The Varsity Blues softball team is heading to Ottawa this weekend (Oct. 12-14) to play in the OIWFA Championships. The top eight teams have qualified and saw Toronto finish first in the East Division, claiming the No. 2 seed overall, just behind the Western Mustangs.

Toronto has had a very successful season with an 11-5 record. Considering the influx of new talent, this has been a very welcome .688 winning percentage for such a young Blues squad. The softball program saw 10 departures from last year's team, so the addition of nine new athletes in 2018 has brought upon a style and a new mindset in the program, which is off to a great start.

The Blues have drawn the Guelph Gryphons (8-8) in the first round of the double knockout tournament. Toronto did not play Guelph during the season, so this matchup is a unpredictable as the playoffs approach. The Gryphons gave up an average of 6.4 runs per game this season. The Blues have been giving up just 3.75 runs per game on the year, so the pitching and defensive advantage appears to tilt in Toronto's favour.

The Varsity Blues will be leaning on a young, but very talented group of players against Guelph, and moving forward in the tournament. Leading the group of young talent is veteran third baseman Kylie O'Donnell. The eight-year stalwart has captained the infield, and hit an impressive .417/.491/.479 on the season. O'Donnell is the big holdover from the lineup and leads the young group of promising athletes. Erin Sullivan has led the team in on base percentage (.535) all season, followed by the Deconinck sisters, Beth (SS) and Amanda (2B) who have each scored 14 runs this season. Driving in a bunch of runners all season was fellow freshman, Kristen Naidu, leading the team with 18 RBI.

In a change from recent seasons though, Toronto has leaned on a very good and deep pitching staff. Taylor Wright has provided stability, pitching to a 3-0 record, with a 2.96 ERA. Wright is joined by second-year thrower Samantha Cotton, whose sparking 2.17 ERA highlights what a good season she's had in the pitching circle. Toronto can expect contributions from Sullivan as well as first-year pitcher Alexandra Pennell (4-0, 0.00 ERA). The bonus to the deep staff is the deep pool of catchers wearing the Blue and White as well. Fifth-year backstop Madison MacKenzie has seen her bat heat up as the playoffs arrive, as has Alison Feise. They're joined behind the plate by defensive specialist Shawnee Rizqa in what is the deepest the catching position has ever been for the program.

"This is the exciting beginning of this team's hopeful journey to a provincial title," said head coach Craig Sarson. "The OIWFA always puts on a good tournament and you can be assured the 2018 version will be no different. This should be an exciting weekend of softball."
 

2018 OIWFA Championships

Saturday, October 13

11:00 a.m. – vs Guelph

Carp Fairgrounds

3970 Carp Road.

Ottawa, Ontario

K0A 1L0

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