It’s been a season of great growth for many of the players in the Quesnel Girls Softball Association.
Winter ball in the indoor soccer facilities honed their skills noticeably and many evenings and weekends on the diamonds at West Fraser Timber Park this spring and early summer have paid significant dividends too.
Although a few players will go on to provincials, the season-ending tournament last weekend (June 16-17) will be the last base touched for many of the girls.
A familiar rivalry between the Eliminators and the Devils in the Under-14 age group was the last match of the year.
READ MORE: Girl’s shine on local diamonds
Family and friends filled the bleachers, yelling words of encouragement for their loved ones at the plate and in the field.
“Way to watch it!” a mother of one of the players shouted when a quick underhanded pitch sailed out of the strike zone.
“Gee-double-oh-dee-ee-why-ee!” could be heard from the dugout as the girls sang long-practised, catchy call-and-response songs.
The Devils, who won the last tourney meet-up between the teams, started off the game strong, scoring two quick runs off of four straight hits.
Alexa McTavish, the fluorescent-green-wearing Eliminators’ pitcher, was throwing heat, but the Devils, in bright pink, were seeing the ball well.
McTavish and her catcher Avery Bautista caught a runner trying to nab home plate off a wild pitch and it turned things around for them, as the next two batters were struck out quickly.
The duo would continue their success in the bottom of the first, with McTavish hitting an RBI double and Bautista sending her home with a single of her own.
The green team went up 5-2 in the inning and never looked back.
READ MORE: Quesnel teams hit it out of the ballpark in PG
Although the game final score was 13-4, the game seemed a lot closer to onlookers, who continued their cheers.
“C’mon Trin! Like you can, girl!” another mother pleaded.
“We need you,” the Devils’ third-base coach would often add.
A few of the girls got a little banged up on slides into home, dashes to first or errant throws.
These young women are incredibly tough, however, and shook off the worst of the dings.
They have the off season to heal, after all.
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