Kassidy Ralfs was the story on Saturday for the Vikes, tossing a complete game in the circle for University of Victoria as they picked up an 8-4 win over UBC Okanagan. Ralfs started and finished the game, throwing all six innings and closing it out with a strikeout.
Going the distance and holding UBCO’s explosive lineup to four runs over a full game is no easy feat. But Ralfs did it while scattering eight hits and striking out three.
Offensively, UVic backed her up early. Kristen Bertelsen got things going with a three-run homer to center in the first inning, and Victoria Perry added a sacrifice fly in the second. Bertelsen finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and leadoff hitter Madison Hillman went a perfect 3-for-3.
Postgame, Ralfs broke down her approach in the circle:
“Pitch by pitch, batter by batter,” she said.
She added that she trusts in her catcher’s calling and that her defense will back her up. She also knows that giving up hits and runs is inevitable. She doesn’t let it rattle her. She knows it’s just part of the game and that her offense will also step to the plate and do their job.
When asked how she moves forward from big highs like this, she notes that the win feels good for her and her team, but tomorrow is a new day —and any team can win on any given day. You still have to show up tomorrow and grind like today’s wins never happened.
Head coach Lori Zehr pointed to the team’s overall energy as a big reason for the win. She said everyone is contributing in their own way right now, with great energy and strong bench support throughout the dugout. She also credited the defence for being steady all season, and while the offence has had its ups and downs, today the bats were clearly up.
Ralfs’ outing is exactly the kind of performance UVic will want to see more of as the season progresses. The win moves the team into a tie for first place in the league, and with performances like Saturday’s, UVic will look to hold onto that spot heading into their next games.
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