

• Here they met up against MB3, Manitoba Angels. With no runs in the 1st inning and MB3 earning 1 run in the 2nd, Taytum McCowan hits an in fence homer in the 3rd to even the score. Maddie Cey scores a run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Both teams played well, with the Hustlers coming out on top with a 2-1 win.

• Game 8, semifinals for the Hustlers was against SK3, Regina Lazers. The team took the lead in the 2nd inning with a score of 2-1. Regina was having none of this and came back in the 3rd inning to lead 5-2. The Hustlers scored 1 more at the top of 4th inning closing the gap a bit; 5-3. Regina was hot on the sticks again hitting doubles and several singles to earn 8 more runs to win the game 13-3 after 4 complete innings.

The Hustlers finished the tournament with a 3-5-0 record.This placed them around 15th place overall. BC1, Cloverdale Fury were the 2022 U15 National Champs.

Softball Canada picked an All Star Team from all the players at the National Tournament. This is picked after the preliminary play. It is an honor to be picked. Tatym McCowan had a 9-15 at the plate with a .600 hitting avg. She played several positions during the preliminary play, and was picked as an outfielder to the All Star Team. Congratulations Taytum.

Thank you to all the fans who came to watch and cheer all week. Also, to all the fans that may have tuned in to the youtube live or the team gamechanger live. It did not go unnoticed, thank you.

A job well done from all of the Hustlers players. All played their hardest, hitting, pitching, catching and fielding. Congratulations to you all. The Zone thanks you for doing your best!