The U17 Central Energy squad split both games of its doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday afternoon to improve to 9-4, which is good for second place in the Manitoba Premier Softball League (MPSL) standings.
U17 Central Energy took the first game on Saturday in dramatic fashion, with a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Eastman Wildcats. Central Energy was down 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh when Kara Buhler doubled, scoring two runs to win the game.
Molly Cowan pitched the whole game for Central Energy, giving up six hits and one run over seven innings, striking out three and walking none.
In the second game on Saturday, the Eastman Wildcats defeated U17 Central Energy 9-2, thanks partly to a five-run outburst in the fourth inning.
Gabrielle Hildebrand started in the circle for U17 Central Energy. She surrendered seven hits and nine runs (two earned) over four innings, striking out none and walking two.
On Sunday, U17 Central Energy got back in the win column with a swift 8-0 victory over the Westman Magic, thanks partly to five runs in the second inning. Nelia Fehr drew a walk, scoring one run; Molly Conrad singled, scoring two runs; and Tori Mangin singled, scoring two runs.
A ground out by Molly Cowan, and a walk by Gabrielle Hildebrand helped U17 Central Energy extend their early lead in the third.
Nelia Fehr stepped in the circle first for U17 Central Energy. The starting pitcher surrendered five hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking one.
The rubber match against Westman Magic was a heartbreaker for U17 Central Energy, as they lost the lead late in a 7-6 defeat.
Karli Toews stepped in the circle first for U17 Central Energy. She gave up five hits and seven runs (four earned) over six innings, striking out eight and walking six. Maddy Friesen also hit a home run to center field, which helped U17 Central Energy tie the game at two in the top of the fourth inning.
“We played great this weekend,” said U17 Central Energy head coach Cam Zacharias. “On Sunday, we had awesome pitching, winning the first game, but then lost the second game by one run. We hit well in both games, but just fell short at the end of the second game.”
U17 Central Energy is back on June 26 for a doubleheader against the Manitoba Thunder at the East St. Paul Sports Complex. The game times are 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
U17 Central Energy will then go to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for a tournament at the beginning of July. From there, they will take part in the Manitoba provincials, where they hope to qualify for the Nationals with a top-two finish.
The U13 Central Energy team split its doubleheader on Saturday. They lost the first game 7-1 to the Manitoba Angels but won a close 2-1 barnburner with the Eastman Wildcats. The next day, Sunday, wasn’t too kind for U13 Central Energy. They lost both games of their doubleheader with the Eastman Wildcats by 9-2 and 10-3 scores.
U13 Central Energy is back in action with a doubleheader on June 28 against the Interlake Phillies at the Winkler Parkland Diamond. The game times are 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The U15 Central Energy squad won its first game of a doubleheader on Saturday by a 9-2 score against the Manitoba Angels. However, the second game was rained out, and the diamond was unplayable.
U15 Central Energy will return on June 28 with a doubleheader against the Manitoba Angels at the Winkler Parkland Diamond. The game times are 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
