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.