For the third time in four softball tournament appearances this season, the U14B Duncan RiverCats reached the medal round — this time at Cordova Bay on June 4 and 5— and for the second time, the team finished with a silver medal.
The RiverCats had a tough opening game against the league-leading Gordon Head Wave on Saturday. They managed to keep it close for most of the game, trailing 5-4 after five innings, but ultimately lost 9-4. They bounced back with 12 hits in a 13-6 win over the Victoria Devils.
Later that day, the RiverCats beat Lakehill 13-3. The Duncan team gave up a run in the first inning, but dominated the rest of the game and recorded 18 hits.
The RiverCats played their best ball of the tournament in their round-robin finale against Carnarvon. The RiverCats scored early, but Carnarvon responded with a run of their own. Duncan regained the lead in the third, only to see Carnarvon score in the bottom of the inning. Both teams had chances over the rest of the game, but neither was able to capitalize, and the game ended in a draw.
The single point from the tie was still enough for the RiverCats to qualify for the final against Gordon Head. The RiverCats were sluggish to start, and Gordon Head took an early 6-1 lead. Although the RiverCats were able to rally for three runs, the game ended with the Wave up 7-4.
“The girls were a little disappointed, but two second-place finishes and a fourth-place finish in Richmond is something they should be proud of,” coach Kevin Olender said.
