Tigers set for Eastern Canadians
Intermediate women’s championship begins today in O’Leary
“We’re good for our age.” Ally Hustler
O’LEARY – A mix of junioraged players and young adults comprise the host team’s roster for the Eastern Canadian intermediate women’s softball championship that begins today in O’Leary.
The Township Tigers, made up of players from West Prince to Summerside, will host two Nova Scotia teams and a team from Quebec in the weekend tournament, which features a double round-robin format with the top two teams advancing to the championship game Sunday afternoon.
Versatile 17-year-old pitcher, catcher and fielder Ally Hustler is relaxed going into the tournament. She doesn’t know any of the Tigers’ opponents but that’s OK, she said, noting the Tigers are ready.
They won O’Leary’s Spudchucker tournament in the women’s open division in May and while they ran into some tough teams in a recent tournament in Maine, she feels it was a learning experience from which the team can build on.
Seventeen-year-old shortstop Lauren Lilly cautions teams against taking the Tigers’ youthfulness for granted.
“We’re good for our age,” said a grinning Hustler.
She pitched the Westisle Wolverines to the provincial championship title in Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association senior girls’ softball league in June. Her mother, April Hustler, along with Katie Rayner, coached the high school team. April Hustler and Wendy McCue are coaching the Tigers and Rayner moves from coach to player.
All games in the three-day tournament are scheduled to be played at O’Leary’s Ellis Field, located 81 Gaspe Rd.
Tournament organizer Andrew Avery said the field is in great shape and summer staff and volunteers are ready to host the event.
If rain becomes a factor, Ellsworth Field at 426 Main St. in O’Leary will also be used.
Games start today at noon. The Tigers play their first game at 2 p.m. against Nova Scotia Team One and are back on the field at 6:30 p.m., following the opening ceremonies, to take on Nova Scotia Team Two.