GeeGees Women's Fastball win silver at Nationals

from Andrea Nelson

Results for the uOttawa GeeGees women's fastball team, from this past weekend at the CCSA Nationals held in London, ON:

In the GeeGees first game of the National Championships this past weekend they faced Waterloo, a team they are no stranger to.  Jean Cardona started the first game, fresh from the previous weekend of three starts and backed by her GeeGees defence.  Cardona was solid as always, however Waterloo came out ready to play and through some timely hitting were able to manufacture a run late in the game. But the GeeGees did not stay silent, throughout the game they were able to lay some bunts down to move the runners around, which was complimented by some key hitting from all over their lineup.  In the end the GeeGees took it 4-1.

 

Their second game of Saturday was against St. Clair College, a team they had yet to play but who they were prepared for. Cardona started the game again for the GeeGees and the game quickly turned into a pitchers' duel, the bats staying quiet for both sides.  The GeeGees had some chances with runners on, but were unfortunately unable to cash them in.  As for St. Clair, in the 5th inning they got a baserunner, who, after a hit through the infield advanced to third base for a chance to score.  St. Clair put on a squeeze play at home, but Jean Cardona picked up the ball quickly from the mound for a toss to Grace Lonergan at home to get the runner, keeping the game tied at zero.  The game would stay at 0-0 for the final.

 

The GeeGees played their third round-robin game on Sunday, knowing that a win would bring them closer to a first place finish in their pool.  In this game they were up against Humber College, an opponent they also knew of, but had yet to play themselves.  Jean Cardona was back on the mound again for the GeeGees, getting some help early from her offence as Ottawa scored first in the game to give her some extra confidence.  It was soon clear that it would be a back-and-forth game however, as Humber came back to score three runs and tie it up.  It luckily remained tied for awhile, Humber stranding multiple baserunners as the GeeGees outfielders highlighted the defence with impressive over-the-head catches from Elyssa Dobson and a heads-up play by right fielder Jacqui Timperio.  On an off-target throw to first, Timperio recovered the ball, diving into the base with her glove to get the Humber runner who had taken a hard turn.  This gave the GeeGees two out, and with Cardona retiring the next batter easily, the GeeGees had avoided another potential run from Humber.  In the sixth inning the GeeGees had bases loaded when first baseman Taylor Rogalsky came up and sent a rocket out to left-centre field over the head of the centre-fielder, clearing the bases and allowing the GeeGees to take a 6-3 lead.  In the seventh Cardona struck out all three Humber batters in order for 6-3 win. 

After clinching first place in their pool, Ottawa faced Waterloo Sunday morning for the semi-finals game. The GeeGees came out on top of their game for this one, Cardona completely dominating the Waterloo offence.  As for the GeeGees their offence started early as well, scoring four runs in the first two innings, and having baserunners on in every inning from up and down their order.  Jean Cardona had yet another chance for a perfect game going until a slapper was able to drop in for a hit behind second base.  In the bottom of the sixth, the GeeGees were up 6-0 looking for one more run to mercy when Brye Corkum shot a ball out to the fence in left field for a triple.  Baylie Gigolyk then came up for a basehit into right field, knocking Corkum in from third and securing the early win at 7-0.  Cardona finished with a one-hitter and the GeeGees advanced to the finals to face Western for a repeat of the Provincial Championship one year before.

Jean Cardona started off the game again for the GeeGees, but before she came out to the mound, Ottawa was able to score first, being up on the Mustangs 1-0 in the first.  Unfortunately Western was able to come out and score two against the GeeGees early in the game as well.  The Mustangs continued to chip away at the Ottawa pitching for the next few innings, and with the Ottawa defence not being what it normally is, it allowed for Western to get on top 5-1.  Baylie Gigolyk came in to pitch for the GeeGees in the fifth, hoping to get some ground ball outs against Western.  Coming into a difficult situation, Gigolyk was able to secure some outs, though Western managed to score three more runs against her late in the game.  In the sixth however, the GeeGees did make a run for it, cashing in two more runs after having bases loaded, making it 8-3.  Although they hoped for more, the GeeGees unfortunately stranded three runners after having another chance at bases loaded and in the end Western came out on top 8-3.  The uOttawa GeeGees are silver medalists!

Some other highlights for the GeeGees include having four players recognized for their contributions by the CCSA: Jean Cardona for her pitching, Elyssa Dobson for her outfield play, Michelle Miller for her contributions on offence and Grace Lonergan for her stellar catching.  They also had contributions from up and down the lineup all weekend from timely hitting to error-free games on defence.  The GeeGees anxiously await the Provincials held next weekend in St. Catharines and will be looking for gold!