The University of Toronto Varsity Blues softball team split their doubleheader with the Queen's Gaels, while sweeping the York Lions in OIWFA action this past weekend (Sept. 29-30).

As the Blues pushed towards the OIWFA playoffs, one final hurdle remained, in Kingston, Ontario, in the form of the Queen's Gaels. With both teams entering the weekend with eight victories, fighting for the top spot in the East division.

Toronto began Game 1 well, with veteran third baseman Kylie O'Donnell leading off the second inning with a single, driven in by right fielder Amanda Deconinck, followed by another RBI single by designated player, Kristen Naidu. The Blues followed that with five runs in the fourth inning, and three more in the fifth, to put up a 10-run game. Catcher Alison Feise drove in three runs, and Beth Deconinck at shortstop added two of her own. This was more than enough offence for Taylor Wright in the pitching circle, who pitched five excellent innings, striking out six, and allowing just one run, unearned, to push her season record to 2-0, with the 10-1 win.

Game 2 in Kingston was a different story however. The Toronto defence was not up to standard and didn't help out starting pitcher Erin Sullivan. The Blues committed four errors, leading to five runs, to get behind against a scrappy Gaels squad, who limited the Blues to just five baserunners, in a 6-0 shutout. This doubleheader was split, leaving Toronto and Queen's to have Sunday's games matter in the hunt for the top spot in the OIWFA East division.

Sunday in Brampton saw the Varsity Blues travel to York University (0-14). The Lions have had a tough year and that continued versus Toronto. Errors were the theme of the day for York and the Toronto offence was sharp to capitalize on the opportunities. In a huge offensive outing, seeing all nine starters score at least two runs each, the Varsity Blues put up 23 runs in their biggest output in head coach Craig Sarson's tenure. Madison MacKenzie drove in four runs, Naidu added three more and left fielder Aurora Nowicki drove in her first two career RBI for the Blues. Alexandra Pennell was very sharp, allowing no baserunners and throwing a perfect game, while driving in a run of her own.

Game 2 against York was more of the same from both teams, and Pennell continued to pitch, throwing four shutout innings, allowing just three baserunners on just two hits, adding four strikeouts for another shutout. Beth Deconinck opened the game up with a walk in the first, and she was driven in by O'Donnell to take a quick 1-0 lead after one inning. The second inning saw Toronto blow the game open though. Nowicki got on and Katelyn Graham (first start in centre field), was hit with a pitch. The offence then woke up with runs driven in by Jessica Tamayo, and two more from Beth Deconinck, along with Taylor Wright, with the Blues leading 7-0 after two. In the third, Tamayo scored again, followed by a big double from Rebecca Burt, and the game ended in a 10-0 shutout victory.

This weekend's 3-1 record has Toronto sitting in a tie for first place in the OIWFA East division. The standings will be finalized shortly as Queen's and Windsor have a game awaiting a resolution. The Varsity Blues can finish no worse than second in the standings, which would draw them against either the Guelph Gryphons or the Brock Badgers in the opening round of the playoff tournament October 13th in Ottawa.

For the season, Toronto sits at 11-5, a very strong record for a team with nine new Blues, and six freshmen athletes. This young team finished second in runs scored (127), and third in runs against (60) in the OIWFA. Big things could be coming for this exciting team come October 13th as the playoffs begin.

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