Reds make history
Host team wins bronze medal at national senior women’s championship
There were no chins dragging coming out of the P.E.I. Scotiabank Reds’ dugout. The Reds dropped a 2-1 semifinal decision to the Quebec Rebelles, settling for bronze in the Softball Canada national senior women’s fastpitch champion at Ellis Field on Sunday.
It’s P.E.I.’s first-ever women’s softball medal in top division play at a Canadian championship.
“I’m really proud of the girls the way they played,” said Reds coach Jeff Ellsworth. “We’ve been chasing a medal for five years, and to finally get one at a national is pretty special.” The Rebelles went on to down the defending champions, Whitby Senior Eagles, 4-0 in the championship game.
Took lead
The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the second inning against Quebec as first baseman Hope Higginbotham’s single plated Jada Yeo from second base. Quebec scored two runs in quick succession in the fifth to take the lead for good. Ariane Capogreco, who pitched all three Quebec wins on Sunday, held the Reds to three hits. Alyssa Fleming gave up four Quebec hits and two unearned runs for the Reds, who rolled to a 5-1 (won-lost) record for first place in round-robin play.
Awards
Alyssa Fleming, pitched in eight of the Reds’ nine games – 40 innings overall – and was named the round-robin’s most valuable player and All-Canadian pitcher. “I can’t do it without my defence,” Fleming said in deflecting credit.
She, too, said she was satisfied with her team’s performance.
“I couldn’t really ask for anything else,” said Fleming. “Everyone played well. Everyone had fun, which was great.” Two other Reds received awards during Saturday’s awards ceremony. Maddie Clarke, who played first base and left and right field, was named the tournament’s top utility player, and Emily Cairns was selected the top centrefielder.
“I can’t stress how unbelievable she is defensively,” said Reds manager Jordan Ellis in praising Cairns. “She is the fastest runner in this tournament, she’s the best centre-fielder here and she gives us a chance to win by being the captain in the outfield.”
Ellis noted Clarke is a natural first baseman, and never even played outfield until joining the Reds.
Ellis said he can just go right down the list and highlight major accomplishments.
Long-term goal
A medal at the Canadian championship, Ellis said, helps the team towards its long-term goal – a medal at next year’s Canada Summer Games.
“It gives them the feel of being in the medal round for the first time,” he said. “We want to get to ‘Championship Sunday’ out there (Winnipeg), and we will figure out the colour later.”
Same team
The Rebelles, less a couple of senior players, are the same team the Reds will play next year at the Canada Games. The Reds are already looking forward to their next meeting.
While players go their separate ways for university and sports, they’re committed to fitness and practice leading up to next spring. Ellis is expecting a busy schedule of 50 to 60 games next summer leading up to the Canada Games.