The Lakehill Blazers U16B girls softball is representing B.C. at the Western Canadian Softball Championships in Regina, Sask., July 31 to Aug. 3.
They’ll face three Saskatchewan teams, two from Saskatoon plus the host Regina, as well as teams from Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg.
The 12-girl Lakehill club qualified through districts in June, which it hosted at Lakehill’s home field of Ambassador Park, with Sooke, Cordova Bay, View Royal and Central Saanich.
As the second-place team at the districts, Lakehill advanced to the provincials, sliding in by the skin of their teeth.
“We came from behind in the semifinal to beat View Royal in extra innings, the first time we beat them all year,” said Paul Zehr, vice-president of softball with Lakehill.
With their backs against the wall in the seventh (and final) inning, Lakehill’s bats recovered from a 5-2 deficit to draw even at 5-5. View Royal brought in three runs to open the top of the extra inning, but Lakehill managed four runs to pull out the win.
At provincials, Lakehill dropped the first two games and ended up 12th. The team finished strong, however, and took up the chance to attend Westerns after others passed up their invites.
The team is fundraising for the trip this week through gofundme.com/zs7fzug.
reporter@saanichnews.com
