Championship WeekendÂ
October 19 to 21st London, ON
Â
           The University of Ottawa Women’s Fastball team travelled to London this past weekend to take on their fellow playoff contenders in the OIWFA Championships hosted by Western Mustangs. In their first game on Friday night against third place Brock they were able to make it only through four innings until the rain forced them to call the game until the following morning. Saturday morning they picked the game up in the fourth inning, scoreless for both teams until the Gee-Gees’ bats started picking up and they were able to generate three runs for the win against Brock. For the third time this season the Gee-Gees shut Brock out now allowing them to score a run. For their second game of the day the Gee-Gees faced the Guelph Gryphons, a team who they split with during the regular season after having a poor showing in their second game. However with pitcher Jean Cardona taking the mound again, the Gee-Gees were able to hold Guelph to only one run, while the Gee-Gees generating some momentum and scored four for the win. In their next game the Gee-Gees took on Waterloo who they had also split with during the regular season and had lost out on the bronze medal to in the Championships last year. The Gee-Gees therefore made sure to take control of the game and with the pitching abilities of Baylie Gigolyk and great defense they were able to shut Waterloo out. The Gees turned on the bats again and ran up the score 5-0 for the win. This win clinched first place in their pool for the Gee-Gees and put them straight into the semi-final game on Sunday.
Â
           On Sunday it turned out the Gee-Gees had to face Waterloo again in the semi finals and although it was a very good game, the Gees were able to come out on top winning 5-3. The game remained very close for most of the game; the Gee-Gees were able to score 3 early with clutch hitting by much of the order. However as the game progressed Waterloo worked their way back one run at a time, eventually tying the game at 3. They were kept from scoring many more by the two diving catches of left-fielder Steph Miller at key points in the game. Late in the game with runners in scoring position, a bunt by the Gees caught the Waterloo defense off guard and a wild throw to first base allowed the Gee-Gees to take the lead, which they were able to hold onto. The Gees therefore advanced to the gold medal game against Western, the one-two teams from the season facing each other as it should be. Jean Cardona threw again for the Gees in the gold medal game, her fourth start of the tournament. The Gee-Gees came out strong off their semi-final win, however the Mustangs were able to score a run early. They held onto their lead for only a couple of innings until the Gee-Gees clutch offense came through with well-timed hits from all over the order. The ladies were able to score 3 against the Western defense and going into the sixth inning they were up 3-1 on Western. Unfortunately the Western hitters came out swinging and were able to tie up the game 3-3 and it would stay that way for the remainder of seven innings. In the top of the eighth, with the Western runner on second as per the International tie-breaker rules, the Gees intentionally walked Western’s first batter to cause the force play. After a strike-out, and two fly-outs by Western, the game was in the Gees hands in the bottom of the eighth for the win. Unfortunately for the uOttawa ladies they were unable to execute and cash in the run which led to the top of the ninth. Western came out strong and were hitting all over the diamond, cashing in multiple runs, leaving the score at 9-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. The Gee-Gees were able to cash in one run however it was not enough and Western took the gold. The Gee-Gees fought hard the whole season and especially in this game and there was never a doubt that they deserved to be there. The Gee-Gees look forward to challenging for gold again next year! Â
Â
