MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- Thanks to a pair of commanding wins in their most recent round robin games, the Moose Jaw Ice are in contention for a playoff spot in the championship round at the Softball Canada U15 Canadian Championship.
The Ice rolled to a 9-1 win over the Westman Magic in their late game Thursday before putting up a 9-2 win over the Newfoundland Selects in their early contest Friday.
As a result, Moose Jaw now has a 3-2 record and have the inside track on finishing in the top 12, which would send them into the championship round beginning Saturday morning.
Moose Jaw 9, Westman 1
The Ice did all their damage in two innings, putting up five runs in the third and another four in the fifth to secure the mercy-rule win.
That was more than enough for Moose Jaw pitchers Avery Garthus and Kenzi Hildebrand, who held the Magic to only four hits total. Garthus started and allowed a single unearned run in the fourth, giving up two hits and striking out three over 3 ⅓ innings. Hildebrand finished things off, giving up a pair of hits.
Taryn Friesen led the way at the plate with a 3-for-4 showing that included a run scored and a pair of RBI, while Charlize Hillmer was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Callie Bell also had two hits in four trips to the plate.
Ivy Fry scored the lone run for Westman; Katie Bell had two of their hits.
Addison Nikkel started for the Magic and allowed seven runs, three earned, on eight hits over 4 ⅔, while Paige Rampton gave up two runs on three hits in the fifth.
Moose Jaw 9, Newfoundland 2
Steady offence was Moose Jaw’s key to success in their game Friday morning, as they broke a 2-2 draw in the first inning with single runs in the second and third, three in the fourth and another two in the fifth for the mercy-rule victory.
Friesen had a perfect game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Callie Bell was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI, while Hillmer and Tara Bell were each 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Aurora Wingebach went four innings and after giving up a pair of runs in the first was lights out, scattering three hits and striking out five the rest of the way. Hildebrand capped the contest with a scoreless fifth.
Shyanne Smith was 2-for-3 with a run scored for Newfoundland, Alison Piercy scored their other run.
Claire Starpp started for the Selects, giving up four runs on seven hits in three innings; Madison Dwyer allowed five runs on eight hits over the final two frames.
The Ice will have a tough task in their final round robin game as they face the unbeaten B.C. champion Abbotsford Outlaws at 2:30 p.m. A win there automatically sends the local crew into the championship round, a loss will see the results of other preliminary round games factor into whether or not they move on to the medal round.
