U13 Guelph Gators Take Bronze at GVLSA Championship, News (Guelph Minor Softball Association)

News Article
News Article Image
Sep 01, 2023 | James Harrison | 83 views
U13 Guelph Gators Take Bronze at GVLSA Championship
AND THAT’S THE BALL GAME! GUELPH GATORS TAKE BRONZE AT GRAND VALLEY LADIES SOFTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS   

“Don’t be sad that it’s over. Be happy that it happened.”   - Unknown author

In a season where not much was expected, the Guelph Gators U13s defied expectations, placing third in the Grand Valley Ladies Softball League (U13 division), capturing bronze. The win came just a week after the Gators captured gold in the B Pool at the PWSA championships in Windsor, Ontario, beating Kitchener Klassics Black.

 

This was the first year for the expansion Gators squad, comprised of players who had never played rep ball before, those cut from other teams and those seeking a new place to grow. The Gators earned medals in five tournaments this season.

 

“Being able to capture a bronze in a very tough and competitive Grand Valley playoff was a great end to our season,” said Gators head coach Alex Snyder. “I am so pleased with how far we've come and all the growth our players have demonstrated, on and off the field. Five medals aside, it was a special season.”

 

Snyder was effusive in praising his four senior players – Taylor C., Morgan P., Kaycea W. and Rileigh T., who showed leadership and poise in their final years as U13s.

 

“The maturity and poise shown by these young women is remarkable,” Snyder said. “They made it so much easier as coaches, showing the younger girls how to conduct themselves, whether on the field or on the bench. I am sorry to lose them but know they will go on to great things.”

 

The coach also had high praise for others who helped make this dream a reality.

 

“A huge thank you goes out to Coach Jordan and Coach Rob on the incredible jobs they've done this year,” he said. “Also, a big thank you goes out to our GMSA President Ken Winslow, scorekeeper Christi Partridge, and Team Manager James Harrison, who have done so much behind the scenes. The future is bright for Guelph Softball!"

 

On Monday, it was announced that Snyder would return as coach for the U13 Gators, along with Janet Hoskin from the U11 Gators. Assistant coaches will be named later.

 

GATORS WIN BRONZE AT THE GRAND VALLEY LADIES SOFTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

KITCHENER, Ontario, August 20, 2023 – Guelph Gators U13 beat Haldimand Heat U13 5-2 on Sunday to clinch bronze at the Grand Valley Ladies Softball League championships at Waterloo Park.

 

Guelph opened the scoring in the bottom of the first thanks to two singles. Guelph first got on the board when Taylor C. singled, scoring one run. The Gators added one run in the second. Kaycea W. grounded out, making the score 3-0.

 

The Gators added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Ellie M. singled, and Piper H. grounded out, each scoring one run.

 

Morgan P. stepped in the circle first for Guelph. The right-hander allowed four hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out eight and walking two. Taylor appeared in relief for Guelph Gators U13.

 

Taylor and Morgan each collected two hits for Guelph. Ellie, Kaycea, Piper, Taylor, and Morgan each drove in one run for The Gators. Kayla B. paced Guelph Gators U13 with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing five walks for the game. Ellie and Morgan each stole multiple bases for Guelph, who ran wild on the base paths, piling up six stolen bases for the game. Guelph didn't commit a single error in the field. Rileigh T. had the most chances in the field with nine.

 

The rest of the games are presented in chronological order.

 

GUELPH GATORS U13 ROLL PAST PALMERSTON MARLINS U13

 

KITCHENER, Ontario, August 18, 2023 – Guelph Gators U13 easily dispatched Palmerston Marlins U13 on Friday, 11-1.

 

The Gators got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Taylor C. doubled, Johanna A. walked, and Guelph scored on a passed ball, each scoring one run.

 

Guelph scored five runs on two hits in the bottom of the second inning. Rileigh T. drew a walk, scoring one run, Taylor singled, scoring two runs, and Ellie M. singled, scoring two runs.

 

Morgan P. led things off in the circle for the Gators. The mighty righty allowed one hit and one run (zero earned) over three innings, striking out nine and walking none. Taylor pitched two innings of zero-run ball for Guelph in relief, allowing one hit, striking out five and walking none.

 

Kaycea W. and Taylor each collected two hits for Guelph. Taylor drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Gators with three runs batted in. The shortstop went 2-for-2 on the day. Kayla B. paced Guelph with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Rileigh and Taylor each stole multiple bases for Guelph.

 

GUELPH GATORS DEFEAT STRATFORD FLAMES 13U

 

KITCHENER, Ontario, August 19, 2023 – Guelph Gators U13 topped the Stratford Flames 13U 7-2 on Saturday.

 

Guelph opened the scoring in the first after Taylor C. hit a solo home run to right field.

 

Guelph scored six runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rileigh T. homered to left field, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, Lailan T. grounded out, scoring one run, and Elyse D. singled, scoring two runs.

 

Morgan P. stepped in the circle first for Guelph. The righty allowed four hits and two runs (zero earned) over four innings, striking out six and walking two. Taylor tossed three innings of no-run ball for Guelph Gators  in relief. The righty surrendered one hit, striking out eight and walking three.

 

Rileigh led the Gators with two hits in three at bats. Kaycea W. stole two bases.

 

GUELPH GATORS WITH TOUGH GAME AGAINST KLASSICS BLACK 13U

 

KITCHENER, Ontario, August 19, 2023 – Guelph Gators couldn't keep up with Klassics Black 13U and fell 10-0 on Saturday.

 

Kitchener, no doubt still reeling from their upset in the gold medal game the week before at the provincials, came out hard and fast, showing Guelph that they were not intimidated.

 

A single by Delilah R. put the Klassics on the board in the bottom of the first.

 

They added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Brielle J. grounded out, Gabby W. homered to center field, Tenley H. singled, Guelph Gators committed an error, and Alyssa G. singled, each scoring one run.

 

Morgan P. stepped in the circle first for Guelph. The starting pitcher gave up one hit and one run (zero earned) over four innings, striking out six and walking two.

 

Kaycea W. and Rileigh T. each collected one hit for Guelph.

 

GUELPH GATORS DEFEAT WATERLOO GHOSTS BLACK

 

KITCHENER, Ontario, August 19, 2023 – The Guelph Gators topped the Waterloo Ghosts Black 9-4 on Saturday.

 

Guelph jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Taylor C. singled, scoring two runs, Morgan P. laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run, and Johanna A. laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run.

 

Guelph added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Taylor doubled, Waterloo committed an error, and Johanna laid down a sacrifice bunt, each scoring one run.

 

Morgan stepped in the circle first for Guelph, giving up one hit and zero runs over four innings, striking out nine and walking two. Taylor appeared in relief for Guelph Gators .

 

Taylor led the Gators with two hits in three at bats. Johanna, Morgan, and Taylor each drove in two runs for Guelph, who also showed patience at the plate, amassing 10 walks for the game. Kaycea W., Piper H., and Rileigh T. led the team with two bases on balls each. Rileigh stole two bases.

 

 

GUELPH GATORS STYMIED BY WATERLOO GHOSTS GOLD  2023

 

KITCHENER, Ontario, August 20, 2023 – Guelph Gators couldn't keep up with Waterloo Ghosts Gold 2023 and fell 16-1 on Sunday, playing for the right to play in the gold medal game.

 

Guelph knew they were in tough against a team with a perfect 24-0 record in league play.

 

Waterloo jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Ava G. drew a walk, scoring one run, an error scored two runs, and a passed ball scored one run.

 

The Ghosts extended their early lead with five runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Lyla N., Peyton D., and Sydney R.

 

Waterloo scored seven runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. An error scored one run, Tyley D. homered to left field, scoring two runs, Isla K. hit a solo home run to center field, an error scored two runs, and Peyton singled, scoring one run.

 

Morgan P. opened the game for Guelph, giving up zero hits and four runs (zero earned) over two innings, striking out four and walking three.

 

Morgan went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Guelph in hits.

 

In the end, the Ghosts were too much for the Gators and moved on to face Kitchener for the gold medal game while Guelph and Haldimand faced off for bronze.

 
Sponsors
Dan Clayton Homes
At Dan Clayton Homes, we understand the importance of details. We are Tarion Registered Builders who specialize in custom home design because we love helping people create that house they’ve always imagined.
Oskam Welding & Machine
Metal Fabrication: The Structural Steel, Miscellaneous Metals, Custom Metal Fabrication, Millwrighting, and Factory Maintenance experts.
Plasfab Inc.
Plasfab Inc. is a full service contract manufacturer of precision fabricated metal components for equipment OEMs including tier 2 automotive manufacturers, water equipment manufacturers and assemblers.
Brak Innovations
Brak Innovations was established in 2013 focusing on quality structure cabling and telephony installations.
Valet Car Wash
Located at 1007 Gordon Street in Guelph, Valet Car Wash offers a variety of car cleaning and appearance services to fit any need and budget. These services range from drive through exterior car washes, interior cleaning and express and full service detailing.