Opening Weekend Recap
/ GPLS.ca | 9:20 A
GPLS Opening weekend recap
Mother Nature didn’t want to fully cooperate during the opening weekend of Girls Prairie League Softball, as games had to be pushed back and some cancelled, due to more than a few puddles on the field.
However, there were enough breaks to get a good amount of games in, as Morinville hosted 26 ‘A’ division teams, while Irma played host to 35 ‘B’ teams.
A Division
In the U16A Division, the Prince Albert Aces came away with a perfect 3-0 record over the weekend, scoring 22 runs, while allowing only seven. The Aces picked up a 12-1 victory over last year’s U16 champions, the Calgary Adrenaline, while they edged out the Calgary Kaizen 7-5.
Meanwhile, the Red Deer Rage went 2-1 over the weekend to come away with the Lawrick Division lead, losing only to the Aces, 3-1, while shutting out the Lloydminster Liners 4-0.
In U14A play, the Sherwood Park Storm 03 and Calgary Kaizen hold top spots in their division, finishing the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record each. Sherwood Park scored 41 runs in their three games, opening the weekend with a 13-5 victory over the Edmonton Rivercity. Meanwhile, Calgary was making it easy on their batters, as over their three games they allowed only a single run, as they shut out the Sherwood Park Storm 04 15-0, and the Lloydminster Liners 03 10-0.
Finally, in U12 competition, the Lloydminster Liners came away with a 3-1 record to hold the top spot over the weekend, getting into close run games with Sherwood Park, Red Deer and Calgary, while also tying St. Albert 3-3.
B Division
The host Irma Tigers made it easy for their hometown fans to be excited, as the U18B Tigers won all four of their games played, scoring 52 runs. A 2-1 victory over the Unity Panthers was as close as anyone would get to the Tigers to open the season, as Irma went on to three one-sided victories to start the season on top of the U18B Division.
In the U16B Division, the Calahoo Erins and Central Alberta Impact both went three-for-three to open the season, with Calahoo picking up close victories in all three games by two or three runs. The Impact blanked the Red Deer Rage in their last game of the weekend, as their 34 runs scored was the most in the division.
It’s a three way race in the U14B division after the first three games of the season, as the Calahoo Erins, Olds Pistols and Unity Panthers 03 each came away with perfect 3-0 starts, scoring over 30 runs each, while limiting opponents to under 15 runs. With North Battleford and Sedgewick at 2-1 as well, it will be a competitive season in the U14 league.
Finally, in U12B, the Red Deer Rage are 3-0 to start, scoring 10 runs or more in each of their games, including a 11-1 victory over the Irma Tigers.
It’s still very early, however, and with plenty of games needed to be made up, it’s a long way away from crowning any GPLS champion this early in the season.
If you have an interesting softball story to share, please email a.brethauer@gpls.ca
