OttawaU Women's Fastball Team Game Summaries and Awareness

October 4, 2012

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The University of Ottawa Women’s softball team has made a habit of using their home games to promoting awareness of social causes in the Ottawa area.  In the past they have raised money and awareness for child soldiers in Uganda, Breast Cancer, Canadian troops fighting overseas and Mental Health Awareness. This year the team picked the Youth Services Bureau.  The YSB is the only organization in Ontario that takes a collaborative approach to youth homelessness, youth mental health, youth criminal justice, and youth employment issues.

The team decided to select two causes and this weekend and will be wearing special “Toques for Homeless Youth”. http://www.raisingtheroof.org/  Each Gee-Gee is wearing a toque and the money from that purchase goes to build sustainable housing for homeless youth in Canada.  1 out of 3 homeless people are between 16 and 24, and the average life expectancy for a person living in a shelter is 39 years.  The UOttawa team recoginzes their good fortune to be able to play a sport at a high level and are proud to help raise money and awareness for people who are not so lucky.  It costs between $30,000 and $40,000 a year to house someone in a shelter and the money raised from the sales of toques goes directly towards proactive solutions to help curb youth homelessness. Raising the Roof provides strong and effective national leadership on long-term solutions to homelessness through partnership and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, investment in local communities, and public education.

The team is also wearing “Acceptance Bracelets” in memory of Jamie Hubley. Jamie Hubley  was an Ottawa teenager who committed suicide last year.

Jamie  struggled with depression and loneliness -- and from the bullying that came with being the only openly gay teen in his Ottawa-area high school.

But Jamie’s parents, Wendy and Allan, have joined with the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa to help other youth by raising money to support mental health services.

In his memory, we ask those of us moved by Jamie’s death to keep “acceptance” in our hearts, and on our wrists.

Rainbow-coloured wrist bands emblazoned with the word Acceptance are being sold for $2.00 ).

The wristbands serve as a reminder that young people like Jamie need the understanding and support from their wider community in order to survive, and thrive.

At the request of the Hubley family, funds raised will support the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa Mental Health Walk-in Clinic to ensure timely and accessible mental health services for other young people.

 

September 26th 

uOttawa v. Carleton

            The Gee-Gees started off their six game weekend with a bang as their bats exploded against the Carleton Ravens on Friday night.  With more than one bat-around inning for Ottawa they were able to overtake the Ravens 26-2.  In the second game Ottawa kept the bats going as they took the win at 15-0.  With great defence and a fantastic effort by starting pitcher for both games, Michelle Miller, the Gee-Gees were able to sweep their first two games of the weekend. 

 

September 27th^th

uOttawa v. Brock

            The second set of games for the weekend brought the Gee-Gees even more success as they took both games 3-0.  Jean Cardona pitched the first game and clearly dominated the Brock hitters throughout the entirety of the game, throwing a shut out (the Gee-Gee’s second of the weekend).  Because of the stellar defence of the infield and outfield, timely hitting and heads-up base-running this first game of the day was definitely one of the Gee-Gees best showings of the season to this point.  The second game of the day was again a great demonstration of the Gee-Gees all-around talent.  Once again a great game was pitched by Baylie Gigolyk, leading the Gees to their third shut-out in a row, while the girls made use of their power hitting as well as bunting to edge ahead of Brock by three runs for the win.        

 

September 28^{th    Â} 

uOttawa v. McMaster

            The Gee-Gees came into Sunday feeling great, going 4-0 so far in their weekend, and their exceptional play did not stop there! The focus of Sunday’s first game was the Gee-Gees ace Jean Cardona, who until the fifth inning had retired all consecutive batters for McMaster.  Going into the 5^th inning the Gees were up 9-0 on McMaster, all knowing that this would be the last inning and wondering if Jean could make the perfect game.  Unfortunately in the top of fifth inning a wide throw was made on a bunt play by the Gee-Gees and the perfect game was lost however Jean still came away with a no-hitter which is an amazing feat in itself.  The Gee-Gees clinched the perfect record for the weekend going 6-0 with their 8-1 win against McMaster in the second game.  Michelle Miller threw yet another great game of the weekend, keeping the Mac hitters at bay, while the Gees own hitting was highlighted by heads-up base running and a homerun from power-hitter Taylor Rogalsky, her second on the season. 

            The Gee-Gees showed great determination and skill over the weekend, and definitely showed their potential for the rest of the season.  Over the course of the weekend the Gee-Gees scored a total of 64 runs and only allowed 3 against them, which is quite obviously a testament to great hitting and great pitching.  After their undefeated weekend they now sit in second place behind Western.