The two-time defending champion University of Toronto Varsty Blues softball team went 3-1 on Day 1 of the OUS championship (Oct. 18) and advance to tomorrow's semifinals in Innerkip, Ont.

Following a 13-4 loss to the McMaster Marauders, the Blues were relegated to the elimination side of the bracket. Toronto answered the call valiantly, with a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Gee-Gees, 8-2 win over the Windsor Lancers and a dominant 11-4 rout of the McMaster Marauders to earn their spot in Sunday's semifinal versus the Laurier Golden Hawks.

The Blues and Hawks will do battle at 10 a.m., with the winners set to meet the Western Mustangs in the championship final at 12 p.m.  

McMaster 13, Toronto 4

The Marauders erupted for eight runs in the third inning. Despite the setback, Toronto found production across the lineup as Alexa Aquanno, Olivia Mather, Kae Lin Whiton and Alexia Verches each recorded hits. Jamie Cho, Verches and Tala Rennie all picked up RBI.

In the circle, Joely Ma got the start and struck out three over one inning, while relievers Vanessa Jeffrey and Mather combined for four more strikeouts over six innings of work.

Toronto 6, Ottawa 2

Toronto quickly bounced back with a strong all-around performance over Ottawa. Veteran pitcher Olivia Mather was dominant, going the distance while striking out nine and not allowing a single walk. The fourth-year ace scattered five hits and allowed just two unearned runs in a complete-game effort.

At the plate, Aquanno was the driving force, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, including a clutch two-run single in the third inning to extend Toronto's lead. Whiton and Sydney Bacheller each went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, while Mather also chipped in with a sacrifice fly.
 
Toronto 8, Windsor 2

The Blues carried their momentum into the next matchup, behind another complete effort in the circle and an explosive offensive showing. Aquanno earned the win, striking out six and allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) over seven innings of work.

Offensively, Toronto tallied 14 hits, led by Rennie's 3-for-4 performance with an RBI. Aquanno, Whiton, and Shirley Chan each added multiple hits, while Mather, Bacheller, Julia Lacaria, and Rennie drove in runs.

Toronto 11, McMaster 4

With a semifinal berth on the line, the Blues saved their best performance for last, defeating McMaster in a high-powered offensive display. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Toronto responded with a seven-run explosion in the second inning. Jamie Cho ignited the surge with an inside-the-park home run, scoring two, while Tala Rennie ripped a two-run double and Alexia Verches and Olivia Mather each added RBI doubles of their own.

Aquanno earned the win in the circle, allowing just five hits and four runs (three earned) over five innings while striking out four. Rennie led the way at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Cho, Bacheller, Verches and Rennie each drove in two runs, while Aquanno, Mather and Whiton each tallied multi-hit performances.