Snow, snow, go away, come again another day we want Ottawa softball back! What a crummy and long winter. After a tough, bitter and gruelling winter, there’s only one that fixes that ailment…Softball! And with spring/summer finally here, it meant one thing: Softball was back. With softball back, it also means the Suds Buds and Windmills are back too, and this year with a vengeance. Their journey this year would be a lot tougher as they were now packaged against the best of the best, but this team does not back down from a challenge and will hopefully be just as successful as last year.
BUT before we talk what may or may not be, let’s get to our first game! Softball is back again baby!
New additions to our Ottawa softball team include Brent, who replaces Jith in right field, as Jith moves to first to replace Martin, who will be sorely missed but he will continue to do the Suds Buds and Windmills proud on Fridays.
The weather curse from last year seemed to continue as strong winds gusted in, affecting some pitches on both sides of the plate and resulting in some unfortunate strikeouts; but after a chilly and gusty evening, Suds, Buds and Windmills crushed their opponents! The Royals were a friendly and positive team, but they were definitely no match for the solid hitting and solid fielding by Suds, Buds and Windmills. Eric battled the “torrential” wind with strikes left, right, and center. Fielding was on par, with timely fielding from everyone, includng some nice late hard catches, thus preventing any late rallies from the Royals. Samantha Vezina (not related to the trophy) crushed the ball in the sixth inning to earn an inside the park homerun. Her hit and speed earned her the player of the game and hopefully it is a sign of what is to come from her for the rest of the season. The team hit well around; the only blemish was two strikeouts from the the bottom of the order, but it is only the first game. If the team continues to take advantage of every bat, the team will definitely be piling on the runs.
Yes, it was an easy game against an easy team, but it is these types of games that help refine a team as they shake off the cobwebs from the winter hibernation, rebuid team chemistry, and create momentum for the next and future games. If the first game was any indication, with strong work and good effort, the Suds, Buds and Windmills will once again be a force to be reckon with this year.
Check back next week for another Ottawa softball postgame from the RA Centre softball league.