Ottawa Valley Attack showing power
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Posted 7 months ago
The OK Tire sponsored girl's fastball team from the Valley headed to Mississauga recently for their third tournament of the season. Another silver medal finish in a tough 16-team event proved how consistent the team can play against strong competition.
In their first game Friday afternoon against the Brampton Blazers, the Attack produced a fine 7-3 win. Pitcher Jean Cardona threw a four-hitter, striking out seven and held the Blazers to three runs in picking up the win. Offensively, the Attack used the long ball to produce their runs hitting a team record five home runs. Emily Kennedy, Tawny Godin, Bella Giuliano, Aisha O'Connor and Grace Lonergan hit the round-trippers for the Attack.
Game two on Friday evening saw the Attack hammer the Lynx des Laurentide Cadette 19 -2 in three innings. Aisha O'Connor picked up the win, allowing three hits and striking out three. The team scored early and often against the outmatched Lynx. Kennedy had three hits in the game while Morgan Cameron, Hayley Gould and Catherine Chisnell had two hits apiece.
In their third game Saturday morning the Attack rolled to a 9- 0 win over the Whitby Eagles. Cardona was the winning pitcher throwing a one-hitter while striking out 10 batters. Catcher Grace Lonergan threw out the only runner to reach base as she was trying to steal second. Offensively, Cardona had the big bat going three-for-three with three RBI. Godin contributed another home run and Kiley O'Connor added a triple for the winners.
In the Saturday evening game, the girls faced the Napanee Express which was also undefeated at 3-0. A. O'Connor was in the circle for the Attack and claimed a 6-3 win. She gave up five hits while striking out two Express batters. Left fielder Kennedy made a fine play throwing out a Napanee runner at home to end the fourth inning. Lonergan had a fine game reaching base all three times and scoring two runs. A. O'Connor, K. O'Connor, Cameron and Godin also crossed the plate for the Attack.
On Sunday morning the girls met the Enniskillen Express in a quarterfinal game. Cardona picked up where she left off and produced another win, allowing four runs on five hits in the 5-4 victory. Cameron snagged a line drive at second base with runners on to end the third inning. Lonergan scored two runs and hit a two-run home run for the Attack. A. O'Connor, Giuliano and Emily Atkinson-Jones also scored runs, while Godin had two RBIs and Kelly Meek contributed a sacrifice bunt.
In the semi-final on Sunday afternoon the Attack had their hands full with Napanee. A. O'Connor threw a gem in the 3-1 win, allowing seven hits and striking out five Express batters. In this game there were three fine defensive plays made to support O'Connor. Godin made a fine running catch in centrefield, Cardona went into the hole at short for another out and Kennedy stabbed a sharp grounder at third and threw out the lead runner at second. On offence Cardona was 2 for 2 with a home run and had all three RBIs for the Attack.
The tournament final featured a rematch of the Halton Hills tournament final with the London Lightning facing the Attack again. This time the Lightning would not be denied as they won gold with a 10-3 win. Cardona suffered the loss in a rainy final game that was not as well-played as the rest of the tournament. A diving stop of a ball between short and third by A. O'Connor stopped one London rally but the Lightning remained the hungrier team. Offensively, A. O'Connor, Lonergan and Godin all had a multiple hits in the game and scored the three runs for the Valley girls.
It was another good tournament for the team that has produced one gold and two silver finishes in their first three tournaments. The team now boasts a 22 wins, six losses and two-tie record and is ranked in the top three of the Bantam II provincial standings. Their next action is this weekend (July 3-5) in Palmerston.
