WCSA Playoffs Day #1

SAIT and Calgary hosted the 2022 WCSA Playoffs at Shouldice Field on October 1st and 2nd.

The double-knockout tournament began Saturday morning. #2 Victoria defeated #7 SAIT 17 to 1 in 3 innings. Numerous Victoria players had strong hitting games including Hayley Gordon (1 HR, 3 RBI), Macey Thoroughgood, Rachel Bobroske, and Alex Buckham each with 2 hits. Andi Zehr pitched 3 innings only giving up 1 run.

The upset of the morning came when #7 Lethbridge defeated #3 UBCO 5 to 3. Lethbridge pitcher Ainsley Olson pitched a great game shutting down the UBCO offense and only allowing 1 earned run.

Top seed Calgary continued their winning ways with a 6 to 5 victory over Saskatchewan. Calgary raced out to a 5 to 2 lead powered by home runs by Chloe Maher and Emma Stephens. Saskatchewan scored 3 runs in the top of the 6th to tie the game at 5. Chloe Maher hit a home run for the second time in the bottom of the 7th to win the game in a walkoff.

Victoria continued winning in their second game with a 13 to 8 victory over Lethbridge. For Lethbridge, Ali Giesbrecht hit a grand slam and Molly Mitchel had 3 RBIs. Victoria’s bats continued to be hot with 17 total hits and home runs by Devon Rees, Hayley Gordon (2), and Macey Thoroughgood.

In a bounce back game after a tough loss to Lethbridge, UBCO beat SAIT 6 to 3. SAIT had a strong pitching performance from Jayden Segstro. For UBCO, pitcher Mikhaela Muir gave up only 1 earned run, and was backed by two hits each from Kasey Wright and Cheyanne Simicak.

Regina also responded strongly to their first playoff loss with a 4 to 2 victory over Lethbridge. Tori Stelmachowich pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings for Regina and had run support from a triple by Brooke Bentz.

After a few first inning errors allowed UBCO to score 3 quick runs on Saskatchewan, their playoff game turned into a pitcher’s duel. For Saskatchewan, Martina McNeil gave up 1 earned run in 4 2/3 innings. Starting pitcher for UBCO, Sheyanne Lawrence, threw a 7 inning no-hitter and hit a double to score a run.

In the top of the playoff bracket, Victoria and Calgary met once again and played another close game. As has been typical the last few meetings, Calgary got started with an early lead of 4 to 1 with 3 runs in the bottom of the 3rd. Victoria continued its strong hitting and got 3 runs back in the top of the 4th. In the top of the 6th with the score 7 to 6 and Victoria having the bases loaded, Calgary got a pop up out to end the inning. Another close victory by Calgary!

Playoff games continue on Sunday. Calgary has earned its spot in the final, and three teams, Victoria, Regina, and UBCO, are playing for a spot in the final