London Lightning Novice traveled to Stratford
this past weekend for the annual Stratford Flames tournament and captured a
well-earned silver medal.
The schedule started Friday evening with a convincing win over Springfield 12-4. Saturday was poised to be long day with our 1st of 3 games at 9am vs. Cambridge. The early start and an improved opponent lead to a tight game which started to open up in the later innings in favor of Lightning. That perseverance lead to a 7-4 win for London.
The second game of the day was a 12:30pm start vs Delaware. Again, the novice team slowly and steadily got the bats and defense rolling coming away with 8-4 victory.
With the mid-day heat coming on and a 3-0 record it was time to relax and refocus before our final game of the day. The coaches keep it light and cool by volunteering for the dunk tank, all in name of raising funds for Breast Cancer Awareness! After multiple dunks in the d some great hospitality by the Shiell family, the team was rested, feed, cooled and ready to go.
Our final game on Saturday was verses a scrappy Exeter team. Our girls knew a win here would position us for a bye going into Championship Sunday and they came to play! The bats erupted early and continued throughout the game. Hard base running and good defense rounded out the 13-2 win over Exeter.
The Sunday showdown was set Fury fastball tied London lightning Novice both had 4-0 records in pool play, however Fury took top seed by allowing 5 fewer runs against.
Lightning took on Kitchener Black in one semi-final and Fury took on Lucan in the other semi-final.
London and Kitchener played an exciting and very close game with London leading by only 1 run until the 7th inning. Kitchener pushed hard and scored 3 in the top of the 7th to go ahead by 2. Some amazing will power and keen at bats saw London score 2 to tie and with the go ahead run on 3rd Erica M. delivered a smashing single to walk off the win and advance to the Finals.
With an emotional win behind them and the championship on the line, London took on the Guelph Fury Fastball (also undefeated) in the final. Both teams were "In the Zone" trading hits, unbelievable defense and scored runs each half inning. Both teams came to win! Fury was able to string together some timely at bats in the bottom of the 6th to take a 10-7 lead. Stellar defense shut the door in the top of the 7th and Fury had captured gold, London had won a very well-deserved silver.
With the best overall softball we seen all year and with the home stretch of season approaching, spirits are high, and the clouds are forming as another Lightning strike seems right around the corner!
Great job as always by the coaches and parents and thank you to Stratford for delivering another great weekend of ball. The next tournament for Lightning Novices will be Provincial Qualifiers in Chatham July 27th - July 29th.
Go Lightning!
Coach Kevin