The Vernon U14 H&L Glass Chilipeppers finished 11th in an extremely competitive B.C. girls fastball championships in Ridge Meadows.
The Chili’s ended up 4-3, but were 2-2 after the round robin and narrowly missing the championship bracket.
“One team finished 3-1, 12 more finished 2-2. It was amazing how close everybody was,” said Chilipeppers coach Warren Carter. “It was the most competitive provincials in years.”
The Chilipeppers clipped Coquitlam 12-4 in the B-side bronze medal game.
The Peppers edged New Westminister 4-3 and downed Carnardon of Victoria 6-2 in other consolation play.
Vernon mauled Mission 7-5 and iced North Delta 6-5 in the preliminary round. Prince George stuffed the Chili’s 3-2 and Chilliwack grazed Vernon 10-4 in the must win games.
A win over Prince George would have catapulted the Chilipeppers into second after the round robin.
The Chilipeppers received outstanding pitching from Ellen Campbell, Lindsay Crandlemire, and Emily Wright.
The backstop tandem of Abby Williamson and Layna Wright threw out six base runners.
Emma Carter, Kaylee Crandlemire, Alana Baker, and Jill Pipke crushed balls all around the yard and Aly Carter, Erin Baker, Morgan Gore made stellar plays on defence.
“They all played fantastic ball all weekend. All the girls should be very proud. The girls showed what hard work and persistence does. Two years ago at districts, we didn’t win a game, with essentially the same group,” said coach Blair Campbell.
