The Langley Xtreme continue their domination of the local competition.
For the sixth time in as many tries, the girls U14B softball team has captured a tournament title, improving to an impressive 55-5 overall on the season.
The team’s most recent victory came June 28 to 30 in Richmond at the Lower Mainland Cup.
And the Xtreme managed a measure of revenge in the championship final, knocking off the Surrey Storm 7-2. The Storm had defeated Langley 9-3 during the round robin part of the tournament.
Langley struck quickly in the finals, scoring five times in the first three innings while the team played error-free defensively, including Jayna Hagen gunning down a runner at home plate from centre-field to save a run.
For the tournament, the Xtreme outscored their foes 46-19, including allowing just a single run in their first three games combined.
In the opener, Langley was up 1-0 against the Maple Ridge Rage 01 heading into the fifth inning when the Xtreme struck for five runs on Kayla Michael’s two-run double, an RBI single by Kaitlyn Cowie and another RBI off the bat of Sam Cox.
Piper French was masterful on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out five during four innings of pitching in the 7-0 win.
Pitching was key again in game two as Michael allowed just one hit while fanning 10 batters over five innings of a 5-0 win over the Coquitlam Classics 01/02 team. Nadia Hudson and Jacqueline Hudson both went 1-for-2 and had an RBI and a run scored, respectively.
Ashley Preston delivered a no-hitter in game three, a 8-1 win over the Cloverdale Fury 01. Preston struck out 11 and allowed just two base-runners, both on walks.
The offence was led by Taryn Jenkins’ 2-for-3 performance with a pair of runs scored and two RBIs.
In the final round robin game, the Storm raced out to an 8-1 lead on their way to the 9-3 victory. Jordan Quechuck was a bright spot for Langley, finishing with an RBI.
The quarter-finals saw French smack a pair of home runs while Rebecca Courneyea and Sierra Miller both went 1-for-2 with an RBI apiece in a 9-4 win over the Rage.
Preston tossed four innings of shut-out ball as Langley built an early lead in the semifinals, before hanging on for the 4-3 win over the South Delta Invaders. Courneyea, Michael and Miller had an RBI single apiece.
Next up for the team will be the provincial championships at Maple Ridge’s Albion Park from July 17 to 19.
