The inaugural clashes of the 2023 WCSA season ignited the fields of Saskatoon from August 25th to 27th, painting the skies with a vivid display of softball prowess. The batters roared to life, unleashing a spectacular barrage of 11 awe-inspiring home runs, setting the stage for a weekend brimming with explosive showdowns and towering scores.
The opening act on Friday night was nothing short of a heart-pounding spectacle as Regina and Saskatchewan locked horns, pushing the game into the bonus innings. A nail-biting duel ensued, and in the eighth inning, Regina summoned a fierce surge, notching an impressive 5 runs, while Saskatchewan valiantly replied with 4, culminating in a riveting finale of 10 to 9 in favor of Regina.
The WCSA welcomed Mount Royal University to its ranks, and the newcomers wasted no time etching their name onto the league’s annals. With sheer determination, they secured their maiden victories against SAIT (8-4) and Saskatchewan (6-5). Emma Hache emerged as a batting sensation, boasting a remarkable .667 average for MRU. The weekend festivities resonated with triumph as every participating team savored the sweetness of victory, foreshadowing an intense and relentless competition throughout the season. SAIT managed to clinch a hard-fought triumph over Lethbridge, sealing an 8 to 7 victory, propelled by Annika Ferguson’s extraordinary weekend performance, orchestrating 4 RBIs and crossing the plate 5 times. Lethbridge, however, carved their own path to glory with triumphant conquests over Regina (7-1) and MRU (6-2). Katelyn Jeglum hammered two home runs.
Sunday morning’s clash was the epicenter of excitement, with both Victoria and Calgary boasting unblemished records at 3-0. The contest unfurled as a grand symphony of runs, with Victoria ultimately reigning supreme at 10 to 6, leaving an indelible mark as the front-runners of the season. The weekend triumph was an orchestration of collective brilliance, as 7 of Victoria’s batters soared above the .400 mark, led by the masterful bat of Alex Buckham, who tallied an impressive 8 hits. Calgary, not to be outshone, paraded a formidable lineup from the previous year, with standout performances by Chloe Maher, Emma Stephens, and Megan Stevens, cementing their position as contenders to be reckoned with.
For those hungry for more details, comprehensive game results and statistics can be found on GameChanger. Brace yourselves for an exhilarating rendezvous as the WCSA spectacle unfolds in Calgary this weekend. The stage is set, and the saga continues. Check out the schedule for the league games.
Standings after the first weekend:
| Team | W | L | T | Win % |
| Victoria | 5 | 0 | 1.000 | |
| Calgary | 4 | 1 | 0.800 | |
| Regina | 3 | 2 | 0.600 | |
| UBC Okanagan | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | |
| Lethbridge | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | |
| Mount Royal | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | |
| SAIT | 1 | 4 | 0.200 | |
| Saskatchewan | 1 | 5 | 0.167 |
