The Varsity Blues fastpitch team opened their 2010 season with two huge wins over the defending national champion Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday, September 11 at Hillside Park in Waterloo, Ont.

Under the guidance of a new coaching staff, seven Varsity Blues veterans and five first-year players handily defeated the Golden Hawks 4-1 and 7-0.

U of T fought hard the first game and gave the ball to second-year pitcher Kelli Shoebridge. Shoebridge kept Laurier’s hitters off balance and carried a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning.

With none out and two on base early in the fifth inning, she handed the ball over to Blues rookie Kristin Sprukulis. Sprukulis embodied team spirit and thrived on the challenge as the Blues escaped unscathed. Sprukulis dominated Laurier's hitters in the following two innings to earn the 4-1 win.

The entire team hit the ball hard and if not for the exceptional defence by the Golden Hawks, the Blues would have scored more than four runs. Shoebridge led the way with a pair of hits, while Kelly Murphy added a two-run single. Karen Nishi and Danielle Ridout each recorded an RBI for the Blues.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Blues sent rookie Emily Lacey of Kelowna, B.C., to the mound. Lacey faired well and took a shut out into the fourth inning, showing her grit as she got herself out of trouble in the second with bases loaded and only one out.

After a strong third, Lacey put a couple batters on in the fourth and handed the ball over to Sprukulis. Sprukulis once again struck out the first batter and was on the right side of an interference call to get out the inning.

The Blues bats were alive and well as they added a pair in the bottom of the fourth to put Laurier's back to the wall. With Sprukulis on the mound, the Blues cruised to a 7-0 victory.

Pitchers on record are Kelli Shoebridge (1-0), Emily Lacey (1-0) and Kristin Sprukulis (two saves).

The Blues return to action tomorrow when they travel back to Waterloo to take on the Warriros.  Game times are scheduled for 12 and 2 p.m.

Coach Brian Robertson’s Note:

“All in all it was a great start to the season for the Blues and a big thank-you needs to go out to Dana and the Home Run Sports gang in Mississauga for all their help in outfitting the team with new jerseys, helmets, bats, catching equipment and much more.”

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