Chilliwack’s fastpitch Mayhem wrote a Cinderella story last weekend, finishing third at the Sullivan Park Rep A Girls U-14 Softball Tournament in Surrey.
Based on their record, the girls should have been easy pickings for better teams.
Winless (0-16) during the regular season, the Mayhem played to form in the first two tourney games, losing to the Surrey Storm 2001 and White Rock Renegades.
But a switch was flipped before their third game, and the Mayhem rose up to beat the Surrey Storm 2000.
Down 7-4 in the last inning, Chilliwack got extra-base hits from Hank Soltys, Kennedy Galley and Kyra Wiens to escape with an 8-7 win.
The Chilliwackians carried on to a playoff rematch against Surrey Storm 2000, winning 5-1.
An 11-4 loss to the Delta Heat in a semi-final knocked the Mayhem out of title contention, but they ended on a high note in the bronze medal game.
Chilliwack dumped the Richmond Islanders 9-4 to take bronze.
The pitching duo of Mattisen Henrotte and Wiens was outstanding throughout the tourney. Henrotte struck out 15 batters in 13 innings, while Wiens fanned 16 in 16 innings.
They were helped by outstanding defence.
Emma Brezden was a rock at third base, with Bella Melnuk, Kara Wismer and Kalista Kirkness tracking down balls in the outfield.
Soltys, the catcher, kept things calm behind the plate.
Shortstop Veronica Sawatzky was injured for the tournament and could not bat or field. She worked as a pinch runner and led the team in stolen bases with four.
Offensive leaders for the tournament were left fielder/first baseman Deanna Tuchscherer and shortstop Allie Thiessen, both batting .500.
Galley hit .389, Wiens hit .375 and Soltys hit .333.
Find local fastpitch info at chilliwackminorfastpitch.com.
