The U13 Central Energy team took home the bronze medal at the 2024 Manitoba Premier Softball League Provincials this past weekend in Stonewall to wrap up their 2024 season.
Central Energy battled against sixteams from around the province during the four-day tournament.
Central finished the round robin games with a 3-3 record. Thursday the Energy won 15-8 over the Smitty’s Terminators but lost 7-1 to the host Interlake Phillies. Friday was also split with an 8-1 loss against the Eastman Wildcats and a tight 9-8 win over the Westman Magic. The club once again went 1-1 on Sunday with an 8-3 loss to the Winnipeg Lightning and an 8-7 victory over the Manitoba Angels.
Central found themselves in fourth place after round robin play and in a Sunday matchup with the 3rd place Winnipeg Lightning. Central scored five runs in the first inning, which helped them defeat the Lightning 9-1 and secure the Bronze medal. Kylie Wiebe pitched three innings in relief for Central. The right-handed pitcher allowed two hits and one run while striking out three and walking none. Cassandra Lanthier led things off in the circle, giving up one hit and zero runs over two innings, striking out one and walking one. The Energy piled up 11 hits in the game. Beaudry English provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Central with two runs batted in. The second baseman went 1-for-2 on the day. Brielle Friesen, Collins Vrooman, and Kylie Wiebe each collected two hits for Central. The defence was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error.
That win earned the Energy another shot at the Eastman Wildcats and a chance to win gold. The Wildcats opened the scoring in the bottom of the first thanks to two doubles, and they continued to add runs from there to win 7-0. Cassandra Lanthier started the game for Central. The right-handed pitcher gave up five hits and three runs over two innings, striking out one and walking none. Bianca Lanthier went 1-for-1 at the plate to lead Central in hits.
“This weekend went really well,” said U13 Central Energy coach Hailey Yuskin. “I’m very proud of the girls as they have improved so much since we started, and they really showed up to play this weekend. Considering we started the season off a bit slow, coming out with a bronze medal made our coaching staff very proud.”
Up next is the U15 Central Energy team that will now be representing Manitoba at the U15 Female Western Canadian Softball Championships in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, from Aug. 2 to 5.
Finally, the U17 Central Energy squad will be headed to Calgary, Alberta, this week, as they will be representing Manitoba at the U17 AAA Canadian National Softball Championships from July 29 to Aug. 4.
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