As expected, it was a tough day at the ball park for both Newfoundland and Labrador teams at the 2019 Softball Canada senior women’s fastpitch championship which kicked off in St. John’s.
Both the host Galway squad and provincial reps Animal Health Centre Wildcats from the west coast of the province lost twice on opening-day Monday for the senior women’s nationals, held in the province for the first time since 1988.
At Lions Park, Galway lost 8-4 to Quebec before dropping a 13-5 decision to Carnduff Southeast Steelers, the Saskatchewan 1 representative, following the opening ceremonies in the evening.
The Wildcats had a tougher time of it, losing both games by 10-0 scores to the Steelers and Bytown Belles, the Ontario 2 squad. Each game lasted only four innings.
Against the Steelers Wednesday night, Galway trailed 8-0 after three innings. Jenna Connolly started. Calista Corbett and Alia Stachoski also pitched. Callie Langmead had two hits for Galway.
Against Quebec, Stachoski, the import pitcher from B.C., started and lasted three innings, allowing seven runs on seventh hits. Sami Kennedy finished up.
Mikaila Etheridge, an import from Saskatchewan, had two hits for Galway.
The Wildcats lost both games by 10-0 results, with each game lasting four innings. Victors were the Saskatchewan 1 squad and the Ontario 2 team, the Bytown Belles.
Other scores Wednesday were:
Defending champs Calahoo, Alta. Erins 6, Ontario2 1
Ontario1 8, P.E.I. 1
Defending Champs Calahoo, Alta. Erins 3, Saskatchewan2 2