Bytown Belles finish 4th at the Canadian Nationals Championships

From Erin Durant

The Bytown Belles finished 4th at the Women's Canadian Championships in what was the team's second season and first trip to the Canadians. The Belles also finished 4th in the round robin portion of the tournament.

The Belles only loses came to the three teams that finished above them - the Whitby Eagles, the Calahoo Erins and the Quebec Rebelles.

The Quebec Rebelles knocked the Belles out of the tournament in a 4-2 heartbreaker. The Rebelles scored all 4 runs in the top of the second inning with two out.

The Belles efforts to rally in the 7th fell short thanks to some incredible defence by the Rebelles left fielder.

Two members of the Belles went home with individual honours. Hayley Bennett and Alysse Volpe were named to the All Canadian team as top outfielders. The Belles also had incredible pitching all week from Jean Cardona, Elissa Sivel and Allie Hipgrave. The pitchers combined for a team ERA in the round robin of only 1.50 - giving up only 9 earned runs in 6 games.

The Belles received considerable assistance throughout the tournament from their pick ups - Volpe, Rainey Psenicka and Robyn Draper. The team wishes all three of these talented athletes success next season.