Published on August 02, 2016

The Scotiabank Reds’ Clara Jane Wood of O’Leary focuses on a pitching during an exhibition game against the Saskatchewan representative from Saskatoon at Queen Elizabeth Park’s Gordie Arsenault Field on Monday evening. Saskatoon scored six runs in the sixth and seventh innings to break open a 1-1 game en route to a 7-1 victory in an exhibition game between the two teams, who will begin play in the national under-21 women’s fastpitch championship in Summerside on Wednesday.

Jason Simmonds/Journal Pioneer

 

ORIGINAL STORY by Jason Simmonds, Journal Pioneer

 

Host team opens play in national under-21 women’s fastpitch ch’ship on Wednesday

Now it’s about executing as the national under-21 women’s fastpitch championship begins at Queen Elizabeth Park in Summerside on Wednesday.

“We’ve set some short- and long-term goals,” said Reds third baseman and designated player Clara Jane Wood of O’Leary during a recent team practice in Kensington. “We think we have a high enough calibre of team and enough skill to medal at nationals and at Canada Games (next summer).

“Nationals would be short term, and Canada Games would be long term.”

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Teams

The Reds, comprised of players from across P.E.I., are the host team for the nine-team championship, which concludes Sunday.

“It’s very exciting,” said Reds shortstop Jada Yeo of Cornwall. “We have been practising every Wednesday, going to tournaments and we are all very excited to be playing at home.”

 

Season

The Reds enter nationals sporting a 13-3 (won-lost) record. The Reds won the Scotiabank Cup tournament in O’Leary and the Lloyd Poirier Memorial tournament in Truro, N.S., while finishing second at the East Coast Games in Saint John, N.B.

“We are definitely in a good swing right now,” said Reds first baseman Hope Higginbotham of Murray River. “Everybody is hitting the ball hard and getting on base.

“We have a lot of energy on the team, and that will help a lot.”

Yeo described the Reds as “very strong” both offensively and defensively.

“Offensively, we can go one through nine and not have a struggle,” she added. “It all starts with defence to get our offence going.

“We always work on our defence first before we go to the offence in practice.”

 

Good start

The Reds open round-robin play against the Newfoundland Selects (1 p.m.) and Team Nova Scotia 2 (6:30 p.m.) on Wednesday.

“You have to adjust to seeing players you have never seen before,” said Wood, 20. “A lot of the times, here on P.E.I., you play against each other or you play against Nova Scotia three or four times a year, you play against New Brunswick three or four times a year.

“We’ve set some short- and long-term goals. We think we have a high enough calibre of team and enough skill to medal at nationals and at Canada Games (next summer). Nationals would be short term, and Canada Games would be long term.” Clara Jane Wood

“You don’t see that diversity that other teams may see. It may be the thing we have to look for.”

 

Adjustments

The Reds, who are no strangers to national championships, are aware of what to expect.

“Make small goals as you go,” said Yeo. “Set a big one, but smaller goals come first leading up to your big goal.”

A short memory, adjusting to pitching and being able to park negatives are other key factors.

“Anything is possible,” added Higginbotham, 18. “You have to stick to your plan and make sure you are making the little plays.”

 

Small ball

Can fans expect to see the Reds sacrificing, bunting, stealing and hitting and running a lot?

“We play small ball a bit,” answered Yeo. “When we have to we will. We have a lot of strong hitters on our team, and we also have some fast runners that we can take advantage of.”


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The Team

Scotiabank Reds’ team roster:

Players

1. Brianna Arsenault, OF.

3. Hope Higginbotham, 1B.

4. Madison Clarke, 1B/OF.

6. Sydney Halliwell, P.

8. Robyn Power, 2B.

11. Emily Cairns, OF.

12. Alyssa Fleming, P.

13. Clara Jane Wood, 3B.

15. Sarah Woodside, C.

16. Katie Rayner, 3B/C.

17. Kailey Koughan, 2B.

19. Abbey Morrissey, OF.

21. Vanessa Rennie, OF.

22. Jada Yeo, SS.

25. Kaelyn White, U.

31. Emily Brothers, P.

Coaches

Jeff Ellsworth

Jordan Ellis

Ashley Praught

Chris Halliwell

 

When They Play

Reds’ round-robin schedule at national ch’ship:

Wednesday, Aug. 3

1 p.m. – vs. Newfoundland Selects.

6:30 p.m. – vs. Team Nova Scotia 2.

Thursday, Aug. 4

3 p.m. – vs. New Brunswick (Port City Diamondbacks).

8 p.m. – vs. Team Nova Scotia 1.

Friday, Aug. 5

3 p.m. – vs. Ontario (Brampton).

8 p.m. – vs. Saskatchewan (Saskatoon).