The Varsity Blues went 2-4 over a long road trip this weekend (Sept. 17-19). The Blues split their doubleheader with the Guelph Gryphons on Friday night, before dropping both game to the Western Mustangs in London, Ont., on Saturday. Toronto ended the trip going 1-1 with the Windsor Lancers on Sunday afternoon.

After spending 3.5 hours on the bus in traffic, the Blues were not well prepared and were handed their first loss of the season 7-0. Kelowna, B.C., native Emily Lacey took the loss for U of T, making her record 1-1 on the season.

In the second half of the double header versus Guelph, the Blues cleared the cobwebs and come out strong defensively. Both teams battled hard and the Blues emerged with a 3-2 victory. Kelli Shoebridge of Gilford, Ont., took the win and improved to 4-0 on the season, while Kristin Sprukulis (Oakville, Ont.) picked up her fifth save in as many attempts.

On Saturday, the Blues took met the undefeated Western Mustangs. Sprukulis got her first start of the season and pitched well; however, the Blues defence was not its usual self, giving up six errors in the game. The Mustangs took full advantage and handed Toronto their second loss of the season, 7-0.

The second game started off much better for the Blues as Lacey blanked the Western hitters through the first two innings. In the third, Lacey got into trouble when she gave up one run and exited the game with two runners on base.

Sprukulis came on in relief and couldn't keep the potent Mustang hitters at bay giving up both inherited runs. The Blues finally got on the board in the bottom of the third and found themselves down 3-1.

The Mustangs went on to score three more unearned runs after an untimely error with two out and then added two more in the sixth to win the game 8-1.

On Sunday the Blues woke up in Windsor to complete the six-game road swing - the longest of the season. Toronto jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but could not build upon it. Shoebridge left the game with a 2-1 lead and Sprukulis could not hold on, giving up a run and blowing her first save in six attempts.

The teams went back and forth, coming up with great defensive plays as the game went to three extra innings. In the 10th, the Blues scored in the top half of the inning; however, the Lancers pushed across two runs to win it in the bottom of the 10th.

The tired Blues squad then carried a 2-1 lead into the top of the sixth of their six-and-final game of the weekend, but the Lancers rallied for three runs to take a 4-2 lead.

Toronto then perked up and showed their true heart and determination as they put everything aside and battled back to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth and then holding Windsor in the seventh for the win. Sprukulis was the winning pitcher, who improved to 1-2 on the season.